CIAS 2017: GPF1 CANADA 50 YEARS

There were 8 cars to be seen, 2 of which are particularly interesting from the point of view of the history of the Villeneuve clan who took the opportunity to present us never seen pictures of their personal collection signed "Villeneuve Automotive Museum", a nomenclature that will be explained on another publication.

The oldest one of the single-seaters on display was a 1961 Cooper T-51, led by Bruce McLaren (8th in the 1961 Drivers' Championship), representing the period 1961-1966 during which an F1 race was done in Canada and was not officialised by the FIA. 

It was not until 1967, at the 100th anniversary of Confederation, that the Grand Prix of Canada was officially added to the Formula 1 world championship FIA calendar.

During the 1970s, Formula 1 had a look of a big-tire car and a big air intake located just above the pilot seats.

The single-seater of the Vel's Parnelli Jones team was entrusted to Mario Andretti, who was racing his first full season in Formula 1, finishing in 14th place in the drivers' championship in 1975.

In 1977, a newly formed Canadian-owned team entered the F1 circus, Walter Wolf Racing. The only car was entrusted to the pilot Jody Schekter.

Wolf Racing won the first race of the season and the last Canadian Grand Prix raced in Mosport that same year.

The most memorable of the cars that Gilles Villeneuve drove is the Ferrari 312 T3, the one with which he had his first victory in F1 during the Canadian Grand Prix.

Villeneuve finished the season in 9th place in the drivers' championship in 1978.

What a great way to start with an all canadian victory over the new Montreal circuit!

First of the the 1980's F1 race cars on display, the Lotus 99T 1987 driven by Ayrton Senna, a pilot called the magician, will only be the shadow of what it was in 1986.

Senna will finish the season in 3rd place of the drivers' championship in 1987.

The Grand Prix of Canada was not run in 1987 due to a dispute between two sponsors.

Nigel Mansell was driving a Scuderia Ferrari single-seater in 1989 and 1990. His Canadian races ended in disqualification in 1989 and 3rd place in 1990.

Mansel finished 4th in the 1989 championship with the 640 and 5th in the 1990 with the Ferrari 641.

1992 saw the appearance of the next magician who will be called the "Kaiser", a German driver name Michael Schumacher.

He arrives at Benneton Ford after a race with the Jordan racing team. A glorious career began, winning 2 championships in 1994 and 1995.

Schumacher finished the Montreal race in second position and climbed to the 3rd level of the championship of the drivers championship of 1992.

Last but not least is the William FW19 with which Jacques Villeneuve won the drivers' championship in 1997. 

Villeneuve took the start of the Grand Prix du Canada in 2nd place on the grid and was involved in an accident during the second lap of the race.

A RISKY HIT

There is even the scratch left by the Schumacher wheel at the last Grand Prix of the season held in Jerez, Spain.

The championship was decided during that historic race with the 3 first drivers o the grid getting the exact same qualification time.

The current Canadian Grand Prix trophy is composed of 8 copies of the Gilles Villeneuve circuit layout cut from a metal plate and circularly assembled on a cylindrical wooden base.

A personalized automotive portrait signed by Alain Lemire offers a unique way to celebrate and immortalize your beloved vehicle.

The high-end printed printed piece of art thus reflects your special bond with it, prompting praise and questions from visitors about the work, a daily source of inspiration, recalling your passions and successes.

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