Memorable Canada: Part 2

Read the first part here: Memorable Canada: Part 1

With the tracks in Canada having always been a bit on the edge considering the safety standards in the sport, there have been quite a few accidents in the past. In fact, two of the tracks were discontinued just on safety grounds and that is where we begin this part of taking a look into the more serious and controversial incidents:-

Safety first

Both Mont-Tremblant and Mosport Park held races in the late 60′s and early 70′s but the governing body decided that the circuits were not safe by Formula One standards and thus, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been hosting the race since 1978, with two breaks in between. In the earlier years, the Canadian Grand Prix was held in October and, therefore, the authorities were concerned that the winter was making the Mont-Tremblant track too bumpy and resulting in high tyre wear. On the other hand, the Mosport Park circuit was prevented from hosting a race 1978 onwards just because it was deemed too dangerous for the drivers.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve experiences its first fatality

Riccardo Paletti died after a huge crash during the 1982 race, which was ironically the same year Gilles Villeneuve died and the track was renamed in his honour. Luckily, that is the only fatal accident at the circuit in more than three decades of racing.

No race in Canada

The race was struck off the F1 calendar in the years 1975, 1987 and 2009. For two of the three years, one person- Bernie Ecclestone – was behind the race cancellations. Both times, the race organisers didn’t agree to the increased fee demands from Ecclestone. In 1975, as a FOCA representative, he decided that FOCA teams wouldn’t attend the race; while in 2009, as F1 supremo, he straightaway decided to cancel the race. The only other time it was not held, in 1987, was due to a dispute between two local liquor makers Labatt and Molson.

The 2004 race controversy

The 2004 Canadian Grand Prix was jeopardised by the enforcement of tough laws against tobacco advertising in the country. In those days, tobacco companies were major sponsors for many of the top teams. Initially, Bernie Ecclestone called the race off. To prevent huge losses, the race organisers paid a significant amount of money to the teams with tobacco sponsors to compensate for those companies’ revenue loss for not being able to advertise. Finally the race went forward smoothly.

Robert Kubica‘s huge shunt

No doubt one of the biggest accidents in recent years. After colliding with Jarno Trulli in the 2007 race, the Pole was launched into the air after running off the track into the grass on the right. He collided heavily with the barriers on the right side of the track, his car somersaulted a few times and finally came to rest against the barriers on the left near the Virage du Casino hairpin. The driver’s escape with only a sprained knee shows how big an improvement there has been in safety down the years.

Wall of Champions

The wall on the outside of the final corner of a lap around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has claimed many drivers in the past. Although no injury has been very serious due to the reduced speed of the cars because of the presence of a chicane, drivers trying to be too aggressive have not been spared. The list goes long with many world champions having lost it there- Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill in 1999; Jenson Button in 2005 and Sebastian Vettel in 2011.

Although the Canadian Grand Prix has not claimed lives of many drivers unlike other tracks, it still has its fair share of contentious incidents. But it is and will remain one of the most loved race weekends on the calendar with the excellent atmosphere and fans playing a huge role in that.