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Canada Track Guide

Friday 1 June 2012 14:44, UK

  1. Image: The man made Island of Île Notre-Dame, on the St. Lawrence River, is home to the Canadian Grand Prix.
  2. Image: Surrounded by water and twisting through the Parc Jean-Drapeau the track has a fantastic setting.
  3. Image: The start line says "Salut Gilles" meaning "Hello Gilles" a tribute to the Canadian F1 driver who the circuit is named after.
  4. Image: As the cars head away from the grid, incidents before they even reach turn 1 are not uncommon.
  5. Image: The cars swing left through the 90 degree corner, before entering the turn two hairpin.
  6. Image: This area is notorious for boxing up at the start of a race.
  7. Image: The pitlane exit also feeds into the middle of turn 2 meaning a battle here can start mid corner.
  8. Image: As the track is rarely used this a corner were cars usually struggle for grip.
  9. Image: The cars then race up to turns 3 and 4, which is the first of four chicanes on the track.
  10. Image: The walll is tight to the outside of turn 4, just like a street circuit...
  11. Image: ...And has collected many a car over the years.
  12. Image: Turn 5 is a fast sweeping right hander, leading into the breaking zone for the second chicane.
  13. Image: The first part, turn 6, is a left hander and another overtaking spot.
  14. Image: Turn 7 requires a good exit for the sprint up to the third chicane.
  15. Image: Turns 8 and 9 make up quite a quick chicane, but there is still a chance to dive up the inside.
  16. Image: Drivers have to carry as much speed as possible on the exit, as it leads onto the run to the hairpin.
  17. Image: Turn 10 is one of the best overtaking spots on the track and is surrounded by grandstands - this is a great place to watch from.
  18. Image: The exact dimensions of this corner were replicated on the new Snetterton 300 circuit in Norfolk.
  19. Image: The cars then flick left on the exit, which is where the DRS detection zone was in 2011...
  20. Image: ...And onto the long back straight....
  21. Image: ...Which leads to the final turns - 14 and 15.
  22. Image: The final chicane provides another overtaking chance.
  23. Image: But look out for in the infamous wall on the outside.
  24. Image: The "Wall of Champions" has claimed many a victim over the years...
  25. Image: ...Including Jenson Button...
  26. Image: ...And Sebastian Vettel.
  27. Image: Downtown Montreal fully embraces the F1 weekend.
  28. Image: And a passionate crowd...
  29. Image: ...Packs the grandstands...
  30. Image: ...Even in the rain
  31. Image: A constant supply of beer keeps the fans in good spirits.
  32. Image: And even the Mounties make an apperance.