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The Canadian GP will take place this weekend, but when was F1 first held in Montreal and who won the first race in the North American state?
Following a stunning race in Azerbaijan last week, Formula 1 action moves to North America this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix. The venue for the race is the iconic Gilles Villeneuve circuit.
The first annual motor racing event held in Canada took place in 1961 but the inaugural F1 race in Canada was held in 1967. Since then, there have been 56 F1 races held in Canada.
The Canadian GP was initial staged at Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario before alternating between Mosport and Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Quebec since the F1 chiefs made the decision. Due to certain safety concerns the races were held only in Mosport from 1971 until 1977.
Since 1978, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island in Montreal has been hosting the F1 events due to similar safety concerns at Mostport. Hence, the first time F1 raced in Montreal was in 1978.
The first Canadian GP, which was held on August 27, 1967, was won by Jack Brabham, who raced for Brabham-Repco at the time. It was the 8th race of the 11 scheduled races that were to take place that year. The late Australian racer won a total of 14 F1 races in his career and 3 Drivers’ Championships as well.
Brabham finished ahead of compatriot Denny Hulme and Dan Gurney at the first Candaian GP, who completed the two other podium places.
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