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Behind the scenes at the Canadian Grand Prix

Mingling with the one-percent and Formula One's elite in Montreal

David Miller
Published: June 13, 2016, 12:05 PM
Updated: June 21, 2016, 3:29 PM

A weekend with the one-percent

We take a look at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal from the elite paddock where the “who's who” get to mingle with the teams and drivers of Formula One.   Words and pictures by David Miller ▲

A lot of F1 history in Montreal

The first Formula One race in Montreal was won by Canadian racing legend Gilles Villeneuve back in 1978. In 1982, following his tragic death at the Belgian Grand Prix, the track was renamed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.   Other notable winners have included: Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Mika Häkkinen. Schumacher has the most wins in Montreal with seven, followed by Lewis Hamilton with four going into this race.  ▲

More than just a race

The Canadian Grand Prix is more than just a race in Montreal, it’s a cultural happening. The European-styled city comes alive throughout the weekend turning it into a world fair with multiple parties that cause the closure of several popular streets to celebrate Formula One. Many of these parties are hosted by the teams or sponsors with plenty of vehicles on display.   The streets are filled throughout the days and the nights with fans dressed for success or wearing their favourite driver or racing teams' apparel. ▲

The Paddock Club

The Paddock Club is where the elite or the lucky few get to hang out throughout the weekend. There's a main VIP Paddock Club section, as well as separate teams’ paddocks where you can enjoy the race with a view from above the start/finish line and pit lane. But the Paddock Club offers much more than watching the racing action.  ▲

A taste of the good life

You can get a taste of the good life there, with lounge chairs, jumbo television screens and a feast worthy of a five-star restaurant, complete with champagne, cocktails, shrimp, prime rib and gelato. ▲

Montreal always attracts A-list celebrities

A-list celebrities typically flock to the Canadian Grand Prix on an annual basis and 2016 was no exception. Four-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady of the NFL's New England Patriots was on hand as a guest of Red Bull Racing. We caught his first meeting with Lewis Hamilton, where they exchanged pics, sent praise to one another and talked about how they owned the same jacket. Brady also met with McLaren's Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. ▲

More star power in the paddock

Last year, it was Al Pacino who graced the paddock when presented a key to the city. For 2016, it was Hollywood power couple Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem that took in the race. Before it started, they chatted with fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso as the drivers gathered for the pre-race parade.   Also taking in the race was actor Michael Douglas, who ran the post-race interviews with the top-three. ▲

Access to drivers

Having access to the paddock club is one thing, but having access to the rest of the paddock is another. This is the area where you get a chance to see the Formula One drivers, team members and celebrities. They can be spotted walking around from the team's respective areas on the grounds, and if you're lucky you can get them to sign an autograph, take a picture or selfie and even have a quick chat. Don't expect Kimi Raikkonen to smile, however! ▲

Signature and a smile

Red Bull’s Daniel Riccardio is more likely to reward fans with a smile as well as an autograph. ▲

Inside the garage

All paddock club pass holders have the opportunity to walk the pits for a few scheduled sessions, but if you're lucky you will be able to gain access into an actual team's garage. I was lucky to be inside Renault Sport's garage during the second practice session on Friday. It was the most exclusive Formula One look I've ever had, providing an opportunity to see how the team functions and works together during a race weekend when it counts the most. ▲

Drivers arrive

It's always a special part of Sunday morning to see the drivers arrive. Most of them park their respective vehicles across the Olympic Basin and walk the plank on route to the paddock area. It's a great chance to grab a look at your favourite drivers before they get into race mode. ▲

Past champions on hand

As you walk up and down the paddock some familiar faces will cross your path, including several past champions. It's a lot easier to chat and take pictures with these heroes that include Niki Lauda…   ▲

Sir Jackie Stewart

Three-time World Champion, former team owner and long-time drivers’ safety advocate, Sir Jackie Stewart… ▲

Jacques Villeneuve

… and Canada’s only World Champion – as well as Indy 500 winner – Jacques Villeneuve. ▲

Usual paddock faces

There are several Formula One superfans that come to each race around the globe, but none more recognizable than Moko, a Senegalese native that lives and breathes Formula One. Moko knows most of the drivers, even getting autographs of some of the newcomers like 18-year old Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing.  ▲

Bernie Ecclestone

Of course, Formula One major domo Bernie Ecclestone was there. He’s 85 years old but he’s still very much in control of the show. ▲

Crazy crowds

As you move away from the paddock and pit area, you start to notice the sheer volume of people that surround the 4.361 km of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. It's hard to walk around and find a spot to watch, but that's just part of the Formula One weekend as you mingle with fans from other countries and supporters of various teams. It's a true global affair, but one vastly different and more crowded than the security and quiet surroundings found in the paddock area. ▲

Pole-winner Lewis Hamilton

Last year’s Canadian GP winner, and World Champion, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton edged out his teammate, Nico Rosberg to win pole position in qualifying on Saturday. Hamilton, from the U.K., has all but made Montreal his second home with four victories out of eight previous career races. ▲

Championship leader Nico Rosberg

While Hamilton won the last race, in Monaco, Rosberg has won four times this year and led the championship standings by 24 points over Hamilton going into Montreal. ▲

Sebastian Vettel

Starting third on the grid was four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, whose Ferrarii seems to be have closed the gap on the pace-setting Mercedes cars. ▲

The race

All of which was background for the race, which is what everyone in the stands and the paddock came to see. Not surprisingly, perhaps, the Mercedes drivers Hamilton and Rosberg had a coming together on the first turn of the race. This isn't the first time these two have tussled. Two races prior at the Spanish Grand Prix, they started one-two on the grid but took each other out on Turn 3 of the first lap. ▲

Ferrari surprise

More surprisingly, especially to Hamilton, Vettel passed him on the outside in the first turn and pulled out a substantial lead until he made his first pit stop for fresh tires. ▲

Colour and spectacle

Among the most colourful cars on the track were the Renault-powered Red Bulls and their sister Toro Rossos, which shared similar paint schemes. ▲

Expect the unexpected

Montreal historically has had its fair share of surprises, including wildlife. On occasion, the race has seen groundhogs venture onto the track. This year, it was a few stubborn pigeons that caught the eye of Vettel, causng him to lock up his brakes, which cost him some valuable time. ▲

Hamilton wins again

In the end it wasn’t the pigeons but a second pit stop that cost Vettel the win, however. Hamilton made do with just one stop and finished first, claiming his fifth Canadian Grand Prix victory. Vettel was second and Rosberg clawed his way up to fifth after falling well back due to the Mercedes duo’s first-lap incident. After the Canadian Grand Prix, Rosberg leads Hamilton in the driver's championship by just nine points (116-107). ▲

Canadian hopeful

There hasn't been a Canadian driver on a Formula One grid since Jacques Villeneuve's retirement in 2006. But 20-year old Nicholas Latifi may have a shot at changing that stat as he is one of the current test drivers for Renault Sport. Latifi is expected to have his first test session with the team later this year, but for now he has his sights set on winning in GP2, which can only raise his stock and profile. ▲
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