The eighth grand prix of the 2023 F1 season sees Oscar take on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as it hosts the Canadian Grand Prix for the 42nd time. Here’s your OP lowdown ahead of Sunday’s race.

• This will be the third track so far this season that Oscar has never raced at before after Melbourne and Miami
• The race will consist of 70 laps of the 4.361km track with 6 left-handers and 8 right-handers
• Oscar visited Montreal for last year’s Grand Prix in his reserve driver role
• The circuit hosted the longest race in F1 history back in 2011 when McLaren’s Jenson Button won after four hours, four minutes and 39 seconds
• The Canadian Grand Prix runs around the man-made Île Notre-Dame that was constructed to host the Expo 67 World Fair
• Circuit Gilles Villeneuve first hosted an F1 Grand Prix in 1978 but was known as Circuit Île Notre-Dame until 1982
• The lap’s final sector runs parallel to the Bassin Olympique which acted as a rowing venue during the 1976 Summer Olympic Games
• After the passing of Canadian F1 driver, Gilles Villeneuve, at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix, the circuit was renamed in his honour

On Canadian wildfires…

“It’s been awful to see the damage and destruction that the wildfires have been causing. My thoughts are with all those affected and the emergency services who are working so bravely.

Australia has been affected in the past and I sincerely hope the wildfires can be brought under control as soon as possible.”

On Montreal…

“I visited last year as a reserve driver and it’s an awesome city. This is a race that all the drivers enjoy because the support and interest amongst the fans is huge and the whole city gets behind the event.

I’m really looking forward to returning, spending some more time in Canada and embracing the atmosphere.”

On Circuit Gilles Villeneuve…

“It’s a fast, low-downforce track with quite a few heavy-breaking chicanes. There are also the walls which means any mistakes are punished.

The layout lends itself to pretty good racing and there is usually some overtaking. From the simulator, it seems there is a nice flow to it so, I’m looking forward to getting going.”