Wall of Champions: How Canadian Grand Prix feature gained its fearsome name

The “Wall of Champions” at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the final-chicane barrier where even Formula 1 world champions have crashed at the Canadian Grand Prix.

It sits on the exit of the tight right-left chicane onto the pit straight, where the lack of run-off leaves no margin for error.

What makes the Wall of Champions so difficult?

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The Wall of Champions is named for the number of Formula 1 world champions who have crashed at the final chicane at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

It is a concrete barrier that stands just two metres from the edge of the track at the final corner complex, requiring both extreme commitment and precision, with the wall waiting on driver’s right to punish the smallest of mistakes.

Its difficulty comes from a high-speed approach into the final chicane and heavy braking at the end of the long straight, where drivers must attack the kerbs while keeping the car balanced on exit.

With minimal run-off and a concrete barrier just two metres from the track edge, even a slight misjudgement of braking point or steering input can send drivers into the wall on the exit.

How did the Wall of Champions get its name?

The Wall of Champions earned its name at the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix after three Formula 1 world champions hit the barrier at the final chicane in the same race, alongside FIA GT champion Ricardo Zonta.

On lap 14, the Jordan of 1996 World Champion, Damon Hill, suffered a snap of oversteer and his right-rear wheel caught the edge of the barrier.

“I lost control of the vehicle and hit the wall, there’s nothing more to it than that,” he observed after his retirement.

Michael Schumacher also fell foul, sliding into the wall on Lap 29, with both right-hand tyres becoming dislodged from his Ferrari.

“It was very clearly a mistake by myself,” the then-double World Champion admitted.

“I seem to make one a year, and I hope that is the last one I make this year.”

Five laps later, 1997 World Champion, Jacques Villeneuve, understeered into retirement.

“Some drivers cut it pretty hard and there’s a lot of sand going on the track,” he said.

“So if you’re just a little bit wide, you lose a lot of grip – and it’s the same for everybody.”

The Wall of Champions has also caught out world champions such as Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button.

It has also punished race-winning contenders like Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri, as well as rising drivers including Ollie Bearman.

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