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F1 Grand Prix du Canada 2023 celebrates the 45th anniversary of the inaugural race in Montreal, which is famously remembered as the first triumph of the beloved local legend, Gilles Villeneuve.

Interests in our Grand Prix remain high as the popular Netflix F1 documentary series “Drive To Survive” is currently filming its sixth season, and has provided an insider look into F1’s personalities and rivalries.

When asked about the effect of the series, Francois Dumontier, president and CEO of the Canadian GP promoter Octane Racing Group told autosport.com: “It did help us also, by bringing new clients to the track, or a segmentation of people that we wanted. So I think it’s great.”

Organizers from Melbourne to Miami have broken records in attendance this year. Melbourne announced a F1’s all-time record crowd of 446,331 over four days, while the second edition of the three-day Miami Grand Prix welcomed 270,000 fans in April.

Montreal is right between Melbourne and Miami in terms of the absolute number of people attending, and we are on cusp to welcome more than the 338,000-strong crowd in the first post-pandemic race last year.

All eyes will be on Montreal-native F1 driver Lance Stroll as he aims to make history by becoming the first Canadian to win a home Grand Prix since 1978. Representing Aston Martin, the 24-year-old’s chance of victory in the 58thrunning of the Grand Prix is bolstered by the team’s impressive performance improvements so far this season.

Fernando Alonso, the Aston Martin’s lead driver, has finished in the top three in all races bar Baku and Barcelona. The team’s newfound confidence is palpable.

The resurgence of Aston Martin, arguably having the second-best car in AMR23 behind the dominant Red Bull RB19, adds another layer of excitement and possibilities to local fans. And there are reasonable hopes that the son of a billionaire can at least better his personal best result better than ninth at the renowned track in Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Previously the only Grand Prix in North America, the Canadian GP, which is held on an island in Montreal’s Saint Lawrence River, seems to attract more customers from outside the province, as Dumontier explained to autosport.com.

“Last year we had 57% of our clients who are not from province. So this is why we are the biggest sporting and tourism event in the country.”

A previous study on the 2019 event found that 52% were from outside Quebec, and that 66% of visitors came from outside Montreal. Hosting such events attract tourism, creating a surge in hotel bookings, restaurant visits and related spending in general.

According to the CBC, Tourime Montréal, Société du parc Jean-Drapeau and the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada published a study last year that found the event’s economic impact on the gross domestic product (GDP) was C$63.2 million. And as per Montreal Gazette, the GDP for the 2015 edition only amounted to C$42.4 million in contrast.

It is expected for more than 100,000 fans per day to open their wallet and to pay to see their grand prix heroes. The event’s official website showed that three-day and Sunday general admission tickets are sold out a day before practice starts on Friday, with prices for three days ranging from C$295 to C$995.

All eight types of suites, priced from C$2,575 to C$125,000 were listed as sold out on the event’s website on May 18, 2023. But some, available on resale sites, are not for the faint of heart, with prices ranging from around C$3,500 to C$22,850 per ticket.

Hotels in downtown Montreal are cashing in as well, with rooms priced C$400 per night mostly sold out a month ago. Hotels.com were asking from C$1,000 for a double room in an airport hotel to $6,000 a day for a downtown suite.

The Canadian Grand Prix carries a rich and storied legacy, with its inception dating back to 1967. Throughout the years, the event has witnessed inspiring racing moments, iconic drivers and unforgettable battles.

From Gilles Villeneuve’s emotional victory in 1978 to the exhilarating clashes between Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost in the 1990s, the Montreal race always remains one of fans’ favorites.

Yet with F1 in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas attracting substantial investments and offering world-class events, Montreal does face legit challenges in a landscape of more fierce competition and opportunities at the same time.

Dumontier said when asked by autosport.com about competition: “I feel the pressure.

“It’s a good thing to have good competition. At the same time, I think at over 23 or 24 races, you need to have variety and different types of circuit.”

In this weekend’s race, drivers will complete 70 laps, covering a distance of 305.27km with top qualifying speed over 330kph. The circuit, known for its speed and lesser aerodynamic drag, is highly favored by drivers. Notably the circuit’s most famous feature is the Wall of Champions, named after Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill whose cars all kissed the wall during the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

The eighth race of this season will be held in Jun 16-18 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal.