1996 Canadian Grand Prix

The XXXIV Grand Prix Molson du Canada, otherwise known as the 1996 Canadian Grand Prix, was the eighth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on the 16 June 1996.'Canadian GP, 1996', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr589.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019) The race would see teammates Damon Hill and Canada's newest hero Jacques Villeneuve duel for victory, with the Brit ultimately coming out on top.
Hill would deliver the first blow of the weekend, securing pole position ahead of the Canadian racer in qualifying by just 0.020s. Best of the rest proved to be defending Champion Michael Schumacher in his , a tenth behind, before a gap back to fourth placed Jean Alesi.
Williams would start the race as favourites, with the fans having an undoubted favourite of their own. However, Hill had convinced the Williams team to put him on a different strategy, gambling on a low-fuel first stint in hopes of breaking away from the Canadian racer early on.
Ultimately it was Villeneuve who made the better getaway, although Hill acted quickly to seize the inside line and prevent the Canadian racer front lunging past. With that Hill was away, opening out a two second lead on the opening lap as Villeneuve was left to fend off the advances of Alesi.
Villeneuve too would soon break away from the rest of the pack, with the gap between himself and Hill stabilising at eleven seconds. Schumacher, meanwhile, had been forced to start from the back after stalling on the dummy grid, meaning he was fighting his way up from the back of the field.
Hill made his first stop on lap 28, with Villeneuve inheriting a seven second lead which would remain until the Canadian made his first, and only stop, a few laps later. Hill duly pushed on to build an advantage big enough to make his second stop without losing the lead, knowing that Villeneuve would have to nurse his tyres to make the finish.
As their strategic duel worked itself out there were changes behind, albeit largely due to retirement rather than action. Indeed, the latest battle would end in familiar fashion, Gerhard Berger once again spinning himself out, while Rubens Barrichello lost a promising fourth when his clutch failed. Schumacher, meanwhile, would get as high as tenth before his race stalled, a driveshaft failing as he pulled out of the pits.
Back with the leaders and Hill's push had worked beautifully, the Brit emerging from his second stop with ten seconds between himself and Villeneuve. With that the fight for victory was effectively over, although the French-Canadian did his best to raise his supporter's hopes.
Indeed, a thrilling series of fastest laps saw Villeneuve obliterate the gap between himself and Hill, with just a second separating them with a few laps to go. However, Hill would react and keep his teammate at bay, and duly collected victory to deny Villeneuve a famous victory on the circuit named for his father.
Behind them to complete the podium was a lonely Alesi, while David Coulthard was the last man on the lead lap for . Mika Häkkinen and Martin Brundle then completed the points scorers, with Johnny Herbert and Giancarlo Fisichella the only other finishers.
==Background==
Damon Hill had seen his Championship lead marginally eroded as a result of the rain in Spain, although he still held a daunting seventeen point advantage. Two drivers were now within that margin, with Michael Schumacher having moved level with Jacques Villeneuve in second, although was counted behind by virtue of the Canadian ace having one eleventh place finish. Behind, Jean Alesi was back up to fourth ahead of Olivier Panis, with sixteen drivers on the score sheet.
In the Constructors Championship it had been another neutral day for , who ended the weekend on 69 points at the head of the field. were still their closest challengers, and had reduced the gap to 34 points, still more that two entire weekend's worth of points. , meanwhile, had made a little ground in third ahead of , while completed the top five.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
2 	Eddie Irvine 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
4 	Gerhard Berger 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
5 	Damon Hill 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
8 	David Coulthard 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
9 	Olivier Panis 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
10 	Pedro Diniz 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
11 	Rubens Barrichello 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
12 	Martin Brundle 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
14 	Johnny Herbert 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
16 	Ricardo Rosset 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
17 	Jos Verstappen 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
18 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
19 	Mika Salo 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
20 	Pedro Lamy 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
22 	Luca Badoer 	Forti Corse 	 	FG03 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
23 	Andrea Montermini 	Forti Corse 	 	FG03 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	1:21.059 	— 	196.346 km/h
2 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:21.079 	+0.020s 	196.297 km/h
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:21.198 	+0.139s 	196.010 km/h
4 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:21.529 	+0.470s 	195.214 km/h
5 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:21.657 	+0.598s 	194.908 km/h
6 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:21.807 	+0.748s 	194.551 km/h
7 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:21.926 	+0.867s 	194.268 km/h
8 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:21.982 	+0.923s 	194.135 km/h
9 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:22.321 	+1.262s 	193.336 km/h
10 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	1:22.332 	+1.273s 	193.310 km/h
11 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:22.481 	+1.422s 	192.961 km/h
12 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:22.875 	+1.816s 	192.043 km/h
13 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:23.067 	+2.008s 	191.600 km/h
14 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:23.118 	+2.059s 	191.482 km/h
15 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:23.201 	+2.142s 	191.291 km/h
16 	21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:23.519 	+2.460s 	190.563 km/h
17 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:23.599 	+2.540s 	190.380 km/h
18 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:23.959 	+2.900s 	189.564 km/h
19 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	1:24.262 	+3.203s 	188.882 km/h
20 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:25.012 	+3.953s 	187.216 km/h
21 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	1:25.193 	+4.134s 	186.818 km/h
22 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	1:26.109 	+5.050s 	184.831 km/h
107% Time: 1:26.733 	107% Time: 1:26.733 	107% Time: 1:26.733 	107% Time: 1:26.733 	107% Time: 1:26.733 	107% Time: 1:26.733 	107% Time: 1:26.733
Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix Molson du Canada - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/645/canada/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'8. Canada 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
** Schumacher would start the race from the back of the grid after stalling on the formation lap.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	69 	1:36.03.465 	1 	10
2 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	69 	+4.183s 	2 	6
3 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	69 	+54.656s 	4 	4
4 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	69 	+1:03.673 	10 	3
5 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	6 	2
6 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	9 	1
7 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	15 	
8 	21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	67 	+2 Laps 	16 	
Ret 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	44 	Collision 	19 	
Ret 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	44 	Gearbox 	20 	
Ret 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	42 	Spin 	7 	
Ret 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	41 	Halfshaft 	3 	
Ret 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	39 	Engine 	11 	
Ret 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	39 	Engine 	14 	
Ret 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	38 	Engine 	18 	
Ret 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	22 	Clutch 	8 	
Ret 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	22 	Electrical 	22 	
Ret 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	19 	Gearbox 	12 	
Ret 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	10 	Engine 	13 	
Ret 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	6 	Collision 	21 	
Ret 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	6 	Collision 	17 	
Ret 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1 	Suspension 	5 	
Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Canada 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Martin Brundle started his 150th Grand Prix.'8. Canada 1996', statsf1.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/canada.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
* Pedro Diniz entered his 25th Grand Prix.'1996 Canadian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1996&gp=Canadian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
* Damon Hill scored his eighteenth career victory.
* 89th win for as a constructor.
** secured their 80th win as an engine supplier.
==Standings==
Damon Hill extended his Championship lead after his fifth win of the season, leaving Canada with a 21 point lead. Jacques Villeneuve left his home race as the main pretender to the Brit at the halfway point, having moved six clear of Michael Schumacher in third. The top five was then completed by Jean Alesi and David Coulthard, with sixteen drivers having scored in the first half of the season.
In the Constructors Championship it was who headed into the second half of the season as favourites, having managed a stunning tally of 85 points across eight races. were the closest thing to a challenger to the Anglo-French squad, although they headed into the second half of the season 50 points behind. The Scuderia were therefore expecting to fight with for second, with and completing the top five.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Damon Hill 	53 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	32 	
3 	Michael Schumacher 	26 	
4 	Jean Alesi 	21 	
5 	David Coulthard 	13 	1
6 	Olivier Panis 	11 	1
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	10 	1
8 	Eddie Irvine 	9 	1
9 	Gerhard Berger 	7 	
10 	Rubens Barrichello 	7 	
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	6 	
12 	Mika Salo 	5 	
13 	Johnny Herbert 	4 	
14 	Martin Brundle 	2 	1
15 	Pedro Diniz 	1 	1
16 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	85 	
2 	 	35 	
3 	 	28 	
4 	 	23 	
5 	 	12 	
6 	 	10 	
7 	 	9 	
8 	 	5 	
9 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1996 Grands Prix
Category:Canadian Grand Prix