🇨🇦 TBT: Argentina at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve

From the first Argentine to race in Montreal to Franco's second race there this weekend

Published

21 May 2026

Est. reading time

2 min

The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve has a long history with Argentine drivers

This weekend Franco returns to Montreal, and it is worth remembering what this track owes to Argentina.

But STOP!

🎂 Remember that Franco turns 23 next week and the FranClub is putting together something very special for him.

Today is the last day to send your birthday message, as we'll only be selecting the 23 best to feature in the official video that Franco will watch on his birthday. Read all about it here and don't miss out!

🎂 Mándale tu mensaje cumpleañero a Franco

Solo elegiremos 23 videos, uno por cada año que cumple

Enviar video

Franco in Canada 2025: the argentine return after 25 years

After 25 years without an Argentine finishing a race in Montreal, Franco arrived in 2025 with Alpine and changed that. His weekend was the best of his season: P12 in Q2 (his best qualifying result of the year), he started P10 after penalties to others and finished P13 completing 69 clean laps, ahead of his team mate.

"I am happy with the progress I made throughout the weekend and I definitely want to keep pushing forward."

🇦🇷 But Franco was not the first

Before him, several Argentines left their mark in Montreal:

- Carlos Reutemann raced here seven times between 1972 and 1981. His best moment came in 1978: pole and then a podium in a race where leader Jarier retired three laps from the end, handing victory to local hero Villeneuve. In 1980 he added a P2 with Williams. His results: 1972 P4, 1973 P8, 1974 P9, 1977 retired, 1978 P3, 1980 P2, 1981 P10.

- Ricardo Zunino made his F1 debut right here in 1979, replacing Lauda at Brabham. He started P19 and finished P7 in his very first race.

- Larrauri, Tuero and Mazzacane also raced in Montreal in 1988, 1998 and 2000 respectively. Mazzacane was the last Argentine to finish a race here before Franco, with a P12 in 2000.

25 years passed. Until Franco arrived.