Paddock Postcard from Montreal

The tight nature of the paddock at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Montreal’s Ile Notre Dame always makes for a bustling atmosphere, and is usually packed with interesting characters from racing.

World champions included Emerson Fittipaldi, Jacques Villeneuve, Niki Lauda and Damon Hill together with those still in F1 racing, and racers Carlos Sainz, Derek Daly, Bertrand Gachot, Stefan Johansson, Adrian Fernandes, Rob Wickens and Robbie Kerr were also cruising round.

Former Long Beach Grand Prix czar Chris Pook was in his usual amusing and feisty form, as were legendary photographer Gary Gold and writer Gordon Kirby.

FIA President Jean Todt visited another Grand Prix, and as former team owners Fred Opert, Walter Wolf and Paul Stoddart made appearances, would-be F1 team owner Gene Haas came to see for himself what the sport is all about at this level, accompanied by his team principal-elect Guenther Steiner. Interestingly, they were spotted at Ferrari.

And, of course, the place was buzzing with news from race organisers of a new long-term deal for the track which they say, subject to some new facilities, will secure the future of one of F1 racing's most popular venues.

For more pictures from Montreal, check out our Paddock Postcard gallery.