The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, scene of this weekend's Canadian GP, features a number of small modifications that at first glance might not be that noticeable.

The first change is the pitlane exit which now runs parallel to the start finish straight and joins the track just after Turn 1 and before Turn 2 - the old pitlane exit was the scene of the controversial Schumacher/Frentzen 'coming together a couple of years back.

The hairpin (Turn 10) has been 'brought back', with roughly thirty metres having been removed from both the entrance and exit, which in turn reduces the track's overall length from 2.747 miles (4.421 km) to 2.709 miles (4.36 km).

Finally there is the so-called 'Champions Wall' at Turn 13, which in 1999 saw no less than three World Champions come to grief at the same spot, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and local hero Jacques Villeneuve.

In addition to this, the run-off areas between Turns 1 and 2, and the hairpin (Turn 10) have had the traditional gravel replaced with paving, which it is believed is more effective at 'scrubbing off' speed.

Later this year CART makes it's debut at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but race organisers are adamant that the changes made to the circuit are for the benefit of their F1™ regulars.

"Contrary to what many people believe, changes to the circuit have been at the request of the FIA," says Norman Prieur, chief press officer for the Air Canada Grand Prix, in an interview with the Montreal Gazette.

"As with every Grand Prix, FIA reviews tracks and recommends changes and these have been made in accordance with those requests," he adds. "They have nothing to do with CART coming here. The changes that were made bring the track up the standards we now see in Formula 1™."