Canadian GP

Both the Senna Curve (Stand 12) or the Hairpin (Stand 24) offer great sights and sounds. I prefer 24 because it is easier to get to, has great access to the paddock for support races, and there is always action at the hairpin. But this is just my opinion.

 

Every year this gets asked several times and it seems that everyone has a different preference !

 

You raise two good points:
- there is no "best place"
- there IS a search feature on this site

 

I have sat at many locations around this track at many GP's and would have to say that the hairpin is the best in my opinion. Agree with Tuttebenne's comment.

 

Grandstand 11. You get to see the start/finish (at a distance), plus the first several turns. Two large screens are positioned within easy view. Also, the sun is behind you (as opposed to Granstand 12 where it hits from the side).

Just my 2 cents. (and where I have sat for the last several years).

 

I sit with Tuttubenne in section 24, but I think the Senna Curve is a great spot to view. I use to sit on the hill near the beginning of the Senna Curve in the mid 80s before all the grandstands were put up; a 3 day general admission tix was $25.00 canadian / 18.00 US. Personally, I would love to have one day in each and then for the race probably section 24 for an easier escape after the race.

 

I wouldn't want to see the hairpin because if I wanted to watch cars go by at 50 MPH I'd stand by the interstate...

 

They aren't going by at 50. They are decelerating HARD down to 50, overtaking, and accelerating HARD. That's what road racing is all about, not sustained high speed.

 

Plus, you see them coming into the hairpin, exhausts popping as they downshift through the gears... and a lot of passing happens there, then you see them do the opposite as they accelerate out of the hairpin. You see each car for quite a long time, longer than I've seen them at other tracks.

IMO, it's a great spot. Actually, when viewing in person, slower speed parts are probably better, because the cars are sooo fast that watching them whiz by at 200mph doesn't provide much of a spectacle after the first 5 times it happens.

IMO.

 

Always action at the hairpin and yes I took this photo.
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WOW!!! Great photo!!

And for the life of me, I can't figure out how he came out of that with just a mild concussion and a sprained ankle. Simply astonishing. Testament to the safety of the cars.

Alex

 

I guess it depends on where you sit in the hairpin since there's more than one grandstand around it but the one in the "middle" of it with all the runoff area between it and the track seems like it would suck.

 

You must mean 34? 15 is the one with the runoff between the stands and the track; and probably the best spot (best hairpin spot).

The area between 34 ("in the middle") and the track is not called runoff; cars do not end up there when they overshoot. If that's the one you're talking about, I agree that spot would suck and is only there for the suckers that bought tickets late and still want to sit near the hairpin.

 

My first F1 race was Montreal last year. I cant compare it to other grandstands but I have to say 11 was perfect for me.
You can see the very first turn at the end of the starting grid and can see some of the pits and see them exiting the pits too.
Lets face it the cars move with unbelievable velocity so if you can see them for 8 seconds a lap its alot.
I just got my tickets last week and I requested 11 again.
only draw back is its one of the furthest grandstands from the metro.
if you never been ther be ready for a super time.
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Thanks Alex.
I was also amazed that he survived with only minor injuries. Quite scary at the time.

 

Ya, I don't know the exact grandstand #s and am too lazy to look them up but that's the one I'm referring to.

 

I hope nobody minds, but I want to mention that I've just listed for sale in the Classifieds here ( http://ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=6254 ) 6 seats for Grandstand 24, on the exit side of the hairpin as mentioned above.

A group of us had these seats last year, and they were as great as described above. Unfortunately, our plans to attend this year have fallen apart, so we need to sell off our tickets. The 6 seats are in Grandstand 24, Section 1, Row HH, which is roughly 8 rows from the bottom, and are for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The face value for earlybird purchase was $395 each for the weekend, and with fees came to $404 each - The current price for Grandstand 24 seats for the weekend is $430, with fees will be $439. I'd like to get $800 for each pair of weekend seats, and will throw in a $10 program voucher with each pair also, so these are cheaper and better located than you'd be able to buy now!

Apologies for intruding with the sales pitch, but thought there might be some interest in here!

Montreal GP web site: http://www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca/tickets-f1.html
Track seating map: http://www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca/DATA/TEXTE/plan_circuit_billets_en.pdf