Canadian Grand Prix Questions

I have sat at the hairpin for years. Stand 15 gives a good view of the cars both approaching and leaving the hairpin, and has the additional advantage of being close to the bridge off the island, so that you can beat most of the crowd after the race. Stand 24 next to it is nearly as good, though you're facing into the sun in the afternoon.

 

If I would make a second choice, Stands 11 & 12 at the Senna Corner just after start/finish would be good, too; just remember that from there it is a long walk to exit, and everyone else will be in front of you!

 

Agree on Hairpin. Was there in 2009. Year after Kubica had the horrific wreck. We actually saw Kubica win that next year. Also, stay down town near Cresent and Peel it's where all the action is. You take the train to the track each day and there are great parties, restaurants and nightlife.

 

Ultimately depends on your budget. Front stretch or Senna S's are great, but can get pricy depending on how many seats you need.

We've been sitting in Grandstand 34, which is in the middle of the hairpin, the past few years. Probably the best priced seats for the amount time you see the cars. This year they were 315 CAD for a 3 day pass. There's a giant tv screen in the middle as well. Walkable to the Casino on the island as well if thats your thing.

24 and 15 are really good as well. I'd say 24 is better. 15 is really set back from the track. on screen it doesn't look that far, but when you re there its pretty far. Really almost any section in the hairpin is walkable and there's plenty to see. I like walking over to the exiting side of the hair and down into the rowing basin behind 24. Thats where Ferrari challenge and the GT3 cup cars are when the big boys aren't on track.

Random cooler tip. They used to allow larger rolling coolers to bring in food and drinks, but that got scratched last year. They had a large area of confiscated coolers. I'd recommend one small enough for under your seat if you want to bring snacks. Or one of the yeti or ice mule back pack ones. Also, if you are into photography check the camera lens size allowance. My friend had to leave his one year because FOM will only allow up to a certain size if you bring your gear.

 

15 time veteran of the Canadian GP, though I"m biased as I did the support race many times which gives a bit of "unfair access"

1) best "seats" for grandstands are hairpin and turn 1/2 area. Almost all good at hairpin, the higher up the better in T1/2.

2) it's a complete, farcical Bernie pricing gouge, but if you're going to do it "once", consider buying a pass in the Turn 1 suites. It's like a luxury box right along pit out, they give you decent (not great) food and drink, less crowded, more TV screens. FNA offers a package, but quite a few dealers and other makes (eg. Mercedes) do as well. Again, way overpriced but nice

3) Montreal is great in that you can (and should) walk around. Friday and Saturday practice are best for that, you can get good views in many places. There are open GA spots along the fence line on the basin side of the back straight which is about as close as you can get to the track when the cars are under full acceleration out of the hairpin. Bring walking shoes, as access requires you to walk around the "long way" everywhere.

4) Metro is best way to get there, just plan on being early on Sunday and stay as late as you can to avoid the crush.

 

I like Senna corner or S. But yeah, it is a long walk. Also been at 33, the S on the other side. Great downshifts and lows speed visibility at both. Seb made his epic start and pass going into Senna last year. Too bad the tire strategy was too conservative.

 

This. 11 and 12 are the best. Long walk for sure although I drive and park nearby the seats, worth every penny. Go double letters and 6/7 for 12 and 1/2/3 for 11. Grew up in St. Lambert and was there for race 1, but the hairpin is nice if you're using the metro. Main Grandstand is for the birds during the race, but fun for celeb photo ops.

 

Bench style. What gripes me is the people that sit in front of you now bring these seat cushions that have a back go them and the overhang into the row behind them. They are basically taking up any knee room you have infront of yourself.
I enjoy sitting in turn 11 or 12. This year I think I am going to pony up the extra money and sit in the Senna club which is at the end of the start/finish line

 

I require those stadium seats, bring them every year. The whiner behind can have a few brew to eliminate the pain, my cooler holds 27. It's nice to make friends.

 

I don't think you need to stay downtown; I've been there 12 times and have always stayed on the south shore: less expensive and less crowded. You can drive (or take a bus!) to the Longueuil Metro station and take it one stop to the circuit. It's also much better after the race on Sunday, when most people are going the other way!

But by all means take the Metro into town after the racing on Saturday and head for Crescent Street. Get off at the Guy/Concordia station and walk a few blocks east. Lots of interesting eateries, music, people and fun! Walk around and you'll probably find a car show or two.

 

If you want to experience a great weekend and enjoy some fun nightlife the stat downtown. near Crescent St, I been there the last 5 yrs and downtown is a lot of fun

 

I would stay either downtown or in old Montreal. Believe it or not the downtown area gets crazy busy and sometimes a bit trashy. I like the Old Montreal better which is where we tend to spend most of the time when we go there every year on that weekend.