Montreal Ticket Sales/Attendance

This was my 20th Canadian GP, and I didn't mind the sound. At least not as bad as tv audio makes it out to be. As a pitlane commentator stated at a Thursday night marshals dinner, comparing the sounds of 10-20 years ago to that of last year: "it's the difference between a good sounding rock band and a thrash metal singer screaming down a microphone". The cars are quicker, the race was good. Opinions, as well as your mileage, will vary.

The trick to making the grandstands appear full is to size them for the anticipated crowd. Many are smaller than they've been in the past, or missing entirely. That’s been happening for many years. A Canadian driver retiring and a shaky economy have had far more impact on attendance than the current sound.

The building near the old start/finish is now the medical center.

Anyone in the grandstands near turn 2 on Friday? Happen to see Jean Alesi shake the light operator marshal's hand just before P1 started? My weekend was made before the cars hit the track.

 

I was there for my second Canadian GP and it was packed. I was at the hairpin and didn't see and empty seat. Seemed just as crowded as last year. I was wondering if the sound would be loud enough to require earplugs but it wasn't. Last year obviously you did. Good thing is you can actually talk to your friend sitting next to you during the race, but I much prefer the deafening F1 sound from years passed. But...you can't take away the technology packed into those cars and how masterfully the drivers handle them. Lots going on in that cockpit besides just driving the car. The race was as exciting as can be and I already booked my tickets and hotel room for Austin!