New for 2014
In Big Brother Double speak fashion, Grandstand 22 has been renamed "The Popular Grandstand". Despite the awfality of the name the price has been chopped to $165 for 3 days. It is also possible to buy for individual days which could be an attractive option if people want to mix general admission days with Grandstand days. I would recommend you get in quickly if you want Sunday tickets
New for 2013
1. Fanvision is no longer! Fanvision did not come to terms with Formula One Management so will not be present at any Formula 1 tracks this year.
2. There is a new ticketing option available for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Packages are available that allow you to sit in a different stand on each of the three days. The Gold option gives you seats in Stand 31 on Friday, Stand 15 on Saturday, and Stand 1 on Sunday. The Silver option starts in Stand 15, then goes to Stand 24 on Saturday, and Stand 12 for race day. The Bronze option has seats in Stand 22 on Friday, and then tours the chicanes starting in Stand 31 on Saturday and 33 on Sunday. Scroll to the bottom for a track map) All the details can be found at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve website
2. There is a new ticketing option available for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Packages are available that allow you to sit in a different stand on each of the three days. The Gold option gives you seats in Stand 31 on Friday, Stand 15 on Saturday, and Stand 1 on Sunday. The Silver option starts in Stand 15, then goes to Stand 24 on Saturday, and Stand 12 for race day. The Bronze option has seats in Stand 22 on Friday, and then tours the chicanes starting in Stand 31 on Saturday and 33 on Sunday. Scroll to the bottom for a track map) All the details can be found at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve website
New for 2012
There was a change that only affected the fans at the track this year. The catch fencing at the track was raised. This was probably for good reason considering the accident that Kubica had back in '07 but it does mean that front row seats are compomised. The fencing is worse for photos than viewing but I would still recomend that people consider getting higher seats to avoid them. The photo below is from the front row of Grandstand 21. For a before and after have a look at my Montreal Grand Prix 2011 and Montreal Grand Prix 2012 page.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve ticket advice
Scroll down for advice on individual Grandstands!
I have watched races at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve from 5 different grandstands. Below I have some advice for different stands and Youtube videos that give a good indication of what you will see. If you want information on how the rows and sections work I have a good description in the Forum section.
I have watched races at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve from 5 different grandstands. Below I have some advice for different stands and Youtube videos that give a good indication of what you will see. If you want information on how the rows and sections work I have a good description in the Forum section.
Grandstand 1
I have watched a Nascar race from Grandstand 1 which is right at the start finish line. The view was the worst I have ever had of the circuit. I was sitting too low down which meant the fence obstructed my view of the exit of the chicane and all I got to see was the cars
coming across the line. They are the most expensive seats for some reason. Perhaps the view is good from the back rows. It is a long walk back to the Metro after the race. On the positive side, there is plenty of shade and places to eat behind the stand next to the lake.
This video gives you a good idea of how little you can see. It is hard to find a good video from this stand. I assume that is because it is impossible to make a decent video. There are only videos of pitstops. I don't quite understand why anyone would go to a motor race to watch how quickly people can take off tyres and put on new ones.
I have watched a Nascar race from Grandstand 1 which is right at the start finish line. The view was the worst I have ever had of the circuit. I was sitting too low down which meant the fence obstructed my view of the exit of the chicane and all I got to see was the cars
coming across the line. They are the most expensive seats for some reason. Perhaps the view is good from the back rows. It is a long walk back to the Metro after the race. On the positive side, there is plenty of shade and places to eat behind the stand next to the lake.
This video gives you a good idea of how little you can see. It is hard to find a good video from this stand. I assume that is because it is impossible to make a decent video. There are only videos of pitstops. I don't quite understand why anyone would go to a motor race to watch how quickly people can take off tyres and put on new ones.
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Grandstand 12
I watched the first Montreal Nascar race from grandstand 12. You can see my photos on my Nascar page. The photos aren't great but you can get some idea of how much you can see. I was on the far left of the stand closest to grandstand 11. The view was excellent. You can see the cars coming down the start/finish straight, through turns 1 and 2, and all the way up to turn 3. It must be a great place to see the first lap of a Formula 1 race. Only down side is that it is the biggest walk on the circuit to get home after the race. Some shade behind the stand.
This video gives you an idea of the view. I have seen other videos from further to the right (from the spectators perspective) where the view is not as good. The further left (higher section letter. Section A is far right) you get the more of the start straight you can see and the further towards turn 3 you can see.
I watched the first Montreal Nascar race from grandstand 12. You can see my photos on my Nascar page. The photos aren't great but you can get some idea of how much you can see. I was on the far left of the stand closest to grandstand 11. The view was excellent. You can see the cars coming down the start/finish straight, through turns 1 and 2, and all the way up to turn 3. It must be a great place to see the first lap of a Formula 1 race. Only down side is that it is the biggest walk on the circuit to get home after the race. Some shade behind the stand.
This video gives you an idea of the view. I have seen other videos from further to the right (from the spectators perspective) where the view is not as good. The further left (higher section letter. Section A is far right) you get the more of the start straight you can see and the further towards turn 3 you can see.
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Grandstand 33
I saw my first Canadian Grand Prix from here. Have a look at my Montreal 2006 page for some photos from my seat. The view isn't great because you only see a tiny part of the track. Section A on the left might have a view of the cars approach into turn 7 and the seats in the back row and on the far right should see some of the exit. There is a bigscreen so you will always be up to date. The main entertainment area is not too far away if that is your thing. There is plenty of room around the stadium for shade and relaxing between sessions since the stand is sitting out at turn 7 all by itself.
This video had a better view of the approach than I had.
I saw my first Canadian Grand Prix from here. Have a look at my Montreal 2006 page for some photos from my seat. The view isn't great because you only see a tiny part of the track. Section A on the left might have a view of the cars approach into turn 7 and the seats in the back row and on the far right should see some of the exit. There is a bigscreen so you will always be up to date. The main entertainment area is not too far away if that is your thing. There is plenty of room around the stadium for shade and relaxing between sessions since the stand is sitting out at turn 7 all by itself.
This video had a better view of the approach than I had.
Grandstand 21 and 24
I have watched races from Grandstands on either side of the hairpin. The view is pretty much the same. Only good seats at the Senna curve give you a longer view of the cars and the big screen keeps you up to date on everything. My permanent home is now in the front row of Grandstand 21 which is great because it is right next to the bridge. Behind Grandstand 15 is the pit area for all the support races where you can go and get a close up look and a chat to plenty of the racers at the circuit. It's also a good place to find some shade and room to picnic. Behind Grandstand 24 you can find some real toilets if Porta Potties have turned into ovens, and also free drinking water. I am yet to find a free supply of beer.
This youtube video gives a good idea of what you can see. It doesn't give you any idea though of what you can hear. I don't know how sound recording manages it but F1 cars don't sound like that.
I have watched races from Grandstands on either side of the hairpin. The view is pretty much the same. Only good seats at the Senna curve give you a longer view of the cars and the big screen keeps you up to date on everything. My permanent home is now in the front row of Grandstand 21 which is great because it is right next to the bridge. Behind Grandstand 15 is the pit area for all the support races where you can go and get a close up look and a chat to plenty of the racers at the circuit. It's also a good place to find some shade and room to picnic. Behind Grandstand 24 you can find some real toilets if Porta Potties have turned into ovens, and also free drinking water. I am yet to find a free supply of beer.
This youtube video gives a good idea of what you can see. It doesn't give you any idea though of what you can hear. I don't know how sound recording manages it but F1 cars don't sound like that.
Grandstand 24 |
Grandstand 21 |
General admission
I have never bought general admission tickets but sometimes I wander around and watch a few sessions from the cheap seats. I wouldn't advise general admission for the Grand Prix because the stands take all the best places and you will have to beat the crowds if you want a chance at the crumbs. Also once you get in you probably don't want to leave your spot for the whole day. The one advantage of general admission tickets is that you can buy for individual days. If you can only make it Friday or Saturday I would forgive you for looking at the general admission option. But, if you can only make it for Sunday, I would still look at shelling out the extra money for a grandstand. Have a look at Bronze options such as 31 or 33. (34 sells out early, and 22 looks awful to me). In my opinion, the crowds in the General Admission areas make it too annoying to bother trying on a Sunday. You can see some General Admission crowds beside the stand on my Montreal Grand Prix 2012 page. Note that those crowds are not on a Sunday.
I have never bought general admission tickets but sometimes I wander around and watch a few sessions from the cheap seats. I wouldn't advise general admission for the Grand Prix because the stands take all the best places and you will have to beat the crowds if you want a chance at the crumbs. Also once you get in you probably don't want to leave your spot for the whole day. The one advantage of general admission tickets is that you can buy for individual days. If you can only make it Friday or Saturday I would forgive you for looking at the general admission option. But, if you can only make it for Sunday, I would still look at shelling out the extra money for a grandstand. Have a look at Bronze options such as 31 or 33. (34 sells out early, and 22 looks awful to me). In my opinion, the crowds in the General Admission areas make it too annoying to bother trying on a Sunday. You can see some General Admission crowds beside the stand on my Montreal Grand Prix 2012 page. Note that those crowds are not on a Sunday.
Getting to the track
The best way to get to the track is by metro since the race is on an island. The station is on the short yellow line and is called Jean Drapeau. Getting to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is easy. Just get in the metro and follow the crowd of people who don't look like they are going to work. If you are just in town for the race weekend you can buy a three day pass which will be cheaper than buying 6 single trips. This will get you full access to the metro and buses on the island of Montreal. The pass might be more expensive if you are on the south shore even though you will only need the metro for one stop. Also be aware that the south shore buses run on a different system and pass to the buses on the island of Montreal. If you are staying on the south shore there is a lot of parking at the Metro so you can drive to the Metro stop and take the metro to the race track.
Here is a map I made showing how to get to the circuit. Unfortunately, I can't get it centred how I want it. If you move it around, you will find it more useful than it looks. With all of the layers the map gets a little busy so I just have the track showing here. If you add on the Gilles Villeneuve Directions layer you will get more useful information
Here is a map I made showing how to get to the circuit. Unfortunately, I can't get it centred how I want it. If you move it around, you will find it more useful than it looks. With all of the layers the map gets a little busy so I just have the track showing here. If you add on the Gilles Villeneuve Directions layer you will get more useful information
General Advice
Montreal is a great race with a great atmosphere. From Friday practice to track closure on Sunday the stands are packed as is downtown. Another of the many great things about the Montreal race is that you can bring in your own beer so long as it is in cans. This will save you a stack of money if you're a drinker. It is also a good idea to bring along your own food unless you're a big fan of bad hotdogs and pizza. Remember that the grandstands aren't covered and the days are long. I usually try and find shade whenever there is nothing happening on track. Also remember to suck back some water in between the beers and pour on the sunscreen like you are getting ready for a nuclear war. The seats in the grandstands are very basic. The stands are temporary and the seats are solid aluminium planks. I highly recomend investing in some form of cushioning for the weekend. A $10 padded seat will double the value of your grandstand seat and save you the need for an ass transplant after the race. There is some storage space underneath but you will be packed in like sardines and if you aren't close to an aisle it is tough to get out for a piss mid race.
Tickets are available directly from Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where you can also find all of the usual information. Some grandstands sell out very quickly such as 34 in the middle of the hairpin. Others take longer but Grandstand seats are usually all gone before the weekend starts. Scalpers are always at the metro doors if you are desperate but you will pay a premium.
Montreal is a great race with a great atmosphere. From Friday practice to track closure on Sunday the stands are packed as is downtown. Another of the many great things about the Montreal race is that you can bring in your own beer so long as it is in cans. This will save you a stack of money if you're a drinker. It is also a good idea to bring along your own food unless you're a big fan of bad hotdogs and pizza. Remember that the grandstands aren't covered and the days are long. I usually try and find shade whenever there is nothing happening on track. Also remember to suck back some water in between the beers and pour on the sunscreen like you are getting ready for a nuclear war. The seats in the grandstands are very basic. The stands are temporary and the seats are solid aluminium planks. I highly recomend investing in some form of cushioning for the weekend. A $10 padded seat will double the value of your grandstand seat and save you the need for an ass transplant after the race. There is some storage space underneath but you will be packed in like sardines and if you aren't close to an aisle it is tough to get out for a piss mid race.
Tickets are available directly from Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where you can also find all of the usual information. Some grandstands sell out very quickly such as 34 in the middle of the hairpin. Others take longer but Grandstand seats are usually all gone before the weekend starts. Scalpers are always at the metro doors if you are desperate but you will pay a premium.
Have a look through some of my photos from different Montreal Races to get some ideas of the different Grandstand views. If you have more questions about tickets, if you have advice to add, if you agree or disagree with what I have here then get in touch with me through the Contact or forum section.
Help me out
I have watched races from all the stands above. I would love to have some advice, or photos for all the other stands. If you have sat in some other stands such as 15, 22, 34 or 31, then let me know through my contact page or the newly launched forum. It would be great if I could get up some advice for each of the stands at the track to help out those searching for where to park their bums. If you have advice for any stands that I have already wrritten about, I would love to get that up as well.
Lots of people are looking for information on where their tickets are in the stands. If you know where the different sections are in the stand and which rows are the front rows, then that would be great to know as well.
Lots of people are looking for information on where their tickets are in the stands. If you know where the different sections are in the stand and which rows are the front rows, then that would be great to know as well.