PlanYourCanadianGrand Prix

If you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, just about the only thing harder than the circuit’s metal bleachers is deciding where to sit. Montreal has an atmosphere many circuits would kill for but finding a great spot to watch the race can be hit or miss. Some grandstands deliver fantastic views and race-day experience, while others fall flat — literally — with low elevation and intrusive debris fencing a common complaint. In this guide, we break down every grandstand worth considering (and some to avoid), helping you choose the best seats for your budget and preferences.

Grandstands 11 and 12 are some of the best grandstands to watch the Grand Prix in Montreal — if you choose the right sections. This part of the track is often the scene of overtakes and incidents, and the start of the race is always electric – the anticipation of seeing 20 F1 cars hurtling into this bottleneck on lap 1 is nail-biting stuff.

With the best sections featuring views of the starting grid and the pit lane, it feels close to the heart of the circuit too. And crucially, both stands are nicely elevated, so the safety fencing that plagues much of the circuit isn’t an issue. 

The downside of these grandstands is the trek to get there. This is about the furthest point from the metro station, and given the circuit’s elongated form, that is quite a distance (about 3.5km). 

Depending on how congested the path is, it can take up to an hour to reach this part of the circuit. It’s something worth considering if you have mobility issues, you want to beat the rush on the way out, or you just plain don’t like walking.

Ticket buyers can usually choose which blocks their allocated seat will be in, and the more premium sections are worth the extra expense.

Grandstand 11 (sections 1, 2, and 3) offers views from a distant ‘Wall of Champions’ and the final corner to the exit of the Senna curve. It’s a giant view encompassing the starting grid, turn 1 and the pit lane exit.

For fans in blocks 4, 5, 6 and 7, much of the view is blocked by trees. These seats provide a good, clear view of the Senna Curve, but you’ll need to bring your X-ray specs to see turn 1.

Grandstand 11 slightly edges ahead of neighbouring Grandstand 12, making it my pick for the best grandstand at the Canadian Grand Prix — but it’s a photo finish.

Seats in Grandstand 12 (sections 5, 6 and 7) feature a similar view to those of Grandstand 11 (sections 1, 2, and 3) but its view is not so direct — you’ll find yourself turning your body to face the main straight to avoid having a sore neck by the end of the race. 

The giant screen for this stand is also positioned to the far right of the stand. The positioning of the grandstand makes it possible to see as far as a distant turn 3.

The one benefit of being seated in sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 is the closer proximity to the screen. Fans sitting here can see turn 1, but your view to the left is cut short as the cars round and exit the Senna Curve.

There’s something almost majestic about the cars bursting out of the trees before sweeping through Turns 6 and 7. This section beautifully demonstrates an F1 car’s agility — even if it’s not always the most action-packed part of the track.
Tucked away in this leafy section of the track, the Family Grandstand (AKA Grandstand 33) is an underrated spot. As usual, the higher rows offer better, fence-free views, and there are well-placed giant screens opposite so you won’t miss a beat. 
Off-track, the location lives up to its name. As well as plenty of food and drink options nearby, it’s also close to the Family Zone, with lots of kid-friendly activities to stay entertained while you wait for lights out.

Turn 8 is an occasional overtaking spot, but more often it’s where drivers focus on nailing the line through Turn 9 to set up a pass into the hairpin. The large run-off area here means turn 8 is a somewhat distant view, but the cars swoop in closer towards the grandstand around the faster turn 9.

This is a favourite grandstand for Fernando Alonso, who in 2017 had an unplanned meet and greet with some lucky spectators after his Honda engine gave up on lap 66. 

Grandstands at the Epingle Hairpin are a good option, especially for photography at what is the slowest part of the track. It is a prime location for thrills and spills, and to see drivers making overtakes on the entry or line up overtakes on the exit of the corner. 

With so many fans in one place, there’s a fantastic atmosphere in this stadium-like section of the track, and it’s an aural extravaganza. The sound of F1 cars braking from 300 to 60kph, thumping down through the gears and roaring off down the Casino Straight, all to a background track of a few thousand buoyant fans. It’s deafening – in a nice way.

This is also the closest section of the track to the metro. Choosing seats in one of these grandstands will mean the shortest walk to get to your seat and give you a head start on leaving the track.

Situated in the interior of the track, the hairpin loops around Grandstand 34, giving these seats an unusual vantage point. Thanks to the grandstand’s steep elevation, spectators here face no issues with the fence ruining a good shot of the cars.

The drawback with this stand compared to, say, grandstands 21 and 24 is that the cars can feel a little distant, and you don’t get the same sense of excitement.

Grandstand 21 is one of the best places at the circuit to witness the sheer braking power of a Formula 1 car. From the higher rows, you might even capture some great panning shots as the cars slow dramatically into the hairpin. Like Grandstand 24 opposite, this stand puts you close to the track, right in the thick of the noise, with the transmission snapping down through the gears at lightning speed.

A seat at Grandstand 15 allows fans to take in the full scope of the Epingle Hairpin in all its glory. You’ll see the cars approach from Turn 9, brake hard into the slowest corner on the circuit, then disappear around the curve onto the Casino Straight. It’s a wide-angle view of a dramatic part of the lap — but not a close one. 

The large run-off area puts spectators a little further back than in most stands, so bring binoculars or a zoom lens if you want to get decent photos. It also means that the big screen is not nearly big enough. Located in the middle of the hairpin, you may find it too far away to follow the rest of the race easily.

A strong contender for the best grandstand at the hairpin, and overall a great choice. Formerly known as Grandstand 24 and renamed the Lance Stroll Grandstand in honour of some local guy. From here, the hairpin feels nice and close — you can almost touch it — but you can also enjoy a good view of the approach, almost as far as turn 9.

The upper rows are where it’s at, having the clearest view of most of the track without the catch fencing getting in the way. Meanwhile, the iconic backdrop of the Biosphere should result in some Instagram-worthy photos. 

It’s not just about the view, though — this grandstand is also one of the most convenient. You’re close to food stalls, permanent toilet facilities, the fan zone, and even the Cosmos Bridge and the support paddocks should you fancy a stroll (pun intended).

Formerly called Popular Grandstand, it’s easy to see why they renamed it. Grandstand 46, along with its neighbour Grandstand 47, roughly opposite each other on the Casino Straight, are easily the least desirable seats at the circuit. 

The truth is, there are general admission spots with better views. But, if you want a reserved seat that won’t break the bank, these could be just the ticket.

Grandstand 46 is the better of the two. On the outside of the circuit, these seats provide a view of the cars braking for the hairpin and accelerating out of it. The actual hairpin though, is out of sight.   

Though some seats in Grandstand 47 have an awkward, distant view of the exit of the hairpin, most don’t—blocked as it is by the nearby Grandstand 34. It ends up being a straightforward view of cars belting along the Casino Straight. It might be okay for a day, but it’s no place to spend a full weekend.

Grandstand 1 is a pretty standard main straight option. You can expect the usual perks like the pre-race build-up on the grid, the people watching, mesmerisingly quick pit stops, the podium ceremony and post-race interviews with the top three. Being a DRS zone, you’re likely to see some wheel-to-wheel duels to keep you on your feet, too.

One of the most popular grandstands in Montreal, the Platine Grandstand is on the main straight between the grid and turn 1. These are the best seats at the track to watch the start of the race and the action in turns 1 and 2. Neither directly in front of the grid nor turn one though, it feels like a bit of a compromise on both fronts.

Fans here will also find that the shallow-sloped nature of the stand and the safety fencing means you’re unlikely to have a clear line of sight to the track. Overall, there are better stands purely for track views. 

Here’s the kicker though: Platine is the only grandstand in Montreal to feature a (partial) roof, so you have some protection from the elements. Not only that, you can say goodbye to uncomfortable metal bleachers – the grandstand has moulded plastic seats with seat backs. What Luxury!

General admission at the Canadian Grand Prix is not recommended with not a lot of good views around the generally flat circuit.

The few views that there are will be packed about 10 to 20 people deep so only the very early risers will be able to take advantage. The meagre views are hampered more so by the catch fencing meaning any chance of a decent photograph is unlikely.

For the casual motorsports fan who just wants to experience the atmosphere of a live F1 race, general admission will suffice. For anyone else, you’ll probably be disappointed.

When buying F1 grandstand tickets for Montreal, elevation is key. The further you are from the ground, the more likely you are to enjoy uninterrupted views over the fences. Some grandstands are a long walk from public transport, which can be a dealbreaker for some but worth it for those with the energy.

There are great vibes and photo ops at the hairpin, technical precision through the chicanes, and chaos and racecraft into turns 1 and 2. No single grandstand has everything, but if you’re looking for the best grandstand for the Canadian Grand Prix, Grandstand 11 has my vote.

No matter which F1 tickets you book for the Canadian Grand Prix, the atmosphere and city do half the work for you. The rest comes down to picking the right grandstand, and hopefully, now you’re better equipped to do just that.