The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Accommodation:
Downtown Montreal is loaded with hotels, but they raise their prices a lot around GP time. McGill and Concordia rent out rooms in their dorms. Usually far more economical!
You can potentially save a lot of money by not staying in the downtown core. As long as you find a place within walking distance of a Metro station you'll be in good shape, the Metro is by far the best way of getting to the track.
Getting to the track:
The Metro is the most efficient way of getting to and from the track. You'll be traveling to the Metro station Jean-Drapeau, which is just across a bridge from the track. The long line on the way out is annoying but still better than driving. Shuttles should be available from downtown as well. On Thursday (for the open pitlane), The ONLY way to get to the track is by metro. Everything else is shut down. Do not attempt to drive to the circuit.
If you cannot make it to the track for Thursday or Friday, buy a weekend STM pass. It's $13.75 (2019) and gives you unlimited access to both busses and subway after 4pm on the Friday and stops at 5am on Monday. It is a must for everyone attending this GP since there is no way you can drive to the track unless you are one of the elites. When you arrive at the gate the first check is security and will check your bags for weapons. Then the second check is a ticket check and then you will have access to the bridges to the track. There is a ton of walking and standing on a crowded subway, so pack light and wear comfortable shoes.
Seating:
Unless you spring for the expensive seats near Turn 1, you're gonna be squeezed in tight on a bench with Krispy Kreme's finest. Screens are available for pretty much grandstand. The "popular" grandstand is the cheapest. It has no assigned seating, just limited number sold. This grandstand's seating is first come, first serve so if you are with a group, get there early to avoid being separated. General Admission is alright, but because of the wooded nature of the park, it can be hard to find a good spot. The park does offer the chance to stand phenomenally close to the track.
Counter-point to the person above: The tickets in Turn 1 (Sections 11 and 12) are really not that expensive compared to other races. This is 100 percent the best spot to watch this race. View from Section 11; apologies for obnoxious HAM fans in the way.
For those looking to spend the full 3 days at the track. I recommend the hairpin stands. When a session isn't on, there's easy access to the infield and the rowing venue is right next to the stands, makes for a great spot to eat lunch. Additionally, they put the pits for the support races by the rowing venue which are open (you can walk around and check out the cars). *General admission is spotty at best since the track is built on a man-made island and is for the most part perfectly flat. You can find some slight hills on the outside of the hairpin, but unlike a lot of the European tracks getting a GA ticket is definitely a downgrade. Spring for grandstand seats if you can.
Grandstand tickets are significantly more expensive than GA but are worth it. Turn 1/2 or grandstand 11/12 are the best imo because aside from the hairpin it's the best place to see side by side action. Grandstand 11 you cannot see the start/finish that well but grandstand 12 you can depending on the section. If you have a GA ticket you will not have access to these areas, grandstand ticket holders only. The track security checks multiple times. The seating has no protection from the sun and the breeze is limited.
Food:
On the track there are food vendors that serve typical event food like hot dogs ($5), pizza ($4.75) , fries ($6.25), poutine ($9) etc. They also serve heineken ($8 for a can) and lemonade. You are allowed to bring your own food and alcohol. Eating on a grandstand is a challenge.
Crescent Street has a huge selection of restaurants, and it's shut down for an endless partying during Grand Prix weekend! There are booths with classic "fair food" (hot dogs, burgers, etc) at the track, but those tend to be very overpriced.
Break away from Crescent Street and the cookie cutter party that feels exactly the same every year if at all possible. There are so many good restaurants in the city and many of them are not outrageously expensive. Make the most of attending a Grand Prix that's almost literally in the city center and explore the lesser known but far more enjoyable areas like Griffintown, Little Burgundy, Mile End and the Plateau. Some of the city's staples include Joe Beef, Toqué, and Au Pied de Cochon. My personal favorite and hidden gem is called Le Serpent.
What to avoid:
Not necessarily avoid, but formula 1 merchandise is expensive. Non-sponsor Ferrari hats are $80 CAD, shirts are starting at $180 CAD
Driving. It's just a very annoying way to get around. Public transit in Montreal is excellent. While it may be unpopular to say so, but if you've been to the race before just skip Crescent Street altogether since it'll be just as overcrowded with little new things to see. Take the opportunity to explore other areas.
Misc:
There are also Porsche Cup series and Ferrari Challenge races, along with Formula Ford events going on. Each of these have excellent wheel to wheel action at every turn. If you are a fan of motor racing, watch these races.
Try to get to the track for 9am to avoid 300,000+ people getting to the track for just the Formula 1 cars.
There are commentators on track and they do play team radio at the same time as world feed. Commentators on track do a good job letting everyone know the gaps, and commentate in english and french.
Downtown Montreal becomes a paradise for exotic car fans during the Grand Prix weekend. From Lotus Elises to Bugatti Veyrons and everything in between! The F1 Boutique in Old Montreal is a good place to go if you want F1 accessories and memorabilia. If you're looking for outdoor activity, Mount Royal Park has many excellent trails that reward you with a stunning view of downtown Montreal when you reach the top.
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