Grandstand 11 at the Montreal Grand Prix provides spectators with some of the very best views at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
It’s also one of the more expensive grandstands for the Canadian Grand Prix but the views from these seats definitely make it worth the cost.
This article provides a full guide to Grandstand 11 at the Montreal F1. It includes a seating chart, examples of the views, tips on picking the best seats and information on tickets.
Contents
Grandstand 11 Location - Montreal Grand Prix
Grandstand 11 is located on the outside (left-hand side) of Turn 2 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. It’s directly adjacent to Grandstand 12 which is positioned at 90 degrees to this stand.
Turns 1 and 2 at the start of the lap are known as the Senna Curve as the shape of the track here resembles an S.
The grandstand faces back up the track towards the start / finish line. The right-hand side of the stand (as you look at it from the track) is closest to the circuit. The left hand side is a little further away as the track curves away from it.
Grandstand 11 tickets for Canadian Grand Prix
Grandstand 11 is one of the most popular at the Montreal Grand Prix, so tickets for it sell out almost immediately on the official Canadian Formula 1 website.
So I would recommend buying tickets on Stubhub.
I’ve used Stubhub for F1 ticket purchases multiple times in the last 12 months, including for my trip to the Vegas GP, and have only had good experiences.
Their FanProtect guarantee is very robust and keeps you completely protected, plus they have a huge number of Canadian GP tickets currently available for sale, at very good prices.
Tickets for Grandstand 11 at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix cost $610 CAD, up from $555 CAD the previous year.
Below is the price list for grandstand tickets at the 2024 Montreal Grand Prix. All tickets have become more expensive over the last few years. See our full analysis of the Canadian GP ticket prices to see just how much they’ve increased.
These can be purchased directly through the official Canadian GP website. They usually go on sale July or August the year before the F1 weekend.
Purchasing a ticket for this grandstand also gives you full Montreal GP General Admission (GA) access to the whole circuit. With that you can explore some of the other GA viewpoints around the track, enter the F1 Fan Zone or any of the other entertainment areas. You will always have your reserved grandstand seat to come back to.
Grandstand 11 details
Cover
The grandstand isn’t covered, it’s completely open to the elements. Bring suitable clothing protection for the rain or sun!
Seats
The seats are bleacher style bench seats with no backrest. These can be very uncomfortable to sit on for long periods so bring a cushion or something else soft.
TV Screens
There are two large TV screens visible from Grandstand 11. The first and closest screen is after the exit of Turn 2 on the other side of the circuit, to the left of the grandstand.
The second is near the pit lane exit on the right hand side of the circuit, the other side of Grandstand 12. That one’s a little further away.
Grandstand 11 Seating Chart Montreal Grand Prix
Below is the seating chart for Grandstand 11 at the Montreal Grand Prix.
As the chart shows the grandstand is made up of 8 different sections. These all have the same number of rows except for section 8 which is a little smaller.
The rows are named with letters. Row AA is the front row lowest down, BB is the second row and this continues up to Row QQ (row 17). After that it changes to Row A (row 18) and it continues with single letters all the way up to the back row, Row Z.
The seat numbers increase as you go to the right of the stand (as you look at it from the circuit). Seat numbers start from 1 at the beginning of each section.
Grandstand 11 views
The map below shows the parts of the circuit than can be seen from Grandstand 11.
From pretty much anywhere in the stand your view of the cars once they exit Turn 2 and head towards Turn 3 is very limited. The main action to be seen here is the start line and Turns 1 and 2
The lower the section number you sit in, the more you are able to see down the main straight and before the start / finish line. As the section number increases, the more the trees on the inside of the circuit will block your view of the start line and Turn 1.
Everywhere in the stand has great view of the pit lane exit and the point where it rejoins the circuit.
If you sit in section 1 you’ll maximise how much of the straight you can see. The video below was filmed from section 1 row U.
This has a great vantage point for seeing the cars line up for the start of the race. If you had some binoculars and sat here you’d just about be able to see the final chicane and the cars passing the Wall of Champions at the beginning of the start / finish straight. The advertising gantries across the circuit might block your view slightly.
The next video was filmed from section 2 row F, and again has a great view down the pit straight.
The next video was filmed from section 3. This still has a completely clear view of Turn 1 and 2, but it’s a little harder to see anything down the main straight past the start line.
The next video was filmed from section 4 row R and again has clear views of the Senna Curve and the start / finish line.
If you sit on the extreme left hand side of section 5 (highest seat numbers) you will still just about have a clear view of turns 1 and 2. The trees on the inside of the circuit are pretty much out of the way. Going lower down means the risk of being blocked by the trees is smaller.
The video below was filmed from section 5 row JJ, in seats almost at the far left hand side of the section.
Section 6 is where you stand a chance of the trees blocking your view. Sitting further back and in the higher seat numbers will mean that you won’t be able to see the start line or the apex of Turn 1.
The video below was filmed from section 6, row M, seat 13. The start line is still visible, but higher seat numbers would have meant it wouldn’t be.
The video below was filmed from section 7, Row U, seats 15-16. As you can see, the trees block the view of the start line and the entry to Turn 1.
Finally this next video was filmed from section 8 in the second row back (this section is shorter). The only real benefit of sitting on this side of the stand is you’re closer to the TV screen at the exit of Turn 2.
Best Seats in Grandstand 11?
Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Grandstand 11 are the best seats in this stand, and probably the best grandstand seats at the Montreal Grand Prix.
From there you have a completely unimpeded view of Turns 1 and 2. Plus you get a clear view of the start / finish line and if you bring a pair of binoculars you can see down most of the pit straight as well.
Personally I’d pick seats in rows higher up in the stand as I prefer the higher vantage point and being able to look over more of the safety fence.
I’d definitely avoid sections 6 and up as you risk having your view of Turn 1 blocked by the trees.
Is Grandstand 11 a good place to sit at the Montreal Grand Prix?
Grandstand 11 is the best place to sit at the Montreal Grand Prix, if you sit in the lower section numbers. No other grandstands offers such prime views of a section where you’re guaranteed to see some action.
Barely a year has gone by where there hasn’t been an incident, crash or some wheel banging that takes place at the start of the Canadian Grand Prix at Turns 1 and 2. Even throughout the race you’re likely to see some good overtaking here as Turn 1 is at the end of one of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve DRS Zones. And from this stand you’ll be in prime position to see it all unfold right in front of you.
It’s also not far from the podium. It’s only a short walk after the race to watch the winner lift the Canada GP trophy.
Nearest entrance
Getting to Grandstand 11 involves a bit of a walk. You can enter the circuit at the Casino entrance, walk past grandstand 1 and head towards Turn 1 and 2. You can cross over a pedestrian bridge just after the exit of Turn 2 to get to the outside of the circuit and the stand.
See our guide the Canada GP entrance gates for more information.
For details on how to get to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Formula 1 weekend, see our full Canada F1 travel guide.
Other Canadian GP Grandstands
Check out our guides to all of the other Canadian Grand Prix grandstands as a comparison:
This is so helpful Alex, great job!!! For the first-time Race goers, this post is a blessing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Hitesh! Hope you have a great race.