Image credit Signature Pro
Grandstand 21 at the Montreal Grand Prix provides amazing views of the Hairpin, one of the best overtaking spots at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The article provides a complete guide to spectating from this grandstand. It includes a seating chart, examples of the view, information on tickets and tips on getting the best seats in the stand for the Canadian F1 race weekend.
Grandstand 21 Location - Montreal Grand Prix
Grandstand 21 is located on the outside (left-hand side) of the circuit at the entry to the Turn 10 Hairpin.
The grandstand runs parallel with the straight bit of track that’s the braking zone for the Hairpin. The right-hand side of the stand is in line with the apex of the corner.
Grandstand 21 tickets for Canadian Grand Prix
Tickets for Grandstand 21 at the Montreal Grand Prix sell out almost instantaneously on the official Canadian GP website when they’re released.
So I’d recommend buying tickets through Stubhub.
I used Stubhub for F1 tickets multiple times in the last 12 months, including my trip to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and have had great experiences each time.
Their FanProtect guarantee keeps you protected, and they have a large amount of Canadian GP tickets for sale, at very good prices.
Grandstand 21 details
Cover
Grandstand 21 is completely uncovered. There’s no roof over the top so it’s fully exposed to the elements. Make sure you bring suitable clothing and weather protection, for both rain and sun!
Seats
The seats are bleacher-style bench seats with no backrest. These can be pretty uncomfortable so bring a small cushion or something soft to sit on.
TV Screens
The large 4-sided Jumbotron screen is directly in front of this grandstand on the inside of the hairpin. It’s in line with section 7 of the stand which will have the best view of the screen.
If you’re at the other end of the stand you’ll still have a good view just from a bit of an angle, but you’ll be able to see screens on two sides of the Jumbotron.
Grandstand 21 Seating Chart Montreal Grand Prix
Below is the seating chart for Grandstand 21 at the Montreal Grand prix.
As the seating chart shows the grandstand is made up for four different sections numbered 7, 8, 9 and 10. These sections are all different sizes with a different number of rows.
The front row across all sections is named Row A. In section 10 there’s only 5 rows so the back row is Row E. The sections then get larger until section 7 which has 26 rows in total with the back row being Row Z.
The seat numbers increase as you move to the right of the stand (as you look at it from the circuit). The numbers start from 1 at the beginning of each section.
Grandstand 21 views
The map below shows the areas of the track visible from this grandstand highlighted in pink.
The main part of the track you’ll be viewing from here is the Turn 10 Hairpin, which often sees a lot of overtaking and has one of the Canada GP DRS Zones directly after it.
As the grandstand is so close to the edge of the track, wherever you sit you’ll be looking through the safety fence as the cars brake and enter the hairpin.
You can’t see much to the right before the braking zone as the track curves round and the other structures and trees to the right of your stand block your view. If you were to get seat 1 on the extreme right hand side of section 7 then you’d have the best view to the right as you wouldn’t be obstructed by anyone else in the stand.
Once the cars have left the Hairpin you’ll lose them out of sight as they go behind Grandstand 34 which is in the middle of the two sections of track.
The video below was filmed from Section 9 row E, the back row of the smallest section of the stand.
This next video was filmed from Section 7 row P, just a few seats away from being at the end of the stand.
The video below is a little older but it shows an example of the view from the back of section 7, in row Z.
Best Seats in Grandstand 21?
If you want to be as close as possible to the action then go for seats in the smaller part of section 9 and 10 as close to the apex of the Hairpin as possible. There you’re right on top of the circuit, only a few metres away from the cars.
Personally I’d chose to get seats in a section that has higher rows to give a wider vantage point. I’d probably try and get seats in the back rows of section 8. That’d give a slightly clearly view of the F1 cars in the braking zone for the hairpin, plus the TV screen would be a little more central.
Is Grandstand 21 a good place to sit at the Montreal Grand Prix?
Being one of the more expensive grandstands at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this grandstand doesn’t feel like great value for money. It does put you right on top of the action, but your view of the cars entering the Hairpin is limited by the catch fencing.
There are a number of food and drinks vendors just a short walk away from here, on the steps overlooking the river behind the Lance Stroll stand. And for the same money you could actually sit in that stand directly opposite. It has a clearer view of the entrance to the Hairpin and is a larger stand so has a better atmosphere.
Alternatively you could look at Grandstand 15 which is at the end of the long run-off area next to the Hairpin. It’s further from the track but costs over $100 CAD less and has unobscured views of the Turn 10 Hairpin.
Nearest entrance
The nearest entrance to Grandstand 21 at the Montreal Grand Prix is the Cosmos entrance. When you come through the entrance take a left turn and the grandstand is only a couple of paces in front of you. Easy.
See our guide for the Canada GP entrance gates to get more details.
For info on how to get to the circuit for the Formula One weekend, check out 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:
