The Platine Grandstand at the Montreal Grand Prix is the only covered grandstand available during the Formula 1 weekend. It’s also the most expensive grandstand at the event.
This article provides a complete guide to this grandstand and includes a seating chart and examples of the view. It also looks at whether the hefty price tag is worth it, or if other grandstands are better value.
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Platine Grandstand Location - Montreal Grand Prix
The Platine grandstand at the Montreal Grand Prix track is located on the inside (right-hand side) of the circuit just before Turn 1.
The grandstand is close to the edge of the circuit and right up against the safety fence. It’s parallel to the track and is situated in the braking zone for Turn 1, the start of the Senna S, just before the apex of the left-hander.
Platine Grandstand tickets at Canadian Grand Prix
Tickets for the Platine Grandstand at the Montreal Grand Prix sell out very quickly on the official Canadian GP site, as being the only covered grandstand at the track it’s one of the most popular
So I would recommend buying tickets on Stubhub.
I’ve bought F1 tickets on Stubhub multiple times in the last 12 months, including when I went to the Vegas GP, and have always had a great experience.
Their FanProtect guarantee is pretty solid and will always keep your tickets and money safe. Plus they currently have a huge number of tickets available for the Canadian GP.
Platine Grandstand details
Cover
Platine Grandstand is covered. It’s the only grandstand at the Montreal Grand Prix that has a roof over the top so you will be protected from the rain and shaded from the sun. The sides aren’t covered, however, so you might still get a little wet if you’re sat on either end seat on the stand.
Seats
The seats are chairs with folding seat bases and back rests.
TV Screens
There’s a giant TV Screen directly next to this stand on the right hand side of it. It means you’ll have to turn 90 degrees to your right to see it, but it’s big and easy to see.
Platine Grandstand Seating Chart Montreal Grand Prix
Below is the Platine Grandstand seating chart at the Canadian Grand Prix.
As the chart shows the grandstand is made up of three sections numbered 1, 2 and 3. Section 1 is closest to Turn 1 and section 3 is closest to the start / finish line.
The rows in this grandstand are named using single letters. The front row lowest down is row A, the second row is row B etc. There are 12 rows in total with the back row being named Row L.
The seat numbers increase from left to right at you stand on the track and look at the grandstand. They start from 1 at the beginning of each section.
Sections 1 and 3 are 12 seats wide, section 2 is 26 seats wide.
Platine Grandstand views
The map below shows the parts of the circuit that are visible from the Platine Grandstand during the Formula 1 weekend.
The main part of the view from this grandstand is Turns 1 and 2, known as Senna Curve. From everywhere in the stand you can see all of Turn 1 and most of Turn 2. You will just lose the cars out of sight behind the barrier on the inside of the corner as they are about the exit Turn 2.
To the left of the stand you’ll see the cars appear shortly after they’ve crossed the start finish line. There’s a slight right-hand curve in the track at this point, and as the grandstand isn’t in line with the main straight unfortunately you can’t see down it very far.
The video below was filmed from section 1, row B, seat 7 of the Platine Grandstand.
This is the second row from the front and as you can see the fence is directly in front of you at this point. That makes it harder to see the cars approaching from the left as when you look along the fence line it becomes almost impossible to see through it.
You can also see just how great the visibility of the screen is, and how close to the action you are.
Best Seats in the Platine Grandstand
It’s only a small grandstand so there’s not a lot of choice here. The biggest difference you can make to your view is sitting either low down near the front or higher up near the back.
The video above shows the low down version where the fence is quite obstructive. Sitting higher up is definitely the way to go as it will give you a higher vantage point and the fence will play less of a part. I’d aim for the top 5 rows if possible, and wouldn’t be too fussed which section I was in. I’d probably go for section 1 just to be closer to the TV.
Is the Platine Grandstand a good place to sit at the Montreal Grand Prix?
Is the Platine Grandstand worth its four-figure price tag? That depends on how much value you put on keeping dry across the weekend.
The roof is the only justification for the price. The view is good, but not the absolute best. You’d definitely get a better view in Grandstand 11 at the Montreal Grand Prix, or even Grandstand 12. Both of those allow you to see down the main straight plus have better coverage of the exit of Turn 2. And both of those grandstands cost $400 CAD less than Platine.
One bonus of being here is you’re close to the podium. You’re close enough to get a great spot near the front to watch the winner lift the Canadian GP trophy after the race.
Nearest entrance
Getting to the Platine Grandstand at the Montreal Grand Prix is a bit of a walk. You should enter the circuit through the Casino entrance, walk through the inside of the track past past Grandstand 1 and then head towards the Platine stand. It’s a long old walk!
There is also a water taxi across the lake in the middle of the track that will save a lot of time. See our full guide to the Canada GP entrances for more information.
For details and information on getting to the circuit check out our comprehensive Canada F1 travel guide.
Other Canadian GP Grandstands
Check out our guides to all of the other Canadian Grand Prix grandstands as a comparison:
Does access to the palatine chalet come with the palatine grandstand ticket?
Hi John,
If you only have a Platine Grandstand ticket, I don’t think that gets you access to the Platine Chalet. But if you have a Chalet ticket then you do get access to the grandstand.
Platine not palatine – darn autocorrect