Montreal Grand Prix, Canada

Montreal Grand Prix 2011, or Grand Prix du Canada, is an annual Formula 1 car race held at Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal, Canada on an island within the scenic St Lawrence River. The Canadian Grand Prix races were the third most popular televised sporting event in 2005 after the Super Bowl and the Final UEFA Champions League. It was also the most popular of any Formula One Grand Prix televised event in the same year. The race takes place annually over three days in mid-June. With a 189-mile track, spectators can watch lightning-fast race cars traverse 70 laps, each 2.88 miles in length, to compete for the years Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix title.

Montreal Grand Prix History and Facts

One of the top things to do in Montreal is attending sporting events, and since 1961, the Montreal Grand Prix has been at the top of the list. Six years later, Montreal Grand Prix created an alliance with Formula One World Championships, and has been part of the league ever since. The races first took place in Bowmanville, a city an hour north of Toronto, as race car competitions. In 1967, the event was snagged by Formula One and then moved between two venues until a permanent home was made at Mosport in 1971. Seven years later the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix was moved to Montreal’s Île Notre-Dame, now its permanent home. A manmade island within the St Lawrence River, Île Notre-Dame is close to downtown, where many of the biggest attractions are located.

It wouldn’t be the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix without the big bashes opening the same weekend, mainly Crescent Street Formula 1 Fest, attended by more than a half-million people. Grand Prix weekend is a frenzy of lively activity, with Nuit Blanche sur Tableau Noir, the science and technology celebration of Eureka Festival, tons of DJs during late-night Stereo Afterhours and Circus Afterhours, La Porte Rouge Street Parties, Catch the Fireworks Competition at Vieux Port, and dozens of free outdoor music shows.

Tickets to Montreal Grand Prix

Tickets to Montreal Grand Prix 2011 are not inexpensive, but most of the grandstand seats offer excellent views of a specific panorama. For instance, from Grandstand 33, fans will have a great view of turn 6 and turn 7 along with a fantastic view of the city skyline. From Grandstand 15, race fans get a bird’s eye view of the hairpin, considered one of the most exciting turns for passing. There are also general admission tickets available for three days, or either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday with the last being the most expensive as it presents the qualifying races and winners.

Directions to Montreal Grand Prix

Once in Montreal, drive from the downtown to Jaques Cartier Bridge and take the exit for Jean Drapeau to the races. By public transit, from the metro station called Beri-Uqam, take the yellow line to Longueuil-Universite Sherbrooke and then get off at the Jean Drapeau metro station adjacent to the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit. From there, the 167 public bus takes passengers directly to the venue, or, walk the fifteen minutes to the circuit.

Lodging near Montreal Grand Prix

Lodging near the Montreal Grand Prix 2011 is accommodated mainly by the events’ partners that include the Marriott, Westin, Le Saint-James, Le Place D’Armes, Hôtel Le Crystal, Sofitel Montreal, and Intercontinental Hotel. Joining the list are a dozen or so Montreal hotels, each offering special rates and vacation packages during the 2011 Grand Prix weekend. Most are close to weekend events, nightlife, and other major tourist amenities. If you’re just squeaking by on your budget, don’t miss the city’s cheap hotels to offer some cost relief.