Canadian Grand Prix F1 Packages
10th June 2012
After the razzmatazz of Monte Carlo Formula 1 makes its first journey to North America as Canada signals the return of real racing in the wonderful city of Montreal, with its French influences and fantastic circuit located on the island of Il Notre Dame, an island nestled in the middle of the vast St Lawrence sea way. Montreal simply comes alive at Grand Prix weekend and embraces the Grand Prix like no other host city with superb F1 hospitality and huge sections of downtown closed off to traffic to make space for a proper party!
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The very popular Paddock Club in Montreal is located above the pits, but unlike many others with this location around the world the pit complex is aging and much smaller so your vantage point and hospitality suites are just one level up and very close to the action! A small garden area at the entrance gives an amazing view of the cars breaking from 200mph into the pitlane, or negotiating the tricky Champions corner whilst you sip champagne!
Other hospitality is available further around to turn 1 in private suites organized by the Circuit, this offers a lower cost hospitality option but pit walks and other benefits that Paddock Club offers such as driver appearances are not included. However, the view into turn one is great and a head on view of the grid is possible whereas the Paddock Club offers outstanding close up views of the grid itself.
Around the circuit viewing from grandstands is diverse and excellent, the largest assemblages of people can be found unsurprisingly in turns 1, 2 and 3 grandstands (nos. 11 and 12) which offer great views. Other major viewing areas BAM enjoy are the stands at the hairpin or the cheaper stands at the back of the circuit, these are often overlooked by others but we love them for their accessibility, value and proximity to the entertainment!
Montreal embraces the Grand Prix like no other host city, they love to have it, they love to entertain the visitors and they really love a party! So opportunities to eat, drink and dance are abundant.
The biggest party area to head for downtown is Crescent Street, the streets are closed to traffic and big stages are erected with bands playing into the night. The streets are lined with great restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the atmosphere from the many open air terraces. Jacques Villeneuve has a restaurant here right in the heart of the action that’s a must visit over the Grand Prix weekend!
Another legendary venue for post race late night entertainment is Buonanotte, a restaurant come club which is often frequented by drivers and team personnel, where the tables you have eaten on earlier become dance floors as the hours roll on.
For those seeking a more peaceful time after the days racing head down to the old Montreal, where many French style bistros and cafes can be found, as well as some fine dining establishments and great creperies, a speciality of Montreal, there is also a China town for those needing a noodle fix.
For entertainment away from the Grand Prix Montreal is home to the performing arts company Cirque de Soleil, the legendary circus which hails from here, this is a must see show but note there is no performance on a Monday at the time of writing.
Or for adrenaline junkies why not take a jet boat up the St Lawrence and shoot some white water rapids? Great fun for everyone, but you are going to get wet… very wet!
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Named after the late great Gilles Villeneuve the Circuit of Notre Dame provides the perfect challenge in a perfect setting which creates quite a unique atmosphere on the Grand Prix Calendar. Moving from corner to corner is a stroll in the park, literally, with waterways, woodland and even a beach!
Walk or travel by water taxi and you will come across vantage point after vantage point of diversity with one of the longest straights on the calendar where cars run at over 200mph alongside the seaway into the infamous “champions” corner where many a Former 1 World Champions have come to grief. There is very much a relaxed and party atmosphere in Montreal with open air plazas showing live entertainment and the largest variety of eateries we have seen anywhere on the calendar. There is even a casino, a space age structure built for the expo that originally took place on the island.
After the days activities it is possible to walk back to downtown Montreal in around an hour, a pleasant walk crossing two vast bridges across the St Lawrence, or alternatively take the convenient Metro system back into town which has a station at the circuit making the Canadian GP one of the most accessible.
To enquire about what BAM can offer at this event please call +44 (0)1442 891 500 or click the contact link below and one of our experienced team will be on hand to tailor make your event package.