My F1 experience with Amex at the FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026
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Article sponsored by American Express Canada. The opinions and anecdotes shared in this story are my own.
Three days, 350,000 fans, a Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit packed from morning to night. The FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026 took place on Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24 in Montreal, and I was there. I spent the weekend with my American Express Platinum Card in my pocket, and I am going to tell you why it makes a tangible difference in how you experience a Grand Prix.
I’ve attended several Formula 1 races in Monaco and Miami, but this was my first time in Montreal! Before diving into the day-by-day account, subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss any of our upcoming event reports.
A benefit that starts months before the race
The first benefit of the American Express Platinum Card for an F1® fan is not seen at the track. In fact, it happens months before the race, at ticket sales time. Eligible Amex Cardmembers get early access to ticket sales for F1® races worldwide, including the Canadian Grand Prix. It made all the difference for me: I was able to choose my seats before sales opened to the general public.
For details on Amex F1® benefits worldwide, go here: Amex benefits on Formula1.com. If you are new to the card, take a look at our tutorial American Express: Getting started with the American Express Platinum Card to understand how to activate your privileges as soon as you receive it.
Priority entry and day-of logistics
On race day, the difference is obvious. While the general lines stretched as far as the eye could see, I went through the Amex priority entrance reserved for Cardmembers. A few minutes, and I was inside. Over three days, that small privilege changes how tired you feel.
On the transportation side, the STM managed the crowds well. The metro ride in was fairly smooth each morning. However, let us be honest: leaving the circuit each evening was another story. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes between the moment you leave your grandstand and the moment you board a train. So, jokingly, I suggest Amex add a “priority exit” to its list of benefits. That would be the next level.
Friday and Saturday in the sunshine
Friday and Saturday: blue skies, warm—clearly the two best days of the weekend. Perfect for enjoying outdoor activities, hanging out in the Fan Zone, and spending time on the terraces of the Amex spaces. The weather clearly contributed to the overall atmosphere at the circuit.
Amex Racing Club: two floors, two vibes
The Amex Racing Club was my weekend HQ.
The official slogan sets the tone:
Experience race weekend like never before with exclusive F1® experiences for Cardmembers. From unforgettable photo opportunities to immersive activities, energetic challenges, personalized creations at our custom accessory stations, and a dedicated relaxation room to rest and recharge, celebrate your passion for F1® in style.
In practical terms, the club spans two floors. On the first, there is a phone-lanyard customization station, interactive challenges, and the distribution of goodies.
Customization stations and goodies offered on the first floor of the Amex Racing Club.
The contents of the kit vary depending on the level of Amex card you present.
I received a power bank, a scarf, and hand sanitizer, but other cardholders left with different kits.
The second floor is the Recovery Room where you can relax between races.
That is where it becomes truly comfortable: massage chairs, mirrors to touch up makeup or freshen up, sunscreen available, and a Gatorade stand to replenish electrolytes after a day in the sun.
You will also find collections of F1 ACADEMY™ helmets and outfits on display, and meet-and-greet moments with drivers depending on the time slots.
Amex Race Radios to follow every turn
Another very tangible benefit: Amex Race Radios.
You stop by an Amex kiosk, pick up a radio, turn it on, and listen to live commentary all day long.
As Amex puts it:
Do not miss a moment with your Amex Race Radio: pick up a radio at Amex-branded kiosks and tune in to live F1® commentary.
The audio quality was excellent, and the commentary was very strong.
A fun anecdote: one of the presenters is none other than Meeker Guerrier, a former colleague. All weekend long, I heard his voice breaking down the sessions, strategies, and pit stops. It also added a familiar touch to the experience, which I found very amusing.
Fan Zone and shop credit
The Fan Zone is the other major highlight for Amex cardholders. Several activities offer priority access: photos on the official podium, pit-stop tire-change trials, simulators, and interactive installations.
With blue skies on Friday and Saturday, I was able to go from one activation to the next without having to rush.
On the shopping side, Amex offered a statement credit throughout the weekend for purchases made in the circuit shops.
In my case, it was $20 credited for a minimum of $100 spent. Enough to treat myself to a nice team cap.
- Priority entry: dedicated line for Amex cardholders at the circuit’s main entrance
- Amex Racing Club: two floors of activities, goodies, Recovery Room
- Race Radios: free radio with live F1® commentary
- Priority Fan Zone: faster access to the podium and the tire-change trial
- Shop credit: $20 credited per $100 in purchases
- Trackside Lounge: trackside grandstand seat by reservation
Trackside Lounge by the track
The Trackside Lounge requires reserving a time slot, but it is easy: I was able to get one per day over the three days without any difficulty.
Eligible Cardmembers can reserve their spot at the Trackside Lounge for a premium, exclusive viewing experience. Enjoy expert analysis on race day, follow highlights on screen, and savour signature cocktails, all while feeling the pulse of the track.
In practical terms, you get a trackside grandstand seat, screens to follow other sections of the circuit, and an on-site expert to comment on race strategy.
Bonus touch: Amex’s Shop Small team, which champions small Canadian businesses, was handing out artisanal cookies from Unicone on site. A thoughtful gesture.
Sunday, race day in the rain
Sunday brought a change of scenery. Cold, rainy, grey skies. And yet, ideal weather for an exciting Grand Prix: it is often when the asphalt is wet that the best races happen.
The track delivered on its promise, with tire strategies flipping in just a few laps.
Since the weather did not invite lingering outside, I spent more time in the covered Amex spaces: the Recovery Room, the Trackside Lounge, and I made heavy use of the Race Radio so I would not miss anything between two sheltered moments. It is in these situations that the benefits really come into their own.
Maison Amex downtown
Outside the circuit, Amex set up its lounge club right downtown: Maison Amex.
Nestled in the heart of Montreal, this bespoke enclave offers a haven of understated indulgence. Settle into leather armchairs and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails available à la carte, accompanied by complimentary canapés from Chef Danny Smiles of Le Violon, recognized among Canada’s top 100 restaurants. Access to Maison Amex is reserved for eligible Cardmembers (and their guest) throughout race weekend.
My impression: Maison Amex improves year after year. The atmosphere truly feels like a private club in the heart of the city. It is the perfect place at the end of the day to unwind before heading back to the metro or your hotel.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Memorable encounters of the weekend
Beyond the spaces and privileges, it is the encounters that make a Grand Prix stay etched in your memory.
Ava Dobson, F1 ACADEMY™ ambassador
I was lucky enough to run into Ava Dobson, an F1 ACADEMY™ driver and a figure in the Amex program. She was signing souvenir cards and taking the time to chat with fans. Amex’s commitment to the next generation of women in motorsport is tangible and visible on site, not just in a brochure.
Jean Alesi and the hood anecdote
The highlight of the weekend for me was meeting Jean Alesi. The French driver from my childhood.
We talked about his victory lap of honour at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix, when he went around the circuit sitting on the hood of Michael Schumacher’s car because his had broken down. It was an image that stuck with me at the time on my TV at home. He told me all the details of that funny situation—the improvised side of it, the atmosphere in parc fermé. Thirty-one years later, hearing the story directly from him was a great memory.
Sightings of current drivers
Over the weekend, I also caught sight of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Lance Stroll in the paddock.
It is always impressive to see these drivers in the flesh, just a few metres away, coming out of a qualifying session or climbing into their single-seater.
My highlights and my Amex wish
- Early ticket access: choosing seats before sales open to the general public—an enormous advantage for the Canadian Grand Prix
- Comfort over three days: the Recovery Room, massage chairs, and refreshment station make the difference
- Race Radios: live commentary in your ears all day—truly immersive
- Maison Amex: a refined downtown retreat at the end of the day, jazz ambiance and canapés from Chef Danny Smiles
- Leaving the circuit: about 1 hour 30 minutes each evening to reach the metro. Jokingly, I suggest Amex add a “priority exit” to the list of benefits. That would be the cherry on top.
Why Amex enhances the F1® experience every year
Over the years, Amex has added layers to its Grand Prix offering: first priority entrances, then the Racing Club, then Race Radios, the Trackside Lounge, and now Maison Amex downtown. In 2026, the experience became cohesive from one end of the weekend to the other, from the moment you buy your ticket to the last cocktail in the city.
If you want to experience the CANADIAN GRAND PRIX under these conditions next year, the American Express Platinum Card is the key.
For entrepreneurs, the American Express Business Platinum Card also gives access to these F1® privileges. Also remember to activate the benefits linked to the American Express Platinum Card as soon as you receive it so you do not miss anything.
To compare all options, see our selection of the best credit cards in Canada and the best American Express cards category.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026 – Frequently asked questions
What Amex benefits are offered at the FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026?
Eligible Amex Cardmembers receive priority entry to the circuit, access to the Amex Racing Club and the Recovery Room, a free Race Radio, priority access to certain Fan Zone activities, a $20 shop credit for $100 in purchases, the Trackside Lounge by reservation, and Maison Amex downtown.
How do you get early access to F1® ticket sales?
Early access to F1® ticket sales is offered to eligible Amex Cardmembers worldwide. You need to watch the on-sale dates and use your Amex card at the time of purchase. For more details, see the Amex page on Formula1.com.
Which Amex card gives access to these F1® benefits?
Both the American Express Platinum Card and the American Express Business Platinum Card provide access to the F1® experiences described in this article. Some activations may also be open to other eligible Amex cards, to be confirmed each year with Amex Canada.
Do you need a reservation to access the Trackside Lounge?
Yes, the Trackside Lounge operates in time slots reserved in advance. In my case, I was able to get one slot per day over the three days without difficulty. Reservations are made online or via Amex channels at the start of race weekend.
Is Maison Amex open all weekend?
Yes, Maison Amex is open throughout race weekend to eligible cardholders and their guest. You will find leather armchairs, jazz, signature cocktails available à la carte, and complimentary canapés prepared by Chef Danny Smiles of Le Violon.
How does the circuit shop credit work?
During the weekend, Amex offers a statement credit applicable to purchases made in the circuit’s official shops. In my case, I received $20 credited for $100 spent. The credit appears on your Amex statement after a few days.
Are Race Radios free for Amex cardholders?
Yes, Race Radios are distributed free of charge to eligible Amex Cardmembers. Simply stop by one of the Amex kiosks at the circuit, present your card, and pick up a radio to follow live F1® commentary all day long.
Which day is best to attend the Canadian Grand Prix?
Each day offers a different experience. Friday and Saturday are perfect for enjoying the Fan Zone and outdoor activities, especially in good weather. Sunday remains the main race day. Ideally, get a three-day ticket to experience the full weekend.