Canadian Grand Prix Open House
Posted June 6, 2024 9:04 am.
Last Updated June 13, 2024 6:04 pm.
Fans from around the world are in Montreal for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
They were up bright and early Thursday to get onto the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Open House.
They’ll get to do a pit lane walk on the track and see their favourite teams fine-tuning the F1 cars that will race on Île Notre-Dame on Sunday.
Thousands of fans, including Kim Reimer from Tallahassee, Florida, showed off his hand-made Ferrari car hat.
Reimer has been a staple on the Canadian Grand Prix scene for years, become a sort of “fan celebrity” in the city and easily recognizable with his hat. He’s been coming to Montreal for the Grand Prix for years and has created a new hat for each race.
“My first year was 2007,” said Reimer. “I make a new hat each year because they change the car every year. And this is hat number 20 that I’ve made.”
“There are just a few official happy times in life. There’s graduating from high school and college. There’s getting married. These are official happy times. And for me, coming to the races is an official happy time,” he added.
“I just like coming to the races and seeing all the cars in person, instead of on a big tv,” said one young F1 fan CityNews met on Thursday morning.
“I came to Formula 1 when I was a teenager, that was before I had this grey hair,” said another F1 fan named Ron. “This is the third year in a row now, I’m here. I follow it when they’re all over the world. So it’s interesting when they’re in our own country. It’s interesting to follow the big names. My favourite is Ferrari obviously. It’s good to get up close to the drivers and see the action. Yes, I’m very confident that Carlos [Sainz] will be first.”
“I’m hoping to see some of the garage crew,” said one Red Bull racing fan. “I want to track him down and get a picture with him. I don’t think any of the drivers will be there, it’s a bit early in the day.”
“The pit walk is the first time. We were surprised when we got the tickets, so it was a nice surprise,” added another Red Bull fan.
