Montreal Street Circuit
Location
Ville-Marie, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Current Local Time
Track Info
Montréal Street Circuit - Montréal, Canada
Downtown Formula E street circuit near the St. Lawrence River - fast, technical and remembered for deciding the 2016-17 championship
When was the track built?
The Montréal Street Circuit was created specifically for Formula E's visit in 2017. Instead of using the permanent Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, organisers built a temporary course through streets east of the city centre.
The start and finish was on Boulevard René-Lévesque, while the lap also used Rue Viger and passed the former Maison Radio-Canada. Concrete barriers, fencing, grandstands and pit facilities were installed temporarily for the race weekend.
When was its first race?
The first Montréal E-Prix took place on 29 July 2017. Lucas di Grassi started from pole and won by only 0.350 seconds from Jean-Éric Vergne, moving ahead in a championship battle that had been led by Sébastien Buemi.
The second race followed the next day. Vergne took his first Formula E victory, while di Grassi finished seventh - enough to become the 2016-17 Formula E Drivers' Champion.
What's the circuit like?
- Quick for an early Formula E track: Montréal included several useful acceleration zones rather than being made entirely from slow corners and chicanes.
- Heavy braking: Long straights ended at tight city corners, giving drivers opportunities to attack rivals under braking.
- Wide in places: Compared with some of Formula E's narrow early street circuits, Montréal gave drivers more room to fight side by side.
- Concrete walls everywhere: There was still little forgiveness for mistakes, with barriers close to the cars throughout most of the lap.
Formula E benchmarks
- First winner: Lucas di Grassi won the opening race for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport.
- First pole: Di Grassi recorded a 1:22.869 to start the Saturday race from first place.
- Weekend benchmark: Di Grassi lowered the unofficial circuit best to 1:21.442 in practice on Sunday.
- Race lap record: Nicolas Prost recorded a 1:23.444 during the second race.
- Final winner: Jean-Éric Vergne won Sunday's race for TECHEETAH, just 0.896 seconds ahead of Felix Rosenqvist.
Why go?
Montréal provided exactly the kind of racing Formula E was created around: electric cars competing on real city streets with buildings, neighbourhoods and everyday roads immediately around the circuit.
The only race weekend was also unusually important. Fans watched a championship decided on Sunday, while Vergne earned the first Formula E victory of a career that would later include two Drivers' Championships.
Formula E has not returned to Montréal since 2017. A second double-header planned for 2018 was cancelled by the city amid concerns over the event's costs and financial model.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Start and finish straight: Premium grandstand seating provided views of the grid, race starts and cars accelerating along Boulevard René-Lévesque.
- Pit exit area: Another premium viewing option during the event, particularly interesting in the Gen1 era when drivers changed cars during the race.
- Turn 1 approach: A good place for watching the field arrive together under braking and for seeing overtaking attempts on the opening lap.
These viewing suggestions refer to the former 2017 Formula E event; the temporary Montréal Street Circuit is not currently used for racing.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Montréal Street Circuit (Canada)
The Montréal Street Circuit was a temporary Formula E course through the eastern side of downtown Montréal. Formula E no longer races here, but the former circuit area around Boulevard René-Lévesque, Rue Viger and Papineau is easy to explore by Metro, bus or on foot.
Is the Montréal Street Circuit still active?
The Montréal Street Circuit is no longer an active Formula E venue. It was created for the championship's 2017 season finale, with races held on 29 and 30 July.
Because it was a temporary street circuit, the barriers, grandstands, pit facilities and other racing infrastructure were removed after the event. The roads have returned to normal city use.
Do not confuse this former Formula E course with Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the permanent racing circuit on Île Notre-Dame used by Formula 1.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, Metro + walking is the easiest way to explore the former circuit. The course was built on normal streets close to downtown, so there is little reason to hire a car simply to visit the location.
Papineau is particularly useful for the eastern end of the former track, while Beaudry and Berri-UQAM provide convenient access from central Montréal.
Tip: Use Boulevard René-Lévesque Est and Avenue Papineau as a useful reference area rather than searching for a current circuit entrance.
Metro & public transport
- Papineau: on the Green Line and useful for the eastern side of the former circuit.
- Beaudry: also on the Green Line and convenient for approaching the old course from the west.
- Berri-UQAM: served by the Green, Orange and Yellow lines and useful if you are arriving from elsewhere in Montréal.
- Bus 150: currently travels along René-Lévesque and can also be useful for reaching the area.
Check the STM journey planner before travelling, as maintenance work can temporarily affect Metro stations and bus routes.
Driving & parking
Driving is possible, but public transport is normally easier because the former track lies close to downtown Montréal.
- Navigation: Boulevard René-Lévesque Est and Avenue Papineau provide a useful starting point.
- Parking: use current legal street parking or public parking facilities in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
- Check signs: Montréal street parking restrictions vary by location, day and time.
- No race parking: Formula E spectator car parks and temporary road closures from 2017 no longer apply.
Montréal airport
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL): the city's main airport for domestic and international visitors.
- 747 bus: operates 24 hours a day between the airport and downtown Montréal.
- Direct downtown option: the longer 747 route runs to Gare d'autocars de Montréal beside Berri-UQAM.
- Journey time: allow around 45–70 minutes for the long 747 route depending on traffic.
- From Berri-UQAM: continue east on the Green Line or walk towards the former circuit area.
About the former circuit
Montréal's Formula E circuit was created for the dramatic finale of the championship's third season and brought racing directly onto city streets.
- Length: 2.75 km.
- Corners: 14.
- Type: temporary street circuit.
- Start and finish: Boulevard René-Lévesque Est.
- Key section: Rue Viger Est and the Maison Radio-Canada area.
- Formula E races: 29–30 July 2017.
Visiting the area today
A good place to begin is Boulevard René-Lévesque Est near Papineau. From here you can explore the streets towards Rue Viger that formed much of the old Formula E setting.
The course passed through an active part of Ville-Marie, so today's roads, buildings and junctions may look different from 2017 race footage. These are normal public streets and should be explored from pavements and pedestrian crossings.
An old Formula E circuit map is useful for identifying individual corners because there is almost no permanent motorsport infrastructure remaining.
Accessibility
Berri-UQAM provides elevator access to its Green and Orange Line platforms, making it a useful starting point for visitors with reduced mobility. Accessibility differs between individual Metro stations, so check STM's current elevator information before choosing your route.
Montréal Street Circuit is no longer an active Formula E venue. Metro and bus services, street parking, construction and pedestrian access can change, so check current STM and City of Montréal information before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Montréal Street Circuit (Montréal, Canada)
Montréal’s former Formula E circuit brought electric racing onto downtown streets close to the St. Lawrence River and Old Montréal. Formula E no longer races here, but the old circuit area is well placed for museums, waterfront walks, historic streets and a visit to the city’s permanent Formula 1 circuit.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Montréal Science Centre: Interactive exhibitions in the Old Port make this one of the easiest choices with children, especially when the weather turns wet.
- La Grande Roue de Montréal: Ride the large observation wheel on the waterfront for views across Old Montréal, the St. Lawrence River and the city skyline.
- Old Port: Wide waterfront spaces, seasonal activities and plenty of places to stop make the harbour area easy to explore at your own pace.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Pointe-à-Callière: Montréal's archaeology and history museum stands where the city was founded and includes underground archaeological remains.
- Notre-Dame Basilica: Step inside one of Old Montréal's best-known landmarks, famous for its richly decorated interior.
- Old Montréal: Wander along Rue Saint-Paul and the surrounding cobbled streets for historic buildings, galleries, shops and cafés.
Eat & drink like a local
- Old Montréal: The simplest nearby area for cafés, bakeries, restaurants and an evening meal after sightseeing.
- Try poutine: Québec's famous combination of fries, cheese curds and gravy is an easy introduction to local comfort food.
- Montréal classics: If you venture farther across the city, look for Montréal-style bagels and smoked-meat sandwiches.
Explore Montréal outdoors
- Old Port waterfront: Walk beside the St. Lawrence River before heading through the historic streets of Old Montréal.
- Mount Royal: Head uphill for trails, parkland and one of the classic viewpoints over downtown Montréal.
- Parc Jean-Drapeau: Two islands in the river provide paths, green spaces and waterfront views only a short Metro ride from downtown.
Easy trips if you have more time
- Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve: Motorsport fans should visit Montréal's permanent Formula 1 circuit on Île Notre-Dame. Outside major events, parts of the circuit are used for recreation when open.
- Parc Jean-Drapeau: Combine the circuit with the Biosphère, riverside walks and the wider park for an easy half-day.
- Jean-Talon Market: Explore one of Montréal's best-known public markets for produce, Québec specialities and casual food.
- Lachine Canal: Follow the waterside paths by foot or bicycle for a slower afternoon away from the busiest downtown streets.
Good to know when visiting the old circuit
- Do not confuse the circuits: The Formula E race used downtown public streets. Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, home of the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix, is a completely different circuit.
- There is little racing infrastructure left: Treat the former Formula E route as a city sightseeing area rather than a preserved race track.
- Use public transport: Metro and bus services make Old Montréal and the surrounding downtown districts easier to explore without a car.
- Prepare for summer weather: Montréal can be hot and humid in July, so water and sun protection are useful for longer walks.
Formula E no longer races at Montréal Street Circuit. Museum hours, attraction access, circuit access and transport services can change - check current information before travelling.