Experience the F1 Paddock Club in BWT Alpine F1 VIP box with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix

During the Canadian Grand Prix, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Alpine F1 team’s box to enjoy an experience at the F1 Paddock Club with in BWT Alpine VIP box with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix. MSC Cruises and its sister company, Explora Journeys, are partners of F1, and MSC Cruises is also a partner of the BWT Alpine F1 team, whose star driver is Pierre Gasly, who has just extended his contract with the team until 2028. Here are the details of my day at the Formula 1 circuit located on Île Notre-Dame in Montreal.

Arrival at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to enjoy the experience at the F1 Paddock Club in BWT Alpine F1 VIP box with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix

I received this invitation for Saturday, when the qualifying rounds were taking place. I must say that I have been lucky enough to travel twice with MSC Cruises at their invitation, including once with their luxury brand, Explora Journeys.

I had already experienced the Paddock Club a few years ago, when it first opened, but it wasn’t in a team box, and this time the experience in the BWT Alpine F1 Paddock Club with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix was truly extraordinary and out of the ordinary.

The MSC Cruises team was waiting for us at their historic offices, formerly those of La Presse, for a chartered vehicle trip to the Gilles Villeneuve circuit. What an experience! After a short ride in a luxury SUV, we arrived at the Casino and headed for the boats, because yes, we accessed the Paddock Club by boat (we could have chosen to walk, but hey, we were VIPs after all). After a short boat ride, we were greeted at the dock with a selection of drinks: Moët & Chandon Champagne, French Bloom non-alcoholic Champagne, or a Mimosa with either of these two options. For my part, I opted for champagne rather than a Mimosa. 

Heading to the F1 Paddock Club in BWT Alpine F1 VIP box with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix

The entrance to the Paddock Club is truly spectacular. You have to climb stairs covered in black carpet before reaching the security area. Make sure you don’t forget or lose your access card, otherwise you won’t be able to enter. 

As I was initially with the group of travel advisors and MSC Cruises employees, I headed to the partners’ box, located on the second floor, right next to the LVMH VIP box. It is important to note that there are a limited number of tables. In addition, the number of guests cannot exceed the number of seats reserved by the partners. So my colleague and I noticed that we had tickets for the BWT Alpine F1 team VIP box (Alpine is pronounced in French, as it is a French team). We, therefore, went back downstairs and made the rather long journey to the Alpine F1 team box.

The Alpine F1 VIP box environment

Some people might argue that it’s not the biggest or most lavish box, but the essence of the experience is the same. We’ll demonstrate everything in a video soon. It’s clear that, compared to the Aston Martin Formula 1 team’s box next door (some friends we met at the Glenfiddich 1959 Club dinner, which I’ll tell you about in another article, were there), ours was less well appointed. It should be noted that it belongs to a Canadian, Laurence Stroll, who may have wanted to give us more for the Canadian Grand Prix. But let’s get back to our experience in the BWT Alpine F1 Paddock Club with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix. The BWT Alpine F1 box, although smaller and less luxurious, offers exactly the same drinks and food (the latter is served in areas outside the boxes) as the ones next door, except perhaps those with drinks sponsors, which offer more. For those who prefer champagne, look no further: Formula 1’s official champagne sponsor Moët & Chandon will satisfy your desires, and as much as you want. Not to mention the white, red and rosé wines, also from the Moët Hennessy range (Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de Los Andes and Whispering Angel).

The cuisine is also a highlight; the number of options was quite impressive, and everything was absolutely delicious. Whether it was pasta, beef, or pavlova for dessert, it was better than some restaurants in Montreal. 

Please note that on the second floor, you will find ice cream, pizza and other food items, which are also free of charge. In addition, there is a huge television set in this area with sofas so you don’t miss any of the race action.

The Pit Lane Walk, a fascinating experience.

One of the highlights is being able to see the F1 cars up close. And even cross the ropes, with our pass, to take photos with the BWT Alpine F1 car. It’s really impressive to see the drivers and the cars. It’s even more fascinating to see all the equipment that travels from city to city around the world. The name “F1 Grand Circus” is really appropriate, because that’s exactly what it is: a travelling show for Formula 1 fans in different cities. The people from the teams are so welcoming and friendly, even when you disturb them in their work. 

The visit to the BWT Alpine F1 garage, the highlight of our experience in the F1 Paddock Club with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix

Being in the paddock of a Formula One team, MSC Cruises, in my case, comes with certain privileges, such as visiting the team’s garage. It’s truly a unique experience. First of all, there’s security. You have to pass through several security checkpoints to enter the BWT Alpine F1 garage.

You must exercise caution when filming, as some data is off-limits because it is confidential statistics (such as vehicle data and configuration) that could give other teams an advantage if shared on social media. We are being watched. It’s also quite noisy with engine tests to push the cars to their limits. The attention to cleanliness inside the garage is simply fascinating. You could eat off the floor. It’s funny to say that when you compare it to most car garages, which are far from that. Here, it’s white, immaculate, everything is in its place, nothing is lying around. It’s really like in the movie F1, everything is the same, except for the decoration, which varies from team to team, it must be said.

Qualifications, the final stage of our experience in the F1 Paddock Club in the BWT Alpine F1 VIP Box with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix

Watching the qualifying rounds is fascinating. Unfortunately, our seats are not in the best location during the race. We can’t see the cars very well, since we are above the pits where pit stops are made, and not in a hairpin or other corner where the action is often at its peak. However, the comfort, food, indoor screens and Meeker Guerrier’s commentary allow us to be fully immersed in the atmosphere of the race, or qualifying, as was the case for us, even though we also watched the exciting F1 Academy race, featuring female drivers.

When we returned, the situation proved to be more difficult, as we did not have the chartered SUVs reserved for the other guests, but only buses that took us to the car park near the MELS studios. In short, it was not the best experience, with waiting, people pushing in, a lot of crowding and a clear lack of direction from the Canadian Grand Prix organizers. 

Despite these minor hiccups, it was an incredible day, under the blazing sun, for my experience at the F1 Paddock Club in the BWT Alpine VIP Box with MSC Cruises at the Canadian Grand Prix. It’s the best way to enjoy a premium Grand Prix experience.

In addition, MSC Cruises’ sister company, Explora Journeys, is once again offering its Grand Prix experience in Monaco in 2026.