Australian Grand Prix ⋅ Where to Watch
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Known for strong support events, chaotic races and one-of-a-kind atmosphere, the Australian Grand Prix is one for the bucket list. It’s fair to say some of the grandstands in Melbourne are underwhelming and you may look back on your photos and curse all that debris-fencing. There are also some real gems however and the best grandstands at Albert Park won’t disappoint. For fans on a budget, general admission offers some very reasonable views of the track for a fraction of the cost of grandstands.
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Best Grandstands at Albert Park
Main Straight: Fangio Grandstand
Like most main straight grandstands, the racing isn’t the main draw of the Fangio grandstand. But it is the place to see the race build-up, the start, lightning-fast pitstops, post-race interviews and the podium celebrations.
With little wheel-to-wheel racing at Albert Park wherever you are, it’s not a terrible idea to snap up tickets for the Fangio grandstand on Sunday.
If possible though, my tip though would be to choose Fangio for Friday. That way you can enjoy the people-watching and pitlane activity during practice but be somewhere with at least a chance of racing on Sunday.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS
Turn 1: Moss, Jones and Brabham Grandstands
Moss Grandstand
The Moss grandstand could be described as a ‘poor man’s’ Jones grandstand, but don’t let that put you off – it offers good views for this price range.
The stand is on the outside of the circuit between the grid and turn 1, beside the foot-bridge to the track interior. It’s a grandstand that is well-placed for access to the Fan Zone and further explorations of the circuit.
Alongside the first braking zone, the Moss grandstand provides a distant view of the often action-packed turn 1. It’s too far away to be the best vantage point for this corner but you could do a lot worse.
Considering the eye-watering price tags of other turn 1 grandstands (looking at you Jones and Brabham), the Moss grandstand is a great value alternative. This is the best choice of seats in the low-budget price range in Melbourne.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS WHEELCHAIR ACCESS BEST IN PRICE RANGEJones Grandstand
The Jones grandstand at Melbourne is at the exterior of the track, next to the first corner. Unfortunately for many seats, the view up the track to the pitlane exit is blocked by the branches of trees and the pedestrian bridge.
Albert Park’s rampant foliage isn’t an issue for lower rows, but any row below about row J has a view compromised by debris fencing anyway.
It’s not an ideal view, but it’s still one of the best grandstands to watch at turn 1.
HIGH BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS OVERTAKING SPOTBrabham Grandstand
The Brabham stand edges out Jones as the best grandstand at Albert Park. Located at the interior of turn 1, drivers exit the tight left-hander and ease the throttle around the long, curved left-hander of turn 2. These seats are perfectly placed for the thrills and spills of the first lap of the Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Blocks D, E and F have a slight advantage, offering a view more of the front of the car and less of the rear. Seats in the upper rows of the stand have a clear view of the apex to turn 1 – a great choice for keen photographers. Later in the day though the low angle of the sun can be an issue.
Great views aside, fans in the Brabham stand are also ideally placed for many of the extra attractions at Albert Park. The F1 Fan Zone is a short walk away so you won’t have a chance to get bored between track sessions.
HIGH BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS OVERTAKING SPOT BEST IN PRICE RANGE F1S CHOICE
Turn 3: Hill and Ricciardo Grandstands
Turn 3 has been the scene of several horror crashes over the years. Martin Brundle had his airborne escapades in his Jordan here in 1996. Fernando Alonso made a faithful recreation 20 years later in his McLaren.
Turn 3 always has the potential for an opportunistic pass too. It’s not uncommon to see drivers squabbling for position here and around the following section of the track.
Hill Grandstand
Formerly named the Piquet grandstand, the stand was renamed in 2022 (no prizes for guessing why). Now the Hill grandstand, it’s named after the first winner of the Grand Prix at Albert Park, Damon Hill.
From many seats in the grandstand, the view of turn 4 will be partially blocked by trees. Expect to have a view of turn 3 and if you can see turn 4 consider it a bonus.
A large and very necessary run-off area separates the Hill grandstand from the track. The distance to the track though is made up for by having the broadest possible view of this exciting corner.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS OVERTAKING SPOTRicciardo Grandstand
The Ricciardo grandstand moved from its old location at the exit of turn 4 and is now on the interior of the track and the exit of turn 3.
The view hasn’t changed much though. From seats in the Ricciardo stand, fans can still follow the racing from turn 3 to where they disappear around turn 4.
Unlike the Hill grandstand opposite, there’s zero run-off here so there’s nothing but a debris fence between you and the cars. The Ricciardo grandstand is partially covered.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS OVERTAKING SPOTTurn 5: Stewart Grandstand
This grandstand was a new grandstand for 2022 (first called Summerland, and renamed Stewart for 2023). Turn 5 is a moderately fast corner and a spot that generally sees little on-track action.
A ticket for the Stewart grandstand is a step above general admission if you want a reserved seat. But with a view that gives little to get excited about and a full eye-full of fence to boot, this is one grandstand that most fans should steer clear off.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSTurn 8: Button and Clark Grandstands
After a relatively fiddley first sector of tight corners and short bursts on the throttle, turns 6 and 9 mark the start and end points of the fast sector 2.
On the exterior of the circuit, the Button and Clark grandstands offer fans in Melbourne a rare chance to see F1 cars at speed. Throw in a magnificent backdrop of Albert Park Lake and you’ve got the makings of a classic Australian GP view.
Button Grandstand
One of the new grandstands for 2022 (previously The Balconies), the Button grandstand is on the spot of a long popular general admission area.
The grandstand gives a bit of extra elevation letting fans take in a greater expanse of the track now. The view is of the fast, sweeping turn 8 and it’s a great vantage point to admire the incredible downforce of an F1 car cornering at speed.
This isn’t a place you’d expect to see overtaking though and on a weekend ticket, the excitement may soon start to wane. As far as I’m concerned this is a good one-day option to get a change from the usual 90-degree tight right-handers that the Albert Park circuit is known for.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSClark Grandstand
Introduced in 2022 the new Clark grandstand keeps the name of the original but the view is very different. Turn 8 has by this point tapered out to what is effectively a straight in an F1 car. Slip-streaming passes can happen here and at these immense speeds are very exciting when they do.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSTurns 9 & 10: Waite Grandstand
After the long back straight, turns 9 and 10 are a fast, sweeping switchback. It’s always a pleasure to see an F1 car thread between the curbs, flicking left then right all in the blink of an eye. Overtaking is rare but not impossible here — unless you’re Carlos Sainz in 2022, where an ill-judged pass on Mick Schumacher saw him ending his race in the gravel trap.
Here’s a little bonus trivia for you. You might be wondering who on Earth is Waite and what’s he doing in such esteemed company as F1 legends like Senna, Fangio, Clark and Schumacher. Adelaide-born Arthur Waite was in fact the winner of the first Australian Grand Prix, held in 1928 at the nearby Phillip Island circuit.
Tip: Though the Waite grandstand has the best view of this section of track, if you want a similar view without the grandstand price tag head for the ever-popular general admission area nearby known as Brocky’s Hill.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSTurn 11: Vettel and Webber Grandstands
The fast-flowing middle sector funnels cars into the sharp Turn 11. At the end of a long straight and DRS zone, there’s every possibility of overtakes into the heavy braking zone.
Vettel Grandstand
Formerly The Pinnacles, the Vettel grandstand is on the exterior of the track and has the best view of turn 11. Unlike the Webber grandstand opposite, the grandstand features a broader view that includes the approach and exit of the corner.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSWebber Grandstand
The Webber grandstand’s new location is a big improvement on the main straight bore-fest it used to be. Now at the interior of the circuit at turn 11, it offers fans here a view of this crucial corner. Facing the apex of the corner though, much of the approach is unsighted from this grandstand.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSTurn 12: Lauda Grandstand
While by no means an overtaking spot, the Lauda grandstand offers a broad view of this medium-speed section of the track. Fans seated in the upper rows benefit from partially fence-free views making it a perfect spot for photographs.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS
Turns 13 & 14: Schumacher, Prost & Senna Grandstands
The final two corners at Albert Park are critical and it’s where some of the circuit’s most popular grandstands are. The tight left-hander leads onto the final turn – a long drawn-out right, wrapping around the pitlane entry. The final corner feeds onto the long main straight. The optimal line through here can mean the perfect hot lap in quali and in the race the chance to make an overtake into turn 1.
Schumacher Grandstand
The Schumacher grandstand is placed between turns 13 and 14. Spectators here can see the final two corners of the circuit and the pitlane entrance.
Fans sitting in the right side of the stand (blocks G, H, J) in the upper-most rows are in a prime position to photograph the cars in the low-speed penultimate corner.
Giant screens accompany this grandstand but are far away so bring binoculars. The Schumacher grandstand is partially covered.
Prost Grandstand
Ah, the old Prost vs. Senna debate. Alongside each other at the final corner, the Prost and Senna grandstands offer similar views. But, while I’ll spend my dying breath arguing that Senna was a better F1 driver, it’s Prost that wins this rivalry of aptly named grandstands.
From seats in the Prost stand the penultimate corner is also visible giving it the edge over the Senna grandstand. From here fans can follow the action from this tight left-hander, around the fast-sweeping final curve onto the main straight. The view can vary depending on the section your seats are in, so try to get seats in the middle blocks if you have a choice.
Although you can see the pit entry, don’t expect to see any pitlane action from here — that all takes place further down. Some seats in the Prost grandstand are covered.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS BEST IN PRICE RANGESenna Grandstand
The weakest of this trio of grandstands, the Senna grandstand affords fans here a one-corner view.
At the exit of the final corner, you’re very unlikely to see overtaking from the Senna grandstand. But as the best grandstand to see the crucial final corner you’ll see drivers on the edge of ability and grip.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATSSubmit your Grand Prix pics here
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General Admission Experience at Albert Park (AusGP Park Pass)
General admission at the Melbourne Grand Prix boasts a nice variety of vantage points, some close to the track in true street circuit fashion and others that offer more wide sweeping views of the track to appreciate F1 cars as they are really meant to be seen. You can and should walk just about all the way around the track. Make your way to one of the popular viewing areas that feature raised grassy mounds to enable better viewing, or just find your own little spot where you want to watch from.
Turn 9 and 10: Brocky’s Hill
Of Albert Park’s many general admission vantage points Brocky’s Hill is one of the best places to watch from and regulars who have been coming for years come back to this spot time and time again. Crowded? Check. Rowdy? Check. But don’t let any of that put you off. It only adds to the atmosphere of this little hill tribe of die-hard F1 fans.
Situated near the Waite stand at turn 10 on the exterior of the track, a raised bank lets you follow the action sweeping through a fast left-right section. Overtakes are rare but it is an excellent example of the grip and speed of an F1 car and an F1 driver’s reflexes.
Take your time to look around this section of the circuit as there is a spattering of decent vantage points dotted around this fast, exciting section.
Turn 8 to 9
A nice spot to see an F1 car’s epic acceleration ability, the hill overlooking the sweeping section of track between turns 8 and 9 allows a view from the exit of the slow 90-degree turn 10 and is close to Brocky’s Hill.
Turn 2
Turn 2 is another prime location for general admission at the Australian Grand Prix. There is a raised grassy bank here and if you can get a spot that allows you to see the apex of turn one you won’t be disappointed.
Keen sprinters are advised that they are in the perfect position to invade the track come the end of the race and run like hell to see the podium before the champagne has finished spraying.
Turn 5
All alone in the far reaches of the circuit between gate 4 and gate 5 is turn 5. This tight right-hander, far away from everything is overlooked by many spectators but it is one of the spots that gets you closest to the action. If you’re lucky enough to find a gap in the fencing it can be an excellent spot for photographs of the cars. All in all probably not the kind of place you’ll want to stay for the whole race, but an area well worth a look.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 30 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
