PlanYourItalianGrand Prix

Spectators watching F1 at Monza are spoiled for choice. There’s a surprisingly varied array of views for what is a track consisting mostly of long straights split up with chicanes. There’s no clear winner in the general admission versus grandstand debate with good views for all and a general sense that you get what you pay for.

Grandstands at Monza are for the most part steel or concrete bleacher-style seating and are not renowned for their comfort. Get up for a stretch often and if you’re a bony bum, bring a cushion.

Grandstands on the main straight at Monza put you right in the Ferrari-red heart of the action. If you’re in the giant, hoard of fans in Laterale Destra or one of the smaller pit straight grandstands the atmosphere is unparalleled at Monza or any other Grand Prix circuit.

Ferrari fan or not, being among the passionate Tifosi here is an unforgettable experience. And come the end of the race you’re in a prime spot for the most famous track invasion of them all.

Laterale Destra – or Grandstand 26 – is a large grandstand that borders the grid. It’s the best place to be to experience the build-up to the race, all the action in the pits and the podium ceremony.

It stretches from the first few rows of the grid (though the first row is best seen from Centrale Grandstand) down to where fans have a distant view of the long, drawn-out exit of the Parabolica. From this end (block 1) you have the best seats at Monza to watch the podium celebrations without moving a muscle.

The Centrale Grandstand (1) is itself a part of Monza’s epic history, hosting Grand Prix spectators since it was constructed in 1938. The two blocks on the right-hand side of the stand are opposite the grid – pole position markings are roughly opposite seat 58 in block 2, near the central partition.

This grandstand is only partially covered and if sat in the lower rows you may be exposed to the sun for some period of the day and be more affected by heavy rain.

Shouldered by Monza’s evocative banking there is even a sense of history here, at what is the circuit’s newest corner – the re-profiled Alta Velocita turn 1. It’s one of the season’s tightest first corners and there are often clashes here on the first lap. Coming after a long straight it’s always the scene of the most overtaking.

Grandstands on the interior of turn 1 just have the edge over Grandstand 8. Benefiting from a broader view of the braking zone on the approach to the chicane, they give a better chance to see the complete move.

The fencing covers the view of the track on the approach but given the distance, you won’t find it too intrusive unless you’re a serious photographer. At the chicane, there is a clearer view of the cars.

Grandstand 6C, closest to the apex is the most sought-after view but 6B at a slightly lower price point is worth considering.

Bring a long-range telescope if you’re in 6A though as it’s quite a distance from the corner. You’ll be able to tell the difference between a Ferrari and a stray cat but it’s too far to appreciate the drivers’ skill in negotiating this turn. The best views of the corner are from higher up, but with foliage blocking the view in the other direction, seats in the mid rows are best.

In some respects, the view from Grandstand 8 is better than its neighbour on the other side of the track. The view as the cars enter and then round the chicane is of the front and side more than the rear before they scream off towards the Curva Grande.

Higher rows of the pricier 8B Grandstand have a clearer view of the chicane but much of the view of the approach is blocked by overhanging tree branches. The royal park’s protected flora isn’t so much of a menace in 8A, but being lower down beside the safety fencing fans here don’t see much more of the braking zone.

The Seconda Variante (that’s second chicane to you and me) offers a cheaper alternative to some of the turn 1 grandstands. Having a similar view, Grandstands 9 and 10 represent good bang for buck. Lemos one and two are nearby so should you feel like a change of scenery at any point you won’t have to go far.

Okay, it’s not the first corner, but on lap one the cars are still very tightly packed, jostling for position and though overtakes are less common here they are not uncommon.

Neither are accidents and incidents. The corner has staged several lap one pile-ups over the years as well as many awkward spins on the supersized curbs. In 2018 Tifosi hearts sank as Vettel collided with Hamilton here, hampering the Ferrari driver’s championship bid.

There’s little difference between grandstands 9 and 10, but the former has a closer and more direct view of the entry to the chicane. And from the upper rows, its views are unhindered by debris-fencing. Grandstand 9 just edges out its neighbour as the best grandstand at the second chicane.

Grandstand 10 (Rogia) is more attractively priced and has a view of the cars racing off towards the first Lesmo. The chain link fence covers views of the chicane but on the exit fans have a clear sight of the track. The giant screen is a little further away from the grandstand but it shouldn’t affect your decision much.

Named for the Italian double world champion who lost his life at this part of the track in 1955, Ascari is a fast, sweeping chicane towards the end of the lap. You’re much less likely to see overtaking moves here, but watching F1 cars thread through here at speed is sublime.

Opposite the entry to Ascari, the track here is perfectly parallel to the grandstand. But with trees blocking the approach, most of your view here will be of the rear of the cars as they negotiate the chicane.

The best grandstand for views of Ascari is Grandstand 13, at about the midpoint of the chicane. From here the elongated view of the cars appearing from the Monza woodland is a majestic sight. The grandstand is perfectly positioned for clear views of the approach entry, exit and the straight leading to the Parabilica. The result is the maximum amount of track visible from any one vantage point.

There’s little to choose between these two grandstands. Each has excellent views of Ascari. They are closer to the exit but not positioned so well to view the approach and the following straight. Grandstand 15 allows a better view of the entry, though it’s still too distant to be of any real value. Grandstand 16 is better positioned for the exit.

From grandstands 18 and 19 you’ll have a head-on view of the action through Ascari. Then, at a distance almost close enough to touch, watch as the cars exit onto the straight, kissing the curb as they do so.

In the event of a downpour, you’re quite literally covered. Frustratingly for many spectators though the structure that holds up the roof also serves as an obstacle between you and the track, so it’s up to you whether or not you think that’s a worthwhile trade-off.

Another famous corner with a tragic history. In 1961 the Parabolica was the scene of the fatal accident of Wolfgang Von Trips, whose Ferrari somersaulted into the crowd and killed 15 spectators. Nine years later, Jochen Rindt lost his life following an accident when his Lotus suffered a brake shaft failure in practice.

Thankfully F1 drivers and spectators are a lot safer these days and it’s a joy watching Formula 1 cars storming into Parabolica, braking from about 340 to 180kph while trying to maintain as much momentum for the long straight that follows.

The lower priced Grandstand 21 which is comprised of 5 sections (A, B, C, D and E) is generally better avoided (as is grandstand 23). There is one exception. 21A, nearest the apex and with a giant screen opposite has similar views to its higher-priced neighbour. If you don’t mind being exposed to the sun and rain this grandstand offers a good value view of the Parabolica.

Further away the corner is too distant to see anything and the view gets very old fast. If you want a reserved seat then go for it, but for most spectators a general admission ticket would be just as good.

Many of Monza’s intrinsic charms lay in elements of the experience unrelated to how good the views are. The atmosphere and the history can be enjoyed by just showing up, and with Monza general admission tickets being some of the most affordable in Europe it’s a clear winner for many.

Monza has a rambunctious crowd and it’s worth the general admission ticket price for the chance to be among the Tifosi. General admission has some worthwhile viewing options. Paths wind their way through the trees around the circuit and offer views from just about every angle.

There are some small viewing platforms erected for general admission but these spots disappear fast. More likely you’ll find yourself pressed against the perimeter fencing. The spectator experience is not the best for un-obscured fence-free photographs but it is at least close to the action.

Regulars of Monza’s general admission take the best spots very early on. It’s a bit of a free-for-all as fans look to get the best spot possible. That can mean climbing a tree, scaling the roof of a service building or just jostling like hell for position. Fans have even been known to put down sleeping bags, stay overnight in the park and even rope off entire sections!

My pick for the best general admission spot has to be the second chicane – the Variante Seconda. This is a common place for overtakes, braking hard after the Curva Grande – an action-packed piece of asphalt, particularly on lap one.

The position benefits from a giant screen and is also close to the two Lesmos. A strategy of hopping between the two areas is a great way to get a change of scenery.

Other hot spots include Variante Ascari – there won’t be much in the way of overtaking but it’s worthwhile to see the F1 car’s mesmerisingly fast change of direction.

Turn one is always likely to see a lot of action and is a prime location for the stampede to the podium once the gates spring open after the race.