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Choosing a grandstand at the Austrian Grand Prix
Sunday December 6 2026
What to expect in this guide
• Where do you get the best view at the Red Bull Ring?
• Where are the main grandstands?
• Are the grandstands covered?
• What about General Admission?
• Best booking resources for F1 trips
• Money-saving tip
• Frequently asked questions
Estimated Reading Time: 4-5 minutes
The Red Bull Ring is one of the shortest circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. The track sits in a natural amphitheatre, with elevation changes that open up wider views than at most circuits. Most of the lap is visible from several grandstands.
Most overtaking happens between Turns 1, 3, and 4.
I’ve sat in several of the grandstands here. There’s no bad seat at the Red Bull Ring. Decide which part of the lap you most want to watch and go from there.
One thing to know before you choose: the Main Grandstand is the only covered grandstand at the circuit. Every other grandstand is open to the elements. If you’re planning around the weather, that’s worth factoring in.
Main Grandstand
The Main Grandstand runs along the start-finish straight, opposite the pit lane. From here you see the grid build-up, the start, the cars accelerating to Turn 1, the pit lane in action through the race, and the chequered flag. It’s the only covered grandstand at the circuit.
Steiermark Grandstand (Turn 1)
The Steiermark Grandstand, also known as the Lauda Grandstand in memory of Niki Lauda, sits at Turn 1, the first corner of the lap. From here you see the run down from the start-finish straight, the braking zone into the corner, the pit lane exit, and the climb up to Turn 2. It’s a strong location for the start of the race.
Red Bull Grandstands
The Red Bull Grandstands sit between Turn 1 and Turn 3, on the outside of the long uphill straight that climbs through the middle sector. From here you can follow the cars across a long section of the lap.
Turn 3 Grandstand
Turn 3 is one of the main overtaking zones at the circuit. The grandstand sits at the top of the hill, at the heaviest braking zone on the track. You see the cars at the end of the climb from Turn 1, the braking into Turn 3, and the run down to Turn 4.
Turn 4 Grandstand
Turn 4 is another overtaking zone, just after Turn 3. The grandstand here puts you close to the action where drivers complete passes started at Turn 3, or set up a move into the corner.
Turn 9 / 10 Grandstand
The grandstand at the final corners sits across from the cars as they come through the last quick right-left and back onto the start-finish straight. It’s a good spot for late-race battles and the run to the chequered flag.
Best booking resources for F1 trips
Planning the trip is the fun part for some and a chore for others.
If you would rather not handle all the details yourself, we can do that for you.
Take a look at our Grand Prix ticket & travel packages »
Prefer to do it all yourself? You’re welcome to take everything you’ve learned here and book your own trip. These are good places to start. They’re reliable, easy to use, and usually the best value.
Tickets
Grand Prix Tickets is the agency I’ve trusted for years. They’ve always been reliable, easy to deal with, and quick to help if something comes up.
Hotels
ZenHotels is one of my go-to sites for hotel bookings. It pulls prices from many smaller sites you might not know about, which makes it good for finding deals. I also check Expedia and Booking.com when I want more options.
Excursions
Viator is full of walking tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. It’s especially handy if you’re heading to a new Grand Prix city. It’s a good place to find extras to add to your trip.
Money-saving tip
Consider General Admission
The Red Bull Ring has good General Admission viewing thanks to the elevation around the circuit. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s worth considering.
FAQ's
There is no bad grandstand at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Ring is short and hilly, so many grandstands offer views of large sections of the lap.
The best overtaking views are between Turns 1, 3 and 4, where the circuit has its longest straights and heaviest braking zones.
Only the Main Grandstand is covered. All other Red Bull Ring grandstands are uncovered, so sun protection and wet-weather gear are recommended.
Yes. General Admission is worth considering because the Red Bull Ring’s natural elevation gives many standing areas good views of the circuit.
The Austrian Grand Prix is usually held in late June or early July. Weather in Styria can be warm and sunny or cool and wet, so pack for both.
Introducing the Austrian Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the Red Bull Ring, the circuit's location in the Styria region, and how a race weekend works.
Getting to the Austrian Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about how to get to Austria for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Where to stay for the Austrian Grand Prix
In this guide we'll help you choose the best place to stay during your trip to the Austrian Grand Prix.
Getting Around at the Austrian Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the different options for getting around during the Austrian Grand Prix.
