Image credit Gerwin
This is my guide to the Apex 1 grandstand at the Hungaroring. This stand used to be called Silver 3 but has been renamed in recent years.
This guide features my tips for picking the best seats in this grandstand. It also includes a seating plan showing the sector, row and seat numbering. Also included are videos of the view from a variety of different positions to give you an idea of what the views look like from this stand. There’s also my tips on the best place to get tickets.
Contents
Hungaroring Apex 1 grandstand location
The Apex 1 grandstand is on the outside (left-hand side) of Turn 14, the final corner on the Hungarian Grand Prix circuit. It’s adjacent to the Grand Prix 1 grandstand (to its left) and the Apex 2 grandstand to its right.
Apex 1 is actually split in to two parts, as the image below shows. The seating chart further down this page shows how the sector naming for this stand works across the two seperate parts.
Entrance gate 6 is the closest to this stand.
Grandstand details
Cover
This stand has no roof, it’s completely open to the elements. Check out my tips on what to wear to the Hungarian GP.
Seats
The seats are individual plastic chairs.
TV screens
There’s one TV screen on the inside of Turn 14, directly opposite this stand on the other side of the track, that’s easily visible.
Hungaroring Apex 1 grandstand tickets
This is a popular grandstand at the Hungarian Formula 1 so it often sells out fast for the Grand Prix. If that’s the case but you still want some tickets for this stand, I’d recommend buying tickets through ViaGoGo instead.
They always have a great selection of tickets available, even if they’re sold out in elsewhere. And if you are patient you can usually find them at cheaper prices in the few days and leading up to the race. That’s what I’ve done before and managed to grab a bargain.
I’ve bought all my Formula 1 tickets on ViaGoGo over the last few years, including for my visits to the British, Dutch and Belgian Grand Prix. I’ve always had a great experience using them and would happily do so again.
They also have a very robust ‘FanProtect’ guarantee which gave me great peace of mind that my tickets and money were always safe and protected.
Hungaroring Apex 1 grandstand seating plan
Below is the seating plan for the Apex 1 grandstand at the Hungaroring:
The seating plan shows the grandstand split in to two parts. The first part has sectors named A to D and is further around Turn 14. The second part has sectors which go from E to K (no sector I) and is a little earlier around the corner.
Both sector have row numbering which begins at 1 lowest down at the front, and increases the further up the stand you go.
The first part, sectors A – D, has 25 rows. The second part, sectors E to K, has 33 rows.
Each section is accessed via a walkway inbetween a pair of sections. Seat numbers increase from 1 when you start heading in to your sector away from the walkway.
View
The image below shows the areas of the circuit visible from the Apex 1 grandstand highlighted in green:
As the image shows, from this stand you have a great view of the final corner and, if you sit in the right section of the stand, a view looking most of the way down the start / finish straight.
Those seated in sectors A to E will have the best view along the start / finish straight. Sectors F and above are earlier around Turn 14 and won’t be able to see quite so much of the main straight. Nor will they have such a good view of the straight before Turn 12.
You can also see some of the straight that leads up to Turn 12. Plus, you’re directly opposite the pit lane entry, so have a fantastic view of that.
The videos below show the views from this stand. Some are slightly older and were taken when the stand was called Silver 3, but it’s the exact same position and sector layout now as it was then.
This first video was filmed from Sector E row 24, and it shows that here you have a great view of Turn 14 and we can also just about see along the main straight towards Turn 1. The only thing blocking that view is the Pirelli advertising board over the track. Any further to the right in this stand and we’d have a more compromised view of that main straight:
This next video was filmed from between Sectors A and B, stood in the entrance to the stand (that’s why there’s the fence in view). This is pretty much as far to the left as you can get in the stand, and even though it’s an older video is shows your vantage point does change. From here, you have a great view of the straight before Turn 12 as you’re directly in line with it:
Then in contrast, this next video was filmed from Sector K, the furthest sector to the right. From here the view of the main straight has gone:
Then in contrast, this next video was filmed from Sector K, the furthest sector to the right. From here the view of the main straight has gone:
And this final video, also filmed from Sector K, shows how little of the straight before Turn 12 you can see from here:
Best seats
Personally, if I was sat in Apex 1 I would want a view down the mainstraight. So I’d go for seats in Sectors A to E. I’d probably try and prioritise sectors C, D and E for a nice balance of looking down the main straight and being able to see as much of the run in to Turn 12 as possible.
For row selection, I’d go for the highest rows possible to get a nice high vantage point and try and look over the advertising board that runs across the beginning of the main straight.
Is this a good place to sit?
There’s very little, if any overtaking that happens at Turn 14. But if you get one of the seats I recommended above, then you’re going to have a better view of the braking zone for Turn 12 which is more likely to see some overtaking.
This grandstand is a better choice than the adjancent Apex 2, as that one doesn’t have a view of the main straight at all. Plus, you’re close to the podium, so it’s only a short walk to see the post-race celebrations.
Check out my guide to the Hungary F1 parking for some tips on where to park nearby. Also my Hungaroring travel guide for info on different ways of getting to the track.
Other grandstand guides
- General Admission viewing
- T1 grandstand
- Pit exit 1 grandstand
- Pit exit 2 grandstand
- Hungaroring grandstand
- Hungaroring platinum grandstand
- Grid 1 grandstand
- Grid 2 grandstand
- Grid 3 grandstand
- Podium grandstand
- Club grandstand
- Grand Prix 1 grandstand
- Grand Prix 2 grandstand
- Apex 2 grandstand
- Fan grandstand
- Chicane 1 grandstand
- Chicane 2 grandstand
- Chicane 3 grandstand
Thanks for the brilliant info, Alex!
I bought 3 APEX 1 Seats on Viagogo (although you don’t know where you sit until you finally get them shortly before the race) for 265€ each. Good price.
Let’s go, Lando! 😉
Regards, Kord
Thanks Kord! Glad you got some tickets.