This is my guide to the North grandstand at the Red Bull Ring.
In this guide I’ll give you my tips for picking the best seats in the grandstand, plus I’ll share some videos that show the views from different sections and rows in the stand. I’ve also got a full seating plan, plus I’ll provide info on how to get tickets, even if they’re sold out elsewhere.
Contents
Red Bull Ring North grandstand location
The North grandstand at the Red Bull Ring is also called the Nord grandstand. On top of that, it’s also the Max Verstappen Premium grandstand, so if you get a ticket for this stand then you’ll be surrounded by Max’s Orange Army.
The grandstand is on the outside of Turn 4. It looks backup the track, directly along the straight from Turn 3, and the cars are coming straight towards this stand before the enter Turn 4.
Because Turn 4 is tight and there’s a long straight before it, this is a big braking zone. That means there’s a huge gravel trap between this grandstand and the track, which can make it feel like the stand is quite far away from the action (and the screen as you’ll see lower down).
This grandstand is close to Gate E, but because it’s on top of a hill, whichver direction you come at it from you’re going to have a steep incline to walk up. It’s also a long way from the main Fan Zone which is down near Turn 1.
Grandstand details
Cover
This is one of only two covered grandstands at the Red Bull Ring. It has a roof that covers all sections. However there’s two things to note.
First, even when the sun is mostly behind the stand, the front 3 or 4 rows may still be unshaded, like the image below shows:
Secondly, this grandstand faces West. So most of the day the sun will be behind you. It’s shaded from around 8am to about 3:30pm at the time of year when the Austrian F1 Grand Prix is held.
Because the stand is curved around the corner, those sat in section A will get the sun on them first in the afternoon. Then B, then C.
Seats
The seats are individual plastic chairs.
TV screens
There’s a single TV visible from this stand. It’s on the inside of Turn 4, but it can feel like quite far from the stand. Reading the words / times on the screen can be difficult without binoculars or a good zoom on your camera.
Red Bull Ring North Grandstand Tickets
Being one of only two shaded grandstands, and one with a great view, this is an incredibly popular place to sit. Plus it’s the Max Verstappen Premium stand, so it’s a favourite spot for the Orange Army. All that means tickets can sell out quickly on the official website.
So I’d recommend buying tickets through ViaGoGo instead where they have a great selection available even if they are sold out elsewhere. Plus the tickets listed there can often specify exact row and seat numbers.
I’ve bought all my Formula 1 tickets over the last few seasons on ViaGoGo and will definitely be doing so again next time. I used them for tickets for my visits to the British, Belgian and Dutch Grand Prix and have always had a great experience with them.
Plus, there’s a Fan Protect guarantee which means your money and your tickets are always protected. Great for extra peace of mind.
Red Bull Ring North Grandstand Seating Plan
Below is the seating plan for the North / Nord grandstand at the Red Bull Ring:
As the seating chart shows this grandstand is made up of three sections named A, B and C. The sections curve around the hairpin at Turn 4 slightly.
All three sections have rows which start at 1 lowest down and increase the higher up / further back you go. The grandstand is 13 rows high.
Seat numbers begin at 1 in each section and increase from left to right if you’re stoof on the circuit looking up at the stand.
View
On the image below I’ve highlighted in green the parts of the track that are visible from the Nord grandstand:
As the map above shows, from this grandstand you’ve got a great view of Turn 4 and the braking zone as the cars come in to it. You’ll then lose them out of sight once they’ve gone around Turn 5.
You can catch a quick glimpse of them near Turn 7, and then again on the far side of the circuit after they’ve exited Turn 1. All whilst looking over the lovely backdrop of the Styrian Mountains.
Below I’m going to show some videos which give examples of the views from different sections in the stand.
This first video was filmed from Sector C Row 1. That’s the front row of the furthest sector to the left, as you’re sat in the stand.
There are two benefits of being in sector C. One is that the sun will take longer to move round and shine on you in the late afternoon. The other is that you have a slightly better view of Turn 5 and will be able to see the cars there for longer, without sacrificing a view anywhere else.
And as I said this video is from Row 1, the furthest forward row. So we’re as close to the TV screen as we can get.
This next video was filmed from Sector B Row 12 Seat 29, so the middle of the three sections and nearly in the top row.
Section B gives a balanced view of the track either side of Turn 4, but being higher up is a big advantage as it gives you a higher vantage point to see more of the circuit on the run down to T4 and on the infield section.
This video was filmed from Section A row 10. And straight away you can see Section A isn’t quite as good, as being further to the right your view of the run to T4 and everything after it is compromised.
Finally you can check out this 360 degree image take from Section B to get a feel for the stand. And check out the lively Verstappen fans!
Best seats
I’d avoid section A. Instead I’d try and get seats in the highest rows possible in either Section B or Section C. The higher rows mean you’ll be in the shade for longer, and they also give you a broader view over more of the Red Bull Ring circuit.
Is this a good place to sit?
Turn 4 is at the end of one of the DRS (or now the Overtaking Zones), so sitting in the North grandstand gives you a great view of the second best spot on the circuit for some overtakes to happen. Second best after Turn 3.
The view from this stand is great, not as broad as you’d get from the T3 grandstand, but still nice.
But the main benefit is the roof. The Austrian Grand Prix is held in the summer and it’s usually roasting hot. The roof provides some much needed shade from the sun.
