Image credit reprepf1
This is my guide to the T8 grandstand at the Red Bull Ring.
In this guide I’ll provide my top tips for picking the best seats in this grandstand. I’ll share some videos and photos that show views from different sections and rows. I’ll also provide a full seating plan and info on how to get tickets even if they’re sold out elsewhere.
Contents
Red Bull Ring T8 grandstand location
The T8 grandstand, also known as the Turn 8 grandstand or tribune, is on the left side of the Red Bull Ring circuit just after the exit of Turn 8.
Being in this part of the track, a ticket to this grandstand gives you access to this ‘yellow’ area which is only for grandstand ticket holders. That means general admission ticket holders can’t enter it, so it’s a little less busy and queues / wait times for food, drink and toilets are a little less. It also means you can access the massive steel bull and get your photo next to it!
The nearest entrance gate to this one is Gate E which is on the North East side of the map up, but the main carparks are on the south side. Plus you’ll have to spend a bit of time walking up hill to get to this stand, so bear that in mind.
The grandstand is set back a little way from the edge of the circuit because of the large gravel trap on the outside of Turn 8, which is between the stand and the track. So you never feel like you’re particularly close to the cars.
Grandstand details
Cover
This grandstand is not covered. It’s completely open to the weather, come rain or shine. The Austrian Grand Prix takes place in the summer and it’s usually very hot, so make sure you dress correctly and come protected!
Seats
The chairs are individual plastic seats.
TV screens
There’s on TV screen visible from all sections of this stand, directly opposite on the other side of the circuit.
Red Bull Ring T8 Grandstand Tickets
This is a popular grandstand which mean tickets often sell out fast. If that’s the case I’d recommend buying through ViaGoGo instead, where you’ll be able to find a great selection of tickets for sale even when they’re sold out in other places. Plus you might be able to find them cheaper than list price, especially in the last few weeks / days leading up to the F1.
I’ve used ViaGoGo for all of my Grand Prix tickets over recent seasons, including my visits to the Dutch, Las Vegas and British GP. I’ve always had a great experience with them and will definitely use them again next time.
And they also have a guarantee called ‘Fan Protect’ which protects your money and tickets, which is good for extra peace of mind!
Red Bull Ring T8 Grandstand Seating Plan
Below is the seating plan for the T8 grandstand at the Red Bull Ring:
As the seating chart shows the T8 grandstand is made up of 4 sections named A to D. Section as is closest to T8 and Section D is furthest from it. Sections C and D are also a little further away from the track.
The rows start at 1 lowest down at the front and increase as you go up in the stand.
Seat numbers start at 1 in every section and increase as you go to the right, if you were to stand on the track and look up at the grandstand.
View
On the circuit map below I’ve highlighted the parts of the Red Bull Ring in green that are visible from the T8 grandstand:
As it shows your view from this stand is fairly limited. As you sit in your seat and look to your right you’ll be able to see the cars as they exit the left hander of Turn 7 and come around the right hander of Turn 8. They’ll then pass you from right to left flat out, before dissapearing in to some trees on your left. The trees block your view of seeing the cars enter Turn 9.
This video shows the view from Section B row 6 seat 2. This the second section from the right as you sit in the stand, and when you watch the video you’ll see how the trees to your left block your view of Turn 9. It also shows that even from row 6, quite a low row, you are looking over the catch fencing. And infact all the rows in this stand look over the fence, thanks to it being high up off the ground.
This panoramic image was taken from Section B Row 9 seat 1, a few rows higher up than the video above. But as the grandstand is raised off the ground anyway, sitting higher up isn’t particularly beneficial. It just means you’re further from the track.
Best seats
I would aim to get seats in Section A rows 4 to 10. Sitting in section A means that you have the best vantage point for seeing the cars for longer to your left before they disappear in to the trees, and you don’t lose anything from your view to the right.
Those lower to mid rows also mean you’re not quite as far away from the circuit.
Is this a good place to sit?
This wouldn’t be my first choice of grandstand for the Austrian Grand Prix. Compared to stands like the T3 grandstand, the views here are very limited. Plus it’s quite a walk to get to it.
Additionally, Turn 8 isn’t much of an overtaking spot so you’re unlikely to see any action other than the cars cornering hard and accelerating fast towards Turn 9.
But that being said, if you do have tickets here you’ll have a great time, and you can keep up with the action on the rest of the circuit on the TV screen.
