This is my guide to the Start Ziel grandstand at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, Austria.
This guide includes my top tips for picking the best seats in this stand, videos which show the views from different seats, a full seating chart and info on how to get tickets for the grandstand even if they are sold out elsewhere.
Contents
Red Bull Ring Start-Ziel grandstand location
The Start Ziel grandstand is also known as the Main grandstand, the Start Finish grandstand or the Start Ziel Tribune.
It’s on the start / finish straight at the Red Bull Ring Circuit, on the left hand side of the track. It’s directly opposite the pit buildings, pit lane and pit garages. It’s also opposite the podium.
It’s also close to the main Fan Zone for the Formula 1, which is near the first corner. Plus the main carparks and entraces are only a short walk away, so it’s very well positioned.
Grandstand details
Cover
This is one of only two grandstands at the Red Bull Ring that is covered. The other one is the Nord grandstand.
This grandstand faces almost due North, so the roof means that you’ll be in the shade pretty much all day long, great for avoiding the heat of the hot Austrian summer! But the roof is quite high, so those in the front few rows mght still get a bit wet if it rains.
The higher your row the more protected from the weather you’ll be.
Seats
The chairs are individual plastic seats.
TV screens
There are three TV screens visible from this stand. They’re spread out on the other side of the track. One in the middle is on the top of the pit building opposite Sector K. The one on the left is opposite Sector Q (the extreme left end) and the one on the right is opposite Sector C.
So wherever you’re sat in the stand you’ll be able to see a screen, but if you want to be directly in line with one then go for one of those three sections of the stand.
Red Bull Ring Start Ziel Grandstand Tickets
Because it has a roof, and because it’s perfectly placed to see the pre-race grid, the start, the finish and the pitlane, this is a very popular grandstand at the Austrian GP which means tickets will often sell out fast.
But even if they are still available, you can’t choose your exact seats on the Red Bull Ring website. So I would recommend buying tickets through ViaGoGo instead, where there’ll be a good selection of tickets for sale even when they’re sold out elsewhere, plus usually the tickets listed there give the specific seats.
And you can often grab a bargain if you watch the ticket prices in the last few days and weeks before the race.
I’ve used ViaGoGo for my tickets to different Grand Prix races over the last three years. That includes when I went to Silverstone, Zandvoort, Spa and Vegas. I’ve always had a great experience using their service and I will definitely be happy to do the same again next time.
Additionally, for more peace of mind, they have a ‘Fan Protect’ guarantee which protects your tickets and your money.
Red Bull Ring Start Ziel Grandstand Seating Plan
Below is the seating plan for the Start Ziel grandstand at the Red Bull Ring:
As the seating chart shows the grandstand is made up of sectors that go from A nearest the final corner to Q nearest the first corner. There’s also a sector W on the right hand end, I believe that’s a VIP zone but I’m not 100% sure – if anyone know please leave a comment at the bottom of this page!
All the sectors have row 1 lowest down at the front, and the row numbers increase the higher up you go. Most sectors are between 10 and 13 seats high, apart from Sector K which is only 6 seats high.
At the top of Sector K, above the 6th row of chairs, is a VIP area with a balcony and suites that is only for those who’ve paid extra for a hospitality pass.
The seat numbers increase from 1 in each section, and they increase from right to left as you sit in the stand and look at the track. Most sectors are 40 seats wide apart from A and Q which are narrow, and K which is a lot wider.
The podium is opposite Sectors H and I (‘eye’). The start line is opposite K and the finish line is opposite E and F.
View
I’ve highlighted the areas of the circuit you can see from this grandstand on the map below in green:
As the map shows you’ll have a great view of the start finish straight. The further you are to the left in the stand the better your view of the first corner. The further to the right, the better your view of the final corner. All whilst you’ve got the stunning Styrian mountains as your backdrop.
You’ll also notice on the map above that the circuit around Turn 3 is visible. That’s only from a select few areas of this stand, as the videos below will show you.
Additionally, this stand gives you a view of the pit lane. The higher your row the better your view of that becomes, as being high allows you to see over the pit wall and in to the pit boxes / garages.
The pit garages start opposite Sector H and finish at Sector M. If you want to see the top teams they’ll be down the far end of the pitlane closer to M.
The videos below will show you the views from different sections of the stand to get a feel for what you can see.
This first video was filmed from Sector D row 5. It shows we’re closer to the final corner but also have great visibility of the far right TV screen:
The next video was filmed from Sector G Row 5:
The next clip was filmed from Sector J row 13, the back row:
10:38 in the next clip was filmed from Sector L row 13, the back row:
This video was filmed from Section N Row 4:
3:10 in the video below was filmed from Section O Row 13 (back row). 6:00 was filmed from Sector Q Row 10 (back row)
And finally this video was filmed from Section P row 13 (back row). The end of this video shows how you can see over the pit buildings up to Turn 3 in the distance:
Best seats
As the final video above shows, some seats in the Start Ziel stand give you the chance to see up to Turn 3. For this you need to be in Sectors O, P or Q and you need to be in the two or three highest rows (row 10 and up). If you can get those then you stand a chance of getting that bonus view, which I’d personally try and aim for.
If being in prime position for the podium ceremony is your main aim then you want Sectors H and I.
If you want to see as much of the pre-race grid action as possible so you can do some driver and celebrity spotting, you’ll want Sectors E to J.
Is this a good place to sit?
This Main grandstand is one of only two covered grandstands, so the protection from the sun in Austria’s summer is very welcome. It’s also the best spot to see the pitlane action, podium and pre-race build up on the grid, if you choose your sections wisely.
You are also in with a chance of seeing some action and overtaking at Turn 1, although it’s not a huge braking zone. For the best chance of seeing some overtakes you need the T3 grandstand.
