This is my guide to the Steiermark grandstand at the Red Bull Ring GP circuit in Spielberg, Austria.
In this guide I’ve included my tips for picking the best seats in this grandstand, some videos which show the views from different seats, a full seating plan and information on how to get tickets for the grandstand even if they’re sold out elsewhere online.
Contents
Red Bull Ring Steiermark grandstand location
Steiermark means Styria, which is Austria’s second largest state and is known for being beautiful, green and mountainous. Those mountains form a stunning backdrop for the Red Bull Ring circuit.
The Steiermark grandstand is on the left hand side of the circuit at the end of the start finish straight. It’s directly in line with the first corner, and part of the stand actually extends past the Turn 1 apex towarsd the run-off area.
To the right of this stand is the larger, shaded Start Ziel grandstand. And to its left is the Red Bull grandstand.
The grandstand is also right next to the main Fan Zone during the Formula 1 weekend. It’s also close to the main car parks, and can be easily accessed through entrance gates A or B.
Grandstand details
Cover
This grandstand is uncovered so you’re exposed to the sun or the rain. For the F1 which is held in the summer it’s usually very hot, so make sure you bring suitable protection.
Seats
The chairs are individual plastic seats.
TV screens
There’s one TV screen visible from this stand. It’s on the inside of Turn 1 and due to its exacty position and orientation is a little easier to see if you’re in sections C, D or E of this stand.
Red Bull Ring Steiermark Gandstand Tickets
Due to its prime location at the first corner this is a popular stand which unfortunately mean tickets usually sell out fast on the official site.
Even if they are still available, you can’t choose your specific seats on the Red Bull Ring website. So I would recommend buying tickets through ViaGoGo instead, where there will be a good selection of tickets available even if they’re sold out elsewhere, plus the tickets listed there usually tell you the exact seats.
And if you watch the ticket prices in the weeks or days leading up to the race weekend you can often grab a bargain.
I’ve used ViaGoGo for my tickets to various Grand Prix over the last three years. That includes my trips to see the F1 at Silverstone, Zandvoort, Spa and Las Vegas. I’ve always had a great experience using their platform and I will definitely be doing the same again next time.
Additionally, for e xtra peace of mind, they have their ‘Fan Protect’ guarantee which protects your tickets and money.
Red Bull Ring Steiermark Grandstand Seating Plan
Below is the seating plan for the Steiermark grandstand at the Red Bull Ring:
As the seating chart above shows the grandstand is made up of five sectors named A to E. Sector A is closest to the start finish line and Sector E is furthest past Turn 1.
The first 10 or so seats in Sector A are actually angle more to the right, so facing back down the main straight more. The rest of the seats in all sectors are looking at the track ahead of them.
Each section has seat numbers that begin from 1 on the right hand side of the sector and then increase as you move to the left (as you sit in the stand and look at the track)
Row numbers begin at 1 lowest down near the front and increase the higher up you go. Row 14 is the back row for most parts of the stand.
View
The green areas of the image below show the parts of the circuit that you can see if you’re sat in Steiermark:
As it shows, from this stand you’ll be able to see most of the way back up the start finish straight. You’ll then have a fantastic view of Turn 1 where there’s most likely to be some incidents on the first lap.
Depending exactly where you’re sat you’ll then be able to view the cars most of the way up the hill towards Turn 3. Plus you can just catch a snippet of them on the infield near turn 6 and 7.
Something else to bear in mind is that the track slopes upwards towards the apex of turn 1. So the further to the right you sit in this grandstand, the lower you’ll be and the less of the rest of the circuit you can see. This applies to sectors A and B, and in those seats higher rows are definitely recommended.
The video below give examples of the views from different seats.
This first video was taken from Sector B row 5. This is quite a low seat, and whilst it shows you get a great view of the start line and Turn 1, once the cars have exited the first corner you lose them out of sight.
This next video was filmed from Sector B row 11 and seat numbers that were slightly higher than in the previous video. Being higher up and slightly further to the left, here you get a great view of the cars (or bikes) exiting Turn 1 and heading up the hill:
The next clip was filmed from Sector C row 12. This is pretty much in the middle of the grandstand in quite a high row. Whilst you’re in prime position to watch the crash at the first corner, it shows you also get a perfect view to watch the cars head up the hill towards Turn 3. And in fact, even though it’s quite a way in the distance, you can even seen the apex of the third corner where there’s often lots of overtaking. But for the best view of that part of the track you need the Turn 3 grandstand instead.
This next clip was filmed from Sector D row 10. This is quite a low seat number in sector D, and whilst it’s further to the left in the stand passed the apex of Turn 1, we can still see up the hill.
Finally this 360 degree image shows the view from Sector E Row 11 seat 21. This is quite a long way to the left and well in to the run-off area, meaning we can’t see the cars as they head up to T2 or T3.
Best seats
Pretty much all sats will give you a good view of the start line, so the priority should be trying to get view of the hill up towards Turn 3 as well. For that, I’d recommend picking seats in Sector C or the lowest 5 seats in Sector D. I’d gor for row 5 and above to try and look over the catch fencing.
Is this a good place to sit?
Turn 1 often sees some action and overtaking, especially on the first lap of the race. So from that perspective it’s a great place to sit.
Plus you’re close to the Fan Zone during the Formula 1 weekend, the Steiermark Village and the main entrance and car parks.
