This is my review and guide for spectating in Grandstand 5A at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Mexico City.
Contents
Grandstand 5A Mexico GP location
Grandstand 5A, also known as Grada 5A, at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit is on the inside of the circuit near turns 1, 2 and 3 which is the first chicane. This grandstand is split in to two parts which are angle slightly towards each other around Turn 2.
This grandstand is very easy to get to. Use can use either entrance gte 9 or 12, both of which are only a 15 minute walk away from this grandstand. You have to cross over the track use the pedestrian bridge just after Turn 3.
Entrance gate 9 is best as the Puebla Metro station is right next to it, so it’s very convenient if you’re going to be using public transport to get to the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Zone
At the Mexican Formula 1 race the circuit is divided in to different zones for spectators. Grandstand 5A is in the Blue Zone (Zona Azul). Tickets to this grandstand only give you access to the Blue Zone. You cannot enter any of the other zones at the circuit with this ticket.
To help give you some more info on what the Blue Zone is like I’ve written a guide to the different zones at the Mexican GP. But to summarise that, the Blue Zone is definitely the best zone at the event and it’s the only one with the full Formula 1 Fan Zone, so it is a great place to be during the weekend.
Grandstand details
Cover
This grandstand does not have cover. You’ll be fully under the hot Mexican sun all day long, so bring sun protection. For some tips on what to wear check out my dress code guide to the Mexican GP.
Seats
The seats are plastic pads on benches.
TV screens
There’s one TV screen visible from this grandstand. It’s on the other side of the circuit, high up on a platform between grandstand 5 and grandstand 6. It feels quite far away from the stand, however, so binoculars or a good zoom on your camera phone are a good idea to be able to read the timing on the screen.
Mexico GP Grandstand 5A tickets
As it’s located in the very popular Blue Zone and has great views of the first chicane, tickets will sell out fast for this grandstand. But you will always be able to buy tickets through ViaGoGo right up until the day of the race itself.
Plus you’ll be able to get single-day tickets there which are less expensive and give you much more flexibility, and you may also be able to find them cheaper.
I’ve bought many of my Formula 1 tickets through Viagogo over the last few years and have always had a great experience with them. I managed to find my one-day tickets to the British and Canadian GP on there, and for less than official prices.
They also have a great FanProtect Guarantee which will keep your money safe. That’s always good for extra peace of mind when I buy through them. I’ll use ViaGoGo again next time I need F1 tickets without hesitation.
Mexico Grandstand 5A seating plan
Below is the seating chart for Grandstand 5A at the Mexican Grand Prix:
As the seating chart shows the grandstand is split up in to two blocks that are slightly angled towards each other. The larger block is made up sections numbered 101 – 106. The smaller block has sections 107 – 109.
Each section has row numbers which start at 1 at the front and increase as you go highers. Sections 101 – 106 have 23 rows, sections 107 – 109 have 17 rows.
Seat numbers begin 1 at in each section. If you stand on the track and look at the grandstand, the seat numbers would increase from left to right.
View
This image shows the parts of the track visible from this grandstand in green:
As that image shows, from Grandstand 5A at the Mexican GP your view is mainly of the first three corners – Turns 1, 2 and 3 – that make up the opening chicane called Curva Moises Solana.
Because this grandstand is on the inside of the track looking outwards, you aren’t able to see much of the cars approaching the first corner along the main straight. They’ll appear in your view right as they turn in to the first corner. You won’t be able to see them any earlier than that which is a bit of a shame as the overtaking moves often happen a bit earlier on in the braking zone.
You’ll have a fantastic view of them going through Turns 1, 2 and 3, and then will lose them out of sight shortly after they exit Turn 3.
To help show you what the view is like, the videos were taken from this grandstand.
This first video was taken from Section 101 in Row 23. That’s the further section to the right in the grandstand, and it’s in the back row. The benefit of being in this section would really come if you could get seat number 1, because then you could turn to your right to follow the cars along the straight after Turn 3. Being high up like this gives you a great vantage point.
The next video was taken from Section 102 Row 2. So the next section to the left, but this time in the second row from the front. It gives you an idea of the view when you’re seated lower down, and in my opinion I don’t think it’s quite so good.
@edsonvazquez99 Accidente #ChecoPerez en GP Mexico 2023 desde grada 5A #f1#redbull #maxverstappen ♬ sonido original - Edson Luis
This video was taken from Section 105 Row 17. Again it’s further to the left and higher up. You can see from this video that whilst the TV screen is visible, it’s quite a long way away.
@regia.f1 Se sabe que la largada del México GP suele ser muy alocada y este año no fue la excepción, Max y otros yéndose largó, los Ferrari cerca de chocarse entre ellos y Franco… bueno, pues terminó la carrera y no todos pueden decir eso 😅 #formula1 #f1 #f1fans #mexicogp #mexico ♬ Epic Inspiration - DM Production
Best seats
I think the most important thing when picking seats in this Grandstand 5A is to go for high rows. Aim for rows 20 and up – the higher the better – because you get a nice wide vantage point making it easier to see all three corners.
In terms of which section to go for, personally I’d choose to be as far to the right as possible. Because of the angle of the grandstand, being further to the right means you can see the cars as they approach Turn 1 a little earlier. Ok they’ll be a bit further away, but your angle for that is better.
Is this a good place to sit?
This grandstand does give you great views of the first three corners, no question. But if you wanted to be able to see the cars as they came along the end of the main straight and reached the braking zone before Turn 1, plus the whole of the first chicane, then there are better options.
Check out my guides to stands 5 and 6 below – they give you views that mean you’ll be able to see the cars make their overtaking moves as they approach Turn 1, as well as the first three corners. I would choose one of those two options over this, but Grandstand 5A is still a great choice.
