Image: Ronan Whelan
This is my guide for spectators attending the Australian Grand Prix who are thinking about (or already have) tickets in the Button Grandstand.
This guide includes my tips on getting the best seats in the stand, a seating chart and examples of different views you can expect from different seats.
Grandstand location
The grandstand, named after Jenson Button, is located on the left-hand side (outside) of the Albert Park circuit on the very fast Turn 8.
It used to be called The Balconies but was renamed in 2023.
Turn 8 is a flat out right-hand bend where the Formula 1 cars will be accelerating up towards their max speed after they’ve exited Turn 7.
Features
- Cover: Uncovered
- TV screen: One big TV screen directly opposite the stand on the other side of the track
- Seats: Folding plastic chairs
Tickets at the Australian Grand Prix
This is one of the cheapest stands at the Aus GP which means tickets can often sell out fast on the official site. If that’s the case don’t worry; you can buy tickets through Stubhub instead.
I’ve bought Formula 1 tickets through StubHub a number of times over the last few years and have always had a great experience. Plus they have their FanProtect guarantee which will keep your money & tickets safe.
- Only standard uncovered tickets are available in this stand
- Tickets come in single day, 2-day (Sat & Sun), 3-day (Fri, Sat & Sun), or 4-day (Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) options
- These tickets give access to all the Park Pass General Admission areas
- These tickets give access to the fan zones and concerts on the day of your ticket
Button grandstand seating plan
Below is the Button grandstand seating plan
- Sections: 4 sections named A to D. D is furthest around the circuit.
- Rows: Rows run from A (front) to Q (back). No row I or O.
- Numbered seating: Seat numbers begin at 1 at the start of each section. Sections are between 26 and 34 seats wide, see the seating plan below for details.
Views
This map shows the parts of the circuit viewable from this grandstand, highlighted in pink.
As the image highlights you don’t get to see a huge amount of the circuit from this stand. And for what you can see, the cars will be coming past flat-out at high speed.
This is a narrow part of the track lined with high safety fences. You can’t see Turn 7 from anywhere in the stand but you can first catch a glimpse of the cars as they come around the little wiggle directly after it, to the right of the stand.
You then lose the cars out of sight to the left as they go around the fast right hander. You’ll watch the rest of the Australian GP on the screen opposite, which is big and easy to see.
The video below was filmed from section C, row F, seat 2.
6:17 in this next video was filmed from section B row K.
Sitting lower down in the stand means you’ll be looking along the fence line as the cars pass from right to left, which makes it much harder to see.
Going for a higher seats give you a wider view and means the fence is easier to see over / through from further back.
Best seats
The best seats in the Button grandstand are those in sections C and D rows L and above.
As mentioned above, sitting in the higher rows is key here to get a wider view and not be obstructed so much buy the fence. I’d aim for rows L and above.
And going for sections C and D gives you a better angle to see the cars approaching a little earlier, plus you’ll be able to see them for a little longer once they’ve passed the stand.
A good place to sit?
Along with the Clark, Waite and Webber grandstands, ticket prices for the Button stand are the cheapest you can get for a grandstand the Australian Grand Prix.
And it’s true – you get what you pay for. You’re unlikely to see any overtaking here, instead you’ll just witness the Formula 1 cars and support races fly past in a flash.
If you are on a tight budget for the Grand Prix but want to see some more action then I’d suggest trying to get a ticket to the Waite grandstand at Turn 9 instead. That’s a proper corner where drivers pull off some daring overtakes and mistakes happen fairly frequently.
Other grandstands at the Australia GP
Nearest entrance
Entrance gate 5 at Albert Park is the closest to the this grandstand. It’s only short walk away so is definitely the best one to aim for when planning your travel to the event.
