This is my spectacting guide and review for Grandstand 4 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit for the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix.
Contents
Grandstand 4 Mexico GP location
Grandstand 4, also known as Grada 4 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit is on the outside (left-hand side) of the track at the first corner, Turn 1. It’s overlooking the whole turn 1 – 2 – 3 chicane, known as Curva Moises Solana. This grandstand actually extends past the track in to the large runoff area the other side of Turn 1.
Directly to the right of this stand is grandstand 3, and to its left but at 90° is Grandstand 5.
The nearest entrance gate to this grandstand is entrance gate 9 which is under a 5 minute walk away. And next to gate 9 is the Puebla Metro station, which is literally right outside the gate, so is very convenient if you’re planning on using public transport to travel to the track.
Zone
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, during the Mexican GP weekend, is divided in to a number of different spectator zones. This grandstand is in the Blue Zone (Zona Azul). If you have a ticket for this grandstand that means you can only access the Bue Zone. You can’t access any other zones around the circuit.
Check out my guide to the Mexican GP zones for more info on what the blue zone is like. But in short, it’s the best zone, so it’s a great option.
Grandstand details
Cover
This grandstand is uncovered. You’ll be in the hot Mexican sun all day long so come prepared. Wear a hat, sunscreen and keep hydrated. Wear clothes that you’ll be comfortable in; check out my Mexican GP dress code for more tips.
Seats
The seats are bench style bleacher seats with a little plastic pad to sit on. The benches are mostly metal so will be hot, bear that in mind.
TV screens
There are two big TV screen visible from here, both on the other side of the track. One is on the apex of Turn 1, the other is a little further along on the outside of Turn 2.
Mexico GP Grandstand 4 tickets
The Blue Zone where this grandstand is located is really popular, as is this grandstand, so tickets will sell out fast. But don’t worry as you can still buy tickets through ViaGoGo right up until race day on the Sunday.
Plus you can often find cheapers there cheaper than official price, and they have lots of single-day options which as well.
I’ve bought F1 tickets through Viagogo numerous times over the last few seasons, including my most recent trips to the British and Canadian Grand Prix. And each time I bought through them I managed to buy tickets cheaper than the list price as well.
They also have a really good FanProtect Guarantee which will keep your money and your tickets protected, which is always a positive for extra peace of mind. I will happily use them again next time I buy tickets.
Mexico Grandstand 4 seating plan
The image below shows the seating chart for Grandstand 4 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez during the Mexican GP weekend:
As the seating plan above shows this granstand is made up of a number of different sections, numbered 101 – 109. Because this grandstand extends past the end of the circuit at Turn 1, section 101 is actually closest to the T1 apex and section 109 is further away from it, deep in the runoff area.
Each section has rows which start at Row 1 lowest down at the front and increase as you go higher up at the back. The top row in this grandstand is Row 27.
Seat numbering begins at 1 in each section and increases as you move from left to right (if you stoof on the circuit and look up at the seats).
View
On the map of the circuit below the areas of the track you can see from this grandstand are highlighted in green:
As the map shows, from Grandstand 4 you get a great view of the cars driving down the end of the long start / finish straight, braking for Turn 1, going through the first three corners and then exiting along the straight towards Turn 4.
You can’t see back down to the start line as the adjacent grandstands plus the gantry over the main straight block your view that far along. But you can see the braking zone, where most overtaking happens, and the full chicane.
To give you an idea of the views from this stand the videos below were taken from different seat positions.
This video was filmed from Section 102 row 20. You can see that from here, as you look back along the main straight towards the start line the Pirelli gantry above the track blocks your view of the start:
This video was filmed from Section 103 row 9, one section further to the left as you sit in the stand but slightly lower down. Being lower down does have one benefit, which is that you can see underneath the gantry in the distance along the main straight and towards the start line – but it’s difficult and a long way in the distance.
Best seats
You’ll struggle to see the start line because it’s so far away, even if you sit in the lower seats of the grandstand. Personally I’d prioritise a good view of turns 1, 2 and 3 and for that I’d want a high seat ideally in sections 101 – 105. I would aim for Row 20 and up, if possible, in those sections.
One other thing to consider is the further to the left you sit (higher section numbers) the longer you’ll be able to see the cars for once they exit Turn 3. But that’s just a straight, so not that important. Stick with my suggestion above.
Is this a good place to sit?
This is a fantastic place to sit. It’s where pretty much all of the overtaking an action happens especially at the start of the race. Plus you’re in the Blue Zone which is the best place to be, so it’s a great choice.
