Image: Simon Zbierski
This is my guide for spectating in the Prost Grandstand at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Getting the best seats in this grandstand makes a huge difference to your view, so I’ve included my tips on which ones to go for.
Plus there’s seating plan showing the section, row and seat numbering, examples of the view from different seats and info on where to get tickets.
Grandstand location
The grandstand, named after the four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost, is located on the outside (left side) of Turn 14, the final corner on the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit.
The stand actually curves all the way around the outside of the track.
To its left is the Senna stand and to its right is the Schumacher stand. It’s opposite the pit lane entry and the start of the pit garages (but not the F1 ones)
Features
- Cover: Standard seating area – uncovered. Premium seating area – covered.
- TV screen: Two big screens on the inside of the corner, angled so you can see at least one of them at all times
- Seats: Hard plastic chairs with a folding base and fixed seat back.
Tickets - Australian Grand Prix
This is one of the most popular stands 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 F1 tickets through StubHub numerous times over the last few seasons and have always had a great experience. Plus, they have a robust FanProtect guarantee which will keep your money and tickets safe.
- Standard (uncovered) and premium (covered) tickets are available in this stand
- Tickets come in single day / 2-day (Sat, Sun) / 3 day (Fri, Sat & Sun) / 4-day (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun) options
- Tickets also give access to Park Pass General Admission areas
- Tickets also give access to all fan zones and concerts on the day(s) of your ticket
Prost grandstand seating plan
- Sections: 12 sections named A to M (no section I). A is closest to Turn 13 and M is closest to the start line.
- Rows: Rows A to R (standard) and rows AA to CC (premium). A and AA are at the front of the standard / premium areas respectively. No row I or O.
- Numbered seating: Narrow sections are 19 seats wide. Wider sections are 30 seats wide. Numbers start from 1 in each section.
See below for the full Prost grandstand seating plan.
Grandstand views
The image below shows the parts of the Albert Park circuit visible from this stand highlighted in pink.
Depending on which section you sit in your viewing position will change fairly dramatically.
For example, if you sit in sections A to D you’ll be able to see Turn 13, Turn 14 and will be looking straight down the pit straight.
Whereas if you sit in sections J to M you won’t be able to see much of Turn 13 as the buildings on the inside of the track will block your view. Plus, in the lower rows the fence will make it harder to see along the pit straight.
The video below (credit Jess Thompson) shows an example of the view from Section C row AA (front row of the premium section). This is the best view going in this stand.
This video was filmed from Section D row G, again showing a view looking right down the main straight.
Whereas this next video (credit Gary Cleary) was taken from Section F row J. This shows the difference when sitting further around the stand and lower down. The fence makes it pretty hard to follow the cars along the straight.
These images (credit Simon Zbierski) are from Section F row L.
The next video was filmed from Section G row AA (front row of premium seats).
In sections J to M your view will be pretty similar to the view from the Senna stand which is directly to the left of this grandstand.
You’ll also have a better view of the pit garage there, but the ones at this end of the straight are for the support series (V8 supercars) rather than the Formula 1 teams.
Best seats
Without a doubt, the best seats in the Prost grandstand are sections A to D rows P and above.
As the videos above show, sections A to D have the best view of turns 13 and 14 and are in prime location to be able to see along the start / finish straight.
You want to get as high a row as possible as seeing over the fence makes a big different here, so go for rows P and above. If you can afford it then go for rows in the premium seating area to guarantee a high vantage point.
Other grandstands at the Melbourne Grand Prix
This is a great grandstand to sit in at the Melbourne Formula 1 weekend, especially if you get the best seats I mentioned above.
Even in other seats it’s still a great place to sit, but Turn 14 doesn’t always see much overtaking as it’s pretty much flat out.
So if you want to be somewhere you’ll definitely see some passing then try and get a ticket in one of the grandstands at the first corner instead:
If you want to see the Formula 1 garages, pit stops, favourite team members and to be near the start line then you need:
To have a view of the cars for a little longer as they corner slowly:
Or to see the Formula 1 cars cornering as fast as possible try and buy a ticket for:
Nearest entrances
Entrance gates 1 and 10 at Albert Park are closest to this grandstand, but both of those are a bit of a walk away. So allow for a little extra time when you travel to the Grand Prix to get to your seats.
