This is my guide for spectating in the Schumacher grandstand at the Melbourne Formula 1 race weekend.
It includes examples of the view, info on where to buy tickets, a seating plan and my tips on getting the best seats in this stand.
Location?
This grandstand is on the left-hand side (outside) of the Albert Park Formula 1 circuit between turns 13 and 14.
It’s directly adjacent to the Prost stand which is just off to the left of this one, further around the final corner.
Grandstand features
- Cover: Uncovered (standard section) and covered (premium section at the top only)
- TV screen: One big screen on the inside of the final corner and another on the other side of the track at Turn 13.
- Seats: Plastic folding seats with a fixed back
Tickets - Australian Grand Prix
This is a very popular grandstand which means tickets are in high demand. If they’re sold out on the official site you can buy tickets through Stubhub instead.
I’ve used StubHub lots of times for F1 events over the last few seasons and have always had a great experience using them. They also have a robust FanProtect guarantee which will keep your money and tickets safe.
- Standard (uncovered) and premium (covered) tickets are available in this stand
- Junior and accessible tickets 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 include access to Park Pass General Admission areas
- Tickets include access to all fan zones and concerts on the day(s) of your ticket
Schumacher grandstand seating plan
Seating plan for the Schumacher grandstand is below.
- Sections: 9 sections named A to J (no section I). A is closest T13, J is closest T14.
- Rows: Standard section rows A to S (A at the front), premium section rows AA to CC (CC at the back). No row I or O.
- Numbered seating: Each section has seat numbers that go from 1 to 19, both standard and premium
View from the grandstand
The pink sections of track in the image below are the views you’ll have from this stand.
As the image shows, from here you can see from the braking and entry point of Turn 13 all the way to just after the apex of Turn 14.
The grandstand isn’t quite far enough around Turn 14 to be able to see all the way down the start / finish straight, even from the extreme left hand side of it (section J). The buildings on the inside of the track near the pit entry will block your view.
The video below was filmed from Section J, Row C, seat 17. Pretty much as far to the left as you can get in the stand.
10:19 in the video below was filmed from between Sections D and E, Row S (back row of the standard section).
And this next video was filmed from Section F Row J.
Best seats
The best seats in the Schumacher grandstand are those in Sections H and J, Rows M and up.
It doesn’t matter too much where you’re seated as everywhere in this grandstand has a good view. But the ones above are my personal preference.
Sections H and J are closest to the final corner and let you see as far around it as possible. Being in Row M or above you’re high enough to have a great, wide vantage point allowing to see just as much of Turn 13.
If you are happy to spend a few extra dollars then the premium covered reserved seats are worth it for the weather protection and the higher viewing point.
If you go for premium I’d suggest trying to get the back row in section A, as from there you can turn around to see the cars approaching T13 much earlier.
Other grandstands - Australian Grand Prix
The Schumacher grandstand is great value for its location on the track, but Turns 13 and 14 don’t often see a huge amount of overtaking action. At the 2023 Australian Grand Prix you would have seen Max Vestappen drive off the road at T13 but not a huge amount else.
If you can’t get tickets here, there are other grandstands worth considering.
The bigger Prost grandstand that’s adjacent will give views of T13, T14 and the pit straight but the prices for that are about 100 dollars more.
If you want to sit on the pit straight itself then you need the Fangio stand.
For seeing as much overtaking action (and potential carnage) then you need tickets in one of the stands at the first corner:
If you want to see the cars in some of the fastest corners on the track then you need tickets in one of these grandstands:
And to see the cars at one of the slowest corners on the track, Turn 11, you can go for tickets in one of these stands:
Closest entrances
Albert Park entrance gate 10 is the closest to the grandstand.
Hi Alex – Great article! I’m looking to get tickets for the first time and your article really helps to understand the park and viewing. Do you know when Grandstand tickets generally go on sale to general public?
Last year the earliest tickets went on sale in August. Obviously we’ve passed that now so I imagine it’s soon. Sign up to the mailing list here so you’re notified when they go on sale: https://www.grandprix.com.au/tickets/register-your-interest