There are two grandstands on the Hamilton Straight at Silverstone which are named after Lewis Hamilton.
I sat in both of these grandstands during last year’s British Grand Prix, and your view can be great or awful depending on which seats you pick.
This is my guide to these two grandstands to help you choose your seats. It included my tips on the best and worst seats, videos of the views from different seats, a full seating plan, ticket info and more.
Contents
Where is the Hamilton Straight?
The Hamilton Straight used to be called the International Pits Straight. It’s the start / finish straight on the modern Silverstone Grand Prix circuit layout.
It was at the end of 2020 after Lewis Hamilton won his 7th F1 world title that the British Racing and Drivers Club agreed to rename the straight in honour of Lewis.
The straight has the large Silverstone Wing building along its right-hand side, which is home to conference centres, pit garages and overlooks the Silverstone pit lane.
Drivers enter the Hamilton Straight via the final corner on the GP circuit, Turn 15 Club Corner. At the other end of the straight is Turn 1, Abbey Corner.
Hamilton Straight grandstands
There are two Hamilton Straight grandstands:
- Hamilton Straight A
- Hamilton Straight B (also known as Hamilton Straight North)
Sitting in these two Hamilton Straight stands means you will have the best view of any seating area at Silverstone of the start / finish line. Plus you will be able to see all of the pitlane action, and if you’re at the start of the straight you can see the podium too.
At the end of the straight there are two Abbey grandstands.
The two Hamilton grandstands are in prime position for the start / finish line and pitlane. So if that is what you are interested in most of all then theses grandstands are the perfect place for you.
If you’re camping at Silverstone some of the nearest sites are Woodlands and the Golf Club.
Hamilton Straight tickets
I’ve bought Formula 1 tickets onViagogo and StubHub a number of times over the last couple of years, including when I went to the Las Vegas GP last year and for this year’s British GP. I’ve always had great experiences with them and will definitely be using them to buy more tickets this season.
They also have a very robust ‘FanProtect guarantee’ which means your tickets and money are always protected.
Are there big TV screens on Hamilton Straight?
For the Formula 1 there are a few TV screens attached to the side of the Wing pitlane building on the other side of the track. There are three of these spread out along the length of the building, and different ones are visible from different grandstands.
The image below shows that two screens are visible from the Hamilton A grandstand.
And this images shows a third screen which can be seen from Hamilton B.
Additionally during the race the background of the podium becomes a TV screen. This is mainly visible to those sat in Hamilton A.
Are the Hamilton Straight grandstands covered?
Hamilton Straight A grandstand is covered. It has a roof over the top with a small lip that drops down at the front to provide some extra weather protection for people sat in the front row. There are no covers on the sides of the grandstand, however, so people sat on the end might get a bit wet however they will have a great, unobstructed view.
Hamilton Straight B grandstand is not covered. It’s completely open to the elements.
Hamilton Straight A
Location
The Hamilton A (previously Hamilton South) grandstand is the closer of the two Hamilton stands to the final corner of Club. It is just before the start line but directly opposite the finish line and also sits opposite the start of the pitlane and the podium.
Hamilton A grandstand is directly adjacent to the newly built Hilton Hotel, which is just to the left of it. This grandstand is South-East facing.
View from Hamilton Straight A grandstand
The image below shows parts of the circuit visible from this stand highlighted in pink, depending on which seat you’re in:
I filmed the video below which shows the views from this stand. These views were taken from the following seats:
- Row R Seat 1 (furthest seat to the right)
- Row C Seat 63
- Row S Seat 141
- Row F Seat 205
As the video above shows, his grandstand has the best view from any seating area of the podium. It’s directly opposite to it and not very far away. The best view of the podium is for those in the lower seat numbers (right hand side of the stand).
If you are able to get seats on the right hand side of this grandstand (as you look at the track) you can also see much more of the final section of the lap. This includes the exit of Stowe corner and the whole Vale and Club complex.
Plus you can also see along most of the start / finish straight down towards Abbey Corner, if you’re in the lower seat numbers in the higher rows.
However, from the 2024 British GP onwards, Red Bull have built a large hospitality area on the front of the Hilton Hotel, just to the left of the Hamilton A stand. This has completely ruined the view of the start / finish straight for the people sat in seat numbers in the higher two thirds of this stand, as shown in the video above and in this image:
The Red Bull zone completely blocks the view of the start line, the second half of the straight and the first corner.
Understandably people are not very happy about it:
And now @redbullracing creating a skate track next to the grandstand so we can't even see the start lights. #Silverstone pic.twitter.com/sP0yhkitWw
— The Duchess of Surrey 👑🇮🇱 (@DebStibbs) July 7, 2024
So for those of us that have actually paid for our tickets, 1/4 of our view is now blocked by a hospitality area for Red Bull where they have a DJ that doesn’t stop playing whilst the cars are racing #silverstone #smh pic.twitter.com/3maidqEfIW
— Abi Garrett (@abilavelle) July 6, 2024
The video I filmed above was taken in 2025, so it was exactly the same then and I expect it will be the same going forwards.
Best and worst seats
The best seats in this grandstand are those in seat numbers 1 – 50. Any rows in that seat range should be good, but I’d prefer higher ones. Get those seats and you’ll have a great view of Vale, Club, the Podium, Pit Lane, Finish Line and your view won’t be blocked by the Red Bull hospitality zone, so you’ll see all of the start finish straight and the entry of Abbey too.
Seats 100 – 150 are OK only if you get one of the 3 or 4 highest rows (R, S, T, U) as that should just about let you see over the Red Bull Zone. But I wouldn’t risk it personally.
AVOID any seats above 150 as you’re likely going be massively blocked by the Red Bull zone regardless of which row you sit in.
Hamilton Straight A grandstand seating plan
Enter your name and email below and the hi-res Silverstone Hamilton Straight A grandstand seating plan will be sent to your inbox (the file is too large to host here!)
The rows run from A (front / lowest) to U (back / highest) and seat numbers go from 1 (closest to Club corner) to 234 (closest to the start / finish line). There are around 3800 seats in the Hamilton A grandstand.
Hamilton Straight B
Location
The Hamilton B (also known as Hamilton North) grandstand is located just past the start / finish line on the outside (left hand side) of the straight. It’s the other side of the Hilton Hotel to Hamilton A, so the two Hamilton grandstands sandwich the hotel in between them. Hamilton B is also North-East facing.
View from Hamilton Straight B grandstand
The image below shows the areas of the track visible from this stand highlighted in pink:
I filmed this video from various seats in Hamilton B to show the views. The seats this was filmed from were as follows:
- Row S Seat 13
- Row A Seat 44
- Row P Seat 90
- Row Q Seat 129 (furthest seat to the left)
Being further along the pit straight, the only view you have from here of the final sequence of corners is the exit of Club Corner. You cannot see Vale or the entry to Club.
The benefit of its location, however, is that you can see much more of the first corner Abbey. The further to the left in this grandstand you sit, the better your view of Turn 1 becomes.
You again have a great view of the pitlane, but the podium is much harder to see from here especially if you’re in the higher seat numbers on the left hand side.
However, the higher your seat number then the further away you get from the Red Bull hospitality zone to the right of the stand, and the less it impedes your view.
Best and worst seats
The higher your seat number the better your view. I’d go for seats in the 80 – 129 range in row M and above for the best view and to make sure your view of Club isn’t impeded by the Red Bull zone.
AVOID seats 1-50 in rows D – R as you’ll likely have you view of the final corner blocked by the Red Bull zone.
If you don’t want to look through the catch fencing go for row J and above.
Hamilton Straight B seating plan
Enter your name and email below and the hi-res Silverstone Hamilton Straight B grandstand seating plan will be sent to your inbox (the file is too large to host here!)
The rows run from A (front / lowest) to W (back / highest) and seat numbers go from 1 (closest to the start line) to 129 (closest to Abbey corner). There are around 1200 seats in the Hamilton B grandstand.
Best entrance gate for Hamilton Straight grandstands
The best spectator entrance gate to use to get to the Hamilton Straight and its grandstands is Gate 16, or failing that use the main entrance Gate 19.
See our article on Silverstone’s spectator entrance gates for detailed information on entering the circuit by foot.
Other Silverstone Grandstands
Check out my spectating guides for all other grandstands at Silverstone:
Hi there
great site , the best I have seen regarding clear , concise , relevant information .Thanks. One question please, I looking to purchase Hamilton A straight tickets . We sat there last year. However want to ensure we get a solid view see view of club corner as well as the straight.
What rows and seat numbers would you suggest to get the best view please?
thanks in advance
Hi Olu, thanks for the comments.
You want to be at the end of the stand nearest Club Corner. So that’s the lower seat numbers.
At the 2023 British GP they extended the adjancent Club C grandstand so it comes much closer to Hamilton A. I’m not certain, but there might be a risk that if you sat in the very end seat at the top of the Hamilton A grandstand your view of Club Corner now might be slightly impeded by the edge of the Club C stand.
Here’s a video taken from the new Club C extension, and you can see the end of Hamilton A to the left; https://youtu.be/3ge1w6TyKmU
I’d hedge my bets and try and gets seats in the 10 – 30 range. I always prefer higher rows for a better vantage points so would go for row L and above.
Hi:)
Thank you so much for this useful information as this is my first ever GP!
I just managed to get my tickets at Hamilton Straight A with seat number lower 50 in the first couple of rows. May I know if I will have a good view of club and vale corner? As well as the start and finish line? Thanks!
Hi Nana, as my reply to the comment above this says getting seats in the lower numbers in Hamilton A is great for seeing some of Club and Vale. You’re alongside the start / finish straight and the finish line will be very close to you. Great tickets, well done!
Great, the first site I’ve found where I can actually see where the seats I’ve just paid 2k for ARE. Ham B , row A doesn’t start until seat 34. Why, what’s in place of the seats? We have B 13 14 and 15 and my granddaughter will be heartbroken if our view is obscured
Hi Denise, I wouldn’t worry. Looking back at some of the race footage from the 2023 British GP (when the row A layout was the same) there doesn’t seem to be anything in front of the stand. I think, you guys will effectively have front row.
thank you. LOVE your site – fantastic help for F1 virgins like me.
Thanks Denise, glad it has been useful!
Hi, Just to let you know, car park 50 is for Blue Badge parking only! Thank you
Thanks for the info Sue!
Good Evening We are going to take our Grandson to Silverstone G.Prix on the Sunday
Hamilton Straight A. Row ES… I can’t see it on plan or Row O. Could you tell me which would be the best view.
Many thanks
Dianne Allan
Hi Dianne, I don’t know what row ES is? The rows are single letters. If it’s row E then I would suggest row O instead as it will be higher up with a better vantage point.
Hello, thank you so much for providing such great information. I have a question regarding Hamilton A. Seat L27. Is it covered? I am wondering if I need to pack sun protection or rain gear. I usually go to Montreal (always bring rain gear) and I did Vegas. Just need to know what I should be prepared for. Thanks!
Hi Karen, Hamilton A has a roof so it’s covered. But it’s England, so I’d always suggest bringing some light layers / protection from both sun and rain just incase!
Hi Alex,
what a great site this is!
Do you know yet if Red Bull are setting up the skate park and hospitality area adjacent to the Hamilton A grandstand again this year which spoilt the view for many people in this stand last year?
Thanks
Hi Pat, I’ve just updated the article with Silverstone’s response which I had back this afternoon in the Hamilton A view section. In short, yes the Red Bull area will be there again but they’re going to try and make it smaller (but it’s still likely to be an issue). Sit there at your peril!
Hi Alex,
Great website! Very clear information.
I saw from your seating plan that A1 is closest to Club Corner, however when I purchased my tickets, the Silverstone website suggested that the lower numbers were closer to the Redbull hospitality, and the finish line.
Based on your advice, I bought N20 and N21. It’s very contradictory. Would you consider my seat numbers to be good, having a decent view over the previous corners and the podium?
Many thanks,
Corrine
Hi Corrine, I have just doubled checked. Both my seating plan and the ticket selection on the Silverstone website say the same thing – A1 is closest to Club Corner and the higher seat numbers are further along the start / finish straight. So your low seat numbers will be good – you’re closer to club and should have a better angle to look past the hotel / Red Bull area.
Great, thank you so much for confirming, Alex!
Hi,
Thanks for the great info, just wondering if my tickets row S seat 65 will have anything obstructing my view,
Many thanks
Hi Ben, in Hamilton A or B?
Hamilton A, Alex
Sorry.
Hi Alex,
what a website, best I’ve seen! Has all the information needed and doesn’t make you subscribe or pay. Just a question on seats row S 66-65. Will there be anything blocking the view.
Many thanks.
Hi Ben, in Hamilton A or B?
Hamilton A Alex
Sorry,
Hello Alex…
For the last 8 races I have sat in Hamilton Straight A.. Before that it was Club Corner C.
This year I would like to try Hamilton B.
I have read your very helpful guide & watched the videos, which I think are fantastic by the way.
You may not be able to help further but I always have an end seat due to disability.
I have requested the floor plan a few times to help me see the seating rows/No,s but it never comes through to my email or junk.
I will definitely go for row M or above as you suggested but which number range would I need for an end seat that allows us to view both ends of the straight?
If I had to choose I would choose Club corner view over Turn 1, if that’s another consideration for what I’m requesting.
Thank you C x
PS I wish I had found this site when I first started going to Silverstone!!!