Image: JVTC
Here’s my guide to sitting in the Stewart Grandstand (formerly called the Summerland grandstand) at the Australian GP.
It includes examples of the view, my tips on picking the best seats and a detailed seating plan.
Grandstand location
The grandstand used to be called the Summerland grandstand up to and including the 2022 race.
Since 2023 it has been named after the three-time F1 world champion Jackie Stewart.
It’s on the outside (left-hand side) of the Albert Park circuit on the exit of Turn 5. There’s no gravel trap on the exit of this corner, so the stand is directly adjacent to the track and very close to the cars.
Other grandstands
Tickets - Australian Grand Prix
This is one of the cheaper stands so tickets often sell out fast when they’re released. If that’s the case, you can buy tickets through Stubhub instead.
I’ve used StubHub numerous times for F1 tickets over the last few years and have always had a great experience. They have a robust FanProtect guarantee which keeps your tickets & money safe too.
- Only standard uncovered tickets are available in this stand
- One of the cheaper grandstands at the event
- Tickets come in single day / 2 day (Sat, Sun) / 3 day (Fri, Sat & Sun) / 4 day (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun) options
- Tickets also include access to the Park Pass General Admission areas
- Tickets also include access to the fan zones and concerts on the days of your ticket
Grandstand details
TV screens
There’s one big TV screen directly opposite the stand on the other side of the track, easily visible from all seats.
Cover
The grandstand is completely uncovered and exposed to the elements, so make sure you bring some suitable sun / rain protection.
Read my guide on what to wear to the Australian GP for more info.
Seats
The seats are plastic chairs with a fixed back and folding base. You could be sat in them for hours at a time, so a small cushion or something soft to sit on definitely helps.
Stewart grandstand seating plan
Below is the seating plan for the Stewart Grandstand at the Melbourne Grand Prix.
As the seating plan shows, the grandstand is made up of two sections A and B.
Section A is larger with rows that start from A at the front and go up to W, plus it’s closer to the apex of Turn 5. Section B is slightly smaller with rows that start at A and go up to M. Neither section has rows I or O.
Seat numbers increase from left to right (if you stand on the circuit and look up at the stands). They start from 1 again at the start of each section.
You can choose your specific seat when buying grandstand tickets at the Melbourne Formula 1. See my tips lower down this page for picking the best seats in this stand.
Grandstand views
The views of the track from this grandstand are highlighted in pink in the image below.
As the image shows, you can see a little bit of the track before the cars enter Turn 5, you get a great view of the corner itself and then you can see a little way along the straight and right-hand kink that follows it. You can just about see the braking and turn-in point for Turn 6.
If you sit in section A you’ll be able to see more of the cars as they approach and enter in Turn 5. Getting a ticket for Section B will give you less visibility of the cars as they run up to Turn 5.
The two videos below were filmed from the back row, row M, of section B in the lower seat numbers (close to section A).
The videos show that from here you can just about see over the fence as the cars enter Turn 5, and then you can follow them all the way down towards Turn 6.
They also show that if you sit too far to the left in section B your view down towards Turn 6 will be blocked by the big trees to the left of the stand.
Best seats Stewart grandstand
The best seats in the Stewart Grandstand are seats 1 – 30 in rows M to W of section A.
These seats will give you the best view of the cars as they approach Turn 5. Ideally the lower seat number in section A the better as you may even be able to see towards the exit of Turn 4.
I’d suggest sitting higher up in the stand (so rows M and above) to be able to look over the fence at the screen, plus you’ll get a nice wide vantage point and will still be able to see towards Turn 6.
Is this grandstand a good place to sit at the Melbourne GP?
Turn 5 doesn’t often see much overtaking during the Grand Prix. For that you want one of the grandstands at the end of one of the DRS zones, such as the Brabham grandstand by the first corner.
What Turn 5 does give you is a close-up view of the cars cornering at high speed, being sucked to the ground by their down force. Plus the TV screen is very close so you can always keep up with the action easily.
If getting a close-up of your favourite driver or team at the start of the race is more important, then you should select the Fangio grandstand instead. That’s located alongside the start finish straight and if you sit in the right place you’ll be right next to all the celebs on the grid before the race, plus have a great view of the Aus GP trophy being awarded to the winner.
A ticket for this stand is one of the cheapest grandstand tickets at the event, which is reflected in the view and lack of on-track action that you’re likely to see from here.
Nearest entrance
The nearest Albert Park entrance gate to this stand at the Australian Grand Prix is Gate 3, just a 5 minute walk away and the one you should aim for when making travel plans.
