Blown away by the atmosphere at the Dutch Grand Prix on TV? So were we, but imagine getting in amongst the action at Zandvoort, joining thousands of crazy Dutch fans for an incredible race.
With the return of the race to the Formula 1 calendar a resounding success, it’s bound to be one of the most popular races in coming seasons. When buying your tickets, it’s best to be completely prepared. With this guide, you’ll find out about every grandstand at the Dutch Grand Prix, where the best areas for atmosphere are, and what you’ll see from each stand.
Book your 2024 Dutch F1 tickets here.
Map view of Zandvoort’s grandstands for the Dutch Grand Prix
The grandstand set-up at Zandvoort can be a little confusing, as several stands may fall under the same name. This map of Zandvoort will give you a clear picture of exactly where each grandstand is and the section of the track you’ll be sat in.
Full list of grandstands at Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix
Pit Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
The Pit Grandstand is one of the best places to watch the Dutch Grand Prix. As the name might suggest, it is the stand directly opposite the pit boxes at Zandvoort, offering a good view of the pit stops and garages. It also lines the grid of the main straight, so you will be in a prime position to soak up the atmosphere before the start. You’ll also be in the only stand where you’ll feel the power of 20 Formula 1 cars powering up before the lights go out.
The Pit Grandstand also offers good views of the race build up, including the famous national anthem, as well as interviews. These tickets prove some of the most popular year after year.
Summer climate in the Netherlands is similar to that of London. It can be very warm around the weekend of the Grand Prix, but there is always a chance of rain. The Pit Grandstand is uncovered.
Main Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: Yes
Covered: Yes
Numbered seating: Yes
The Main Grandstand is the biggest stand at Zandvoort, so as you might expect, the atmosphere is next level. It’s a popular grandstand as it is right next to the Pit Grandstand, so you’ll catch the cars starting to build speed towards Turn 1. It’s also right by the pit exit, so fans will catch and crucial strategic action that might take place.
The Main Grandstand is also the only covered grandstand at Zandvoort.
There are big screens lining the pit building opposite this stand, so you’ll be able to keep up with all the action throughout the race.
Tarzan-In Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
Turn 1 at Zandvoort is the legendary Tarzanbocht. This wide hairpin is pretty much unchanged from when the circuit was built in 1948. Back then, hundreds of fans would sprawl the sandy dunes to get a view of their favourite cars.
Luckily in the 21st century, there’s a big, comfortable grandstand in a prime position. You’ll see the cars enter Turn 1 after the short burst to the first corner. The wide nature of the track at this point means the cars can run wheel-to-wheel, at least two cars-wide, through the entire turn, which is truly a sight to behold.
There’s a big screen to the left of the grandstand, so fans can stay informed throughout the race. This remains one of the most popular grandstand options at the Dutch Grand prix.
Ben Pon Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: No
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
The Ben Pon Grandstand is at the opposite end of the straight to Tarzanbocht, next to the Pit Grandstand. Here, you get a view of the cars coming through the banked final corner and re-joining the pit straight. Any last-minute moves could be lined up on the exit of this turn, so it’s a thrilling place to watch the race.
Due to the undulating nature of the circuit, fans in the Ben Pon Grandstand will also see the cars as they move towards and out of the Turn 3. This is the first banked corner on the track, and proved a key sector to nail for all cars on their way to success in 2021.
Arena Grandstands
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs and cup holders
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
This is where the party starts. As the cars close the lap, they enter a slow chicane surrounded by grandstands. This is known as the arena, as thousands of fans create a cacophony of noise, cheering along to drum and bass anthems. Add into the mix a dozen or so orange flares, and you have yourself an unbeatable Zandvoort atmosphere.
There are three gold Arena grandstands on the outside of the long-radius turn out of the chicane, and silver and bronze stands at the exit towards the final turns. Each stand has a view of the multiple screens on a pillar inside Turn 12, so everyone will catch the final chequered flag moment, cueing the absolute pandemonium.
Arena-In Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
The Arena-In Grandstand lines the outside of the corner at the braking zone for the slow chicane at tTurn 11. It’s essentially an extension of the Arena grandstands, so you’ll experience the atmosphere just the same, but slightly cheaper. You’ll see the cars charge through the DRS zone, and see whether any are brave enough to throw a move down the inside.
Opposite you, the three Eastside Grandstands give the entire straight towards Turn 11 a stadium-like feel which you’ll be a part of. There is a bit screen above the Eastside grandstand just for fans in the Arena-In stand.
Eastside Grandstands
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: Yes (Gold and Silver) and No (Bronze)
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
There are three Eastside grandstands along the DRS zone in the final sector. The ticket prices get more expensive the closer you move towards the Arena section, where the best atmosphere will be. But each of the grandstands offers a chance to see the cars at high speeds. There are big screens above the opposite Arena-In grandstand which the fans in the bronze and silver seats will benefit from.
The gold Eastside Grandstand is essentially inside the arena section. It is directly opposite the arena stands, and much higher so you’ll be looking down on the cars. This will give you an exceptional view of the action and partying after the race.
Around the corner from these stands, there is a second Bronze grandstand. This is opposite the Bronze Arena grandstands, so the atmosphere will still be palpable.
Arena-Out Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
Once the cars have passed through the Arena-Out Grandstand, they pass the Arena-Out Grandstand. This is the last stand the cars pass before they embark on the final two turns, including the intimidating banked Turn 14. It has a dedicated screen opposite so you can see the cars pass through the iconic corner without missing a beat.
Hairpin Grandstand
Seat type: Comfortable chairs with seat backs
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
The two hairpin grandstands lie back to back on either side of the sector two hairpin. As the cars approach, they will have just navigated the fast-flowing corners. They will slow right down, pass through the hairpin, and emerge on a short straight and DRS zone towards the arena.
As the cars do pass at relatively slow speeds, this is an excellent spot for any photographers who might want to get a close up of the cars. The Arena grandstands are also good for this, but do tend to be affected by smoke flares at the start and end of the race. There are big screens opposite each of these grandstands for convenience.
General Admission at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort
There are two General Admission viewing zones for fans at Zandvoort. There’s the Gold General Admission 1, which stretches a huge section of the track. Starting at the exit of Turn 1, fans can choose any spot on the outside of the circuit right round to Turn 9 to view the race. There are no grandstands in these sections of the track, so they offer a truly unique perspective of the race.
The Bronze General Admission zone is on the inside of the penultimate Turn 13. Here is where the cars are gearing up for the final corner of the track, and will feed off the pulsating atmosphere in the nearby arena grandstands.