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The Italian Grand Prix is held every year at Monza, the ‘Temple of Speed’, just outside Milan. Speed really is the name of the game here, and there are plenty of spots to choose from to see the cars at their fastest.
This circuit sees the drivers at full throttle for the majority of the lap, with three chicanes, the two Lesmo bends and the wide Curva Grande and Parabolica making the Italian Grand Prix an action-packed Formula 1 race.
In this grandstand guide, you’ll find out what you can see from the different stands at the track. We’ve also highlighted where you can access with a general admission ticket for the Italian Grand Prix.
Guide to Grandstands at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix
Monza may be renowned as one of the oldest, fastest and most iconic race on the Formula 1 calendar, but the grandstands do not enjoy such a favourable reputation.
The stands are mainly concrete or plastic bleacher style seats and many fans prefer to bring a cushion. Top tip – inflatable cushions are much more portable! If not, you may find yourself on your feet for a lot of the weekend.
Something to bear in mind is that the exact placement of the giant TV screens is subject to change year on year.
We’ve put together a guide, including a map of the Monza grandstands, the best places to sit and a rundown of the grandstand locations and features.
Monza grandstands map
The shape of this iconic track is one of the most recognisable in Formula 1. Located just 25 minutes from the centre of Milan, the Temple of Speed never disappoints. But where will you sit for the next edition?
The best place to sit at Monza
The best place to sit at Monza is a topic of hot debate among Formula 1 fans. Some want to see the cars as close as possible, some just want speed, and many want a good view of the podium for the awards ceremony.
If you’re after the true Tifosi experience at Monza, then the Ferrari fans can be found concentrated in Grandstands 1 and 26 on the start/finish line, as well as in the General Admission area.
If budget isn’t an issue, then the Laterale Destra A (23) is located on the start/finish straight and offers panoramic views of the long straight. These seats are opposite the pit and podium.
Grandstands 1, 26a, 26b, 26c, 4, 5 & 24 (Centrale, Laterale Destra A, B and C, Laterale Sinistra, Piscina and Vedano)
Big screen: Yes
Covered: Yes
Numbered seating: Yes
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of the pit straight on race day at Monza. While you are able to soak in the atmosphere pre-race as the cars prepare on the grid, you can also see right into the pit lane.
However at Monza, it’s extra special. This is the fastest lap on the calendar, and after building up speed through the long back straight and around the Parabollica, they reach max huge speeds across the main straight before the major braking zone at the first chicane. These grandstands will provide excellent views of F1 cars pushed to their limit.
But post-race, these stands provide a sight to behold. Lined with Ferrari’s adoring Tifosi, the fans flood onto the pit straight to celebrate what they hope will be a victory for the Italian team. The scenes in 2019 when Charles Leclerc took the first Ferrari home win in a decade were iconic. History would have surely repeated itself in 2020 too, when Gasly took victory for the other Italian team, AlphaTauri.
If you’re looking for maximum atmosphere from your Grand Prix experience, book one of these five grandstands.
Grandstands 6 and 8 (Alta Velocita A, B & C and Prima Variante A & B)
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
One of the major action zones at Monza comes at the Prima Variante, or ‘first chicane’. The cars squeeze up for this slow right-left chicane before picking up the pace again for the Curva Grande.
Grandstands 6 and 8 are on either side of the chicane, putting you in the midst of the action. Whether a driver is sizing up a move at the end of the straight, or the carnage of turn 1, action is guaranteed.
Grandstands 9 and 10 (Seconda Variante and Roggia)
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
Further around the lap, the next grandstands 9 and 10 are at the second chicane, the Variante della Roggia. This corner is at the end of the long Curva Grande section of the track, where cars reach speeds of around 330km/h.
These grandstands offer a view of the cars swinging around the tight chicane, which is also a great overtaking opportunity for any driver who’s brave enough. It was a key location for the race in 2019, when Charles Leclerc pushed Lewis Hamilton to the very edge of the circuit. Lewis complained, Leclerc was slapped on the wrists, but managed to hold on for a memorable victory.
This section of the circuit is also unique in that it’s somewhat secluded from the rest of the circuit. These grandstands, surrounded by the forestation, really remind you that the race is taking place in the midst of a national park.
Grandstands 12, 14, 15 and 16 (Ascari Tre, Ascari Due, Ascari Uno & Ascari)
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes
The third sector features the third chicane of the circuit: the Variante Ascari. Names in honour of the Italian driver who lost his life at this spot in 1955, it’s a much wider chicane taken at higher speeds than the previous two. That doesn’t make it any less chalanging, however.
In 2019, Sebastian Vettel fell foul of the turn and oversteered onto the grass. This triggered an extraordinary set of events that left the Ferrari fans in the stands shocked. As Vettel rejoined the track, he didn’t see the bright pink Racing Point of Lance stroll. Clipping Stroll’s car, Vettel was deemed to have rejoined unsafely and was handed a 10-second penalty. As Stroll looked to rejoin, he also did so unsafely, and a drive-through penalty was handed out for the Canadian. But it was Vettel who really suffered, as this resulted in a dire race in what would be his final home jaunt for Ferrari.
These stands offer a great view of the cars hammering down from the final DRS zone, so many will shape up for an overtaking move as they reach the braking zone.
Grandstands 21 and 22 (Laterale Parabolica A, B, C, D & E, Parabolica and Parabolica Interna A & B)
Big screen: Yes
Covered: 22 (Parabolica)
Numbered seating: Yes
As the cars reach the conclusion of the back straight, the track is lined by grandstands on both sides. On the outside, stands 21 (a – e) and 22 are in a great position to see if anyone has made the most of the slipstream to make a move into the legendary Parabolica. GF10, 11, 12 and 13 are on the inside of this corner, behind general admission zones.
Max Verstappen’s travelling army of fans have been known to set up in stands 21 and 22, bringing with them a huge party atmosphere and pumping music.
Grandstands 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 28 and 30 (Vedano, Laterale Destra A, B & C and Gradinate Traguardo)
Big screen: Yes
Covered: Vedano (24)
Numbered seating: Yes
Lining the pit straight, this is where to sit to catch the close battles over the line. Grandstands 26 – 30 are smaller stands, and very popular with fans, as they are close to the podium. This should give fans a good opportunity to secure a prime spot on the circuit for the podium celebrations.
Grandstands 24 and 25 are larger stands right next to them. You’ll get a good view of the cars coming into the pits, as well as that chequered flag moment.
Monza general admission areas
Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: No
You can get a great view of almost every section of the circuit from general admission zones at Monza. All general admission areas are on the inside of the track, and Friday provides a chance for fans to wonder around and decide where they want to watch the action on Sunday. You’ll want to arrive early on race day to secure your spot, with areas at the Curva Granda and two Lesmo corners popular.
You can also get in front of the grandstands at the entry of the Parabolica, with stone bleachers lining the wide corner.
Monza F1 tips
If you’re desperate to get on the circuit, there’s a gate that opens in the middle of Parabolica after the race to let the fans run on to the track.
The organisers at Monza have suffered some criticism in recent years over the conditions for fans. Due to an increasingly high attendance, the track struggled with long queues but have since revised their strategy for race days.
However, this is one of the most popular races in Formula 1 and is always a sell out events. Therefore, it is definitely worth getting to the circuit early and waiting around after to avoid the worst of the crowds.
As we mentioned earlier, don’t forget a cushion for the grandstand seats, and don’t leave booking your Monza tickets too late as they invariably sell out.