Japan Grand Prix Grandstand Guide: where to watch the F1 race at Suzuka

Suzuka is one of the special places Formula 1 goes racing. The Japan Grand Prix is one of the drivers’ favourite races, as they push their skill at this technical, high-speed circuit.

It’s also a highlight for the fans. Japan is home to some of the sport’s most passionate fans, with some dressing up as their favourite drivers or even the actual cars.

The circuit is also unique, as it is the only track on the calendar configured in a figure of eight. But it also contains a huge number of grandstands to watch the race from. To make sure you get the perfect view, check out this grandstand guide to the Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Japan Grand Prix: best grandstands to watch the race

Start-finish Grandstand: Grandstand V1 (lower)and V2 (Upper)

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No (except upper rows of V2)
Numbered seating: Yes

As with most Formula 1 races, the start-finish straight is often the place to be. This is where you will soak up the pre-race atmosphere, feel the roar of the start, and witness the race-winning chequered flag moment. It’s no different at Suzuka, where grandstands V1 and V2 line the grid. The upper rows of V2 stretch very high above the track with a great vantage point for fans to peer into the pit lane. V1 is closer to the circuit fence, where you’ll get an ideal view of the start.

Grandstands A1 (lower) and A2 (upper)

Big screen: Yes
Covered: Yes
Numbered seating: Yes

Grandstands A1 and A2 are similar to V1 and V2 in how they are configured. A2 stretches high behind A1, which is closer to the circuit. These stands are further along the straight, closer to the braking zone for the medium-speed turn 1. This is where the cars will look to jostle for position off the line and is a key overtaking zone for the rest of the race. It’s not unusual for cars to tangle while lining up a pass here, as they carry different speeds thanks to the use of DRS along the straight.

Grandstands B1 (lower) and B2 (upper)

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

Grandstands B1 and B2 are also one behind the other and have a great view of the First Curve. This is the first challenge the drivers face, as they turn while slowing the car down. This corner caught Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc out in 2019, where the pair collided and eventually the Dutchman retired from the race. There’s a giant screen opposite the stand in the in-field to keep an eye on the action.

Grandstands C1 (lower) and C2 (upper)

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

Grandstands C1 and C2 also lie astern, at the exit of the First Curve. This is where the drivers enter one of the trickiest, but the most rewarding sequences of corners in the world. Drivers will begin to pick up the speed as they enter the ‘S curves’, a series of corners with widening radii. There may be tangles here on the exit of the first curve, or as cars look to make a move to enter the ‘S’ section ahead of another car. There are two big screens opposite the stands.

Grandstands D1, D2, D4 and D5

Big screen: Sections 4 and 5 yes; sections 1-2 no.
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

The ‘D’ grandstands are on the outside of the ‘S’ curves. These four stands stretch around the outside of one of the corners, and are a prime position to see the downforce of the cars in action. This is the area of the circuit the drivers really enjoy, as they handle the cars around a medium-speed section with many changes in rotation. For fans in the smaller grandstands (4 and 5), there are giant screens opposite the stands to keep up with the rest of the action. However, there isn’t great big screen visibility from stands 1 and 2, but these are the bigger stands where there will be a great atmosphere. Fans will also get a great view of the cars coming through the first curve all the way through the S section.

Grandstands E1 and E2

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

These stands are slightly further along from the ‘D’ grandstands. They offer a fantastic view of the cars concluding the ‘S’ curves, where maximum concentration is required to nail the apexes. That includes the final corner of the complex, the Dunlop Curve. Here the cars will begin to accelerate towards the second sector of the circuit. There are two big screens opposite the stands.

Grandstand I

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

This is the largest grandstand at Suzuka and lines the outside of the exit of the hairpin. This is the slowest section of the circuit where the cars rotate 180°, but the low speeds make it a prime overtaking spot. This especially true on lap one, as the cars bunch up after the start. This stand stretches along the exit of the hairpin and has a giant screen opposite.

Grandstand J

Big screen: No
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

This grandstand is much smaller than grandstand I, but just further along the circuit on the inside of the track. Here the cars are gathering speed to take into Spoon Curve, which is another key overtaking zone.

Grandstand P

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

130R is a legendary corner in Formula 1. Once one of the most challenging corners in the world, the increased downforce of modern cars showcases the abilities of Formula 1 cars. A glorious high-speed corner, Grandstand P is along the outside of the exit of the corner. This is a section of the circuit where the cars reach their maximum speed, before slowing down for the chicane. There is a big screen opposite the stand.

Grandstand Q1 (lower) and Q2 (upper)

Big screen: Q1 no; Q2 yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

Drama at Suzuka almost always revolves around the final chicane. At the end of the long, high-speed section that includes 130R, this chicane slows the cars right down to their lowest speeds. It has been the site of Senna and Prost’s legendary, title-deciding crash in 1989 where the McLaren teammates crashed into each other. By taking Senna out (he was later disqualified), Prost maintained an unassailable lead in the championship. And drama here continues to this day: Alex Albon and Lando Norris collided here in 2019. This stand is also at the entry to the pit lane so you can keep an eye on who pulls the strategy trigger first. Q2’s very high above the circuit and offers some brilliant panoramic views of the circuit and along the straight.

Grandstand R

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

Just on the outside of the very final corner, grandstand R is in a prime position to see the start of the race and the final moments of the lap. This could be an opportunity for drivers to line up an overtake later on the straight or nail the final moments of the perfect qualifying lap. You’ll also see the winning driver cross the line, with a giant screen opposite to watch the rest of the action.

Grandstand S

Big screen: Yes
Covered: No
Numbered seating: Yes

Directly next to the main straight grandstand is the small grandstand S. This is just along the exit of the final corner as the cars line up to bomb along the main straight. You’ll see the all-important chequered flag moment here, as well as the epic podium celebrations in the pit building. For the rest of the racing, you’ll be able to follow on a big screen.