Before you get started - learn more about the Chinese Grand Prix on track experience, buy tickets, or chat with other racegoers!
Please note that the security at the Chinese Grand Prix is extremely strict (no roaming allowed, especially for foreign travelers), we did our best to collect information for as many grandstands as possible. All pictures and information made possible by LegallyMotorsports (Lindsay)!
General admission at the Shanghai circuit is divided into zones and ticket-holders can only visit the zone they have a ticket for. These areas are all grass, but they are purposely built on hills so that you can have a better view of the track. They're also referred to as "grass stands".
General Admission "Grass Stand" L is located on the main straight directly next to the Main Grandstand (Grandstand A) along Turn 16. Regardless of where you are standing within this section, you will have a view of the main straight (pit lane, start/finish, and podium) as well as Turn 16. That being said, although there are no designated TV screens or audio for any of the general admission sections, if you stand near Grandstand A within this section, you may have a view of the TVs for this grandstand.
You should use your mobile device and audio device (headphones) to follow along the race on the local streaming platforms (including F1 TV). Additionally, BRING rain gear and something elevated to sit on, as it was extremely rainy this year (you can only sit directly on grass). Although this section is considered the most popular section, this section was not too crowded (even on race day) and there was plenty of personal space for every ticket-holder. The best part of General Admission Zone L is that you have direct access to the food, restrooms, refreshments, and fan zone directly behind Grandstand A.
General Admission "Grass Stand" Zone J is near the Turn 14 and 15 section hairpin. There is a chance of overtakes at this area! Unfortunately, the view from this General Admission Zone wasn't the best - you could only see Turns 14 and 15 with no TV or audio. If you stood towards the top of the hill you could see the back straight with DRS for overtaking.
You should use your mobile device and audio device (headphones) to follow along the race on the local streaming platforms (including F1 TV). Additionally, BRING rain gear and something elevated to sit on, as it was extremely rainy this year (you can only sit directly on grass). There was plenty of personal space for every ticket-holder. General Admission zone J is not very far from the food, restrooms, refreshments, and fan zone behind Grandstand A -only about a 5 minute walk.
General Admission "Grass Stand" Zone F is along the back straight, extending to Turn 13. This entire back straight has DRS enabled and is a section that you could catch many overtakes! If you stood closer to the eastern side of the General Admission Zone F, closer to Turn 14, you'd have a few TV's to watch the race stream on. However, most ticket-holders in this section did not have a view of the footage.
You should use your mobile device and audio device (headphones) to follow along the race on the local streaming platforms (including F1 TV). Additionally, BRING rain gear and something elevated to sit on, as it was extremely rainy this year (you can only sit directly on grass). There was plenty of personal space for every ticket-holder. The biggest trade- off for the promise of on-track action is that you are at the furthest point from the food, restrooms, refreshments, and fan zone behind Grandstand A - about a 15 -20 minute walk each way.
General Admission "Grass Stand" Zone C is along the 'mini straight' between turns 5 and 6. Spectators have a great vantage point in this section with full views of Turns 5 - 8 and cars coming up the hill of Turns 3 and 4. There are no TVs, however, so although you could attempt to follow the action between these turns, this is not the most popular GA section.
You should use your mobile device and audio device (headphones) to follow along the race on the local streaming platforms (including F1 TV). Additionally, BRING rain gear and something elevated to sit on, as it was extremely rainy this year (you can only sit directly on grass). There was plenty of personal space for every ticket-holder. The biggest trade- off for the promise of on-track action is that you are very far from the food, restrooms, refreshments, and fan zone behind Grandstand A - about a 15 -20 minute walk each way.
Grandstand A is also referred to as the Main Grandstand and is divided into 3 sections lengthwise, with differing views for each of these sections - as well as an upper and lower level. In the Left-most section of Lower Grandstand A you would have views of the 'lower ranked' teams garages, pits, the pit straight, and parts of Turn 1. IN the middle sections of Grandstand A you would have views of most of the garages, pits, pit straight, and parts of Turn 1 or Turn 16 in the distance. If you are in the right-most section of Grandstand A, you will have a view of the highest ranked team garages and some of the FIA activities as well as the pits, pit straight, and Turn 16 in the distance.
Every seat in Grandstand A and in all sections has a view of TVs with audio (up and down the pit lane). Additionally, it was much warmer than the upper grandstand (less wind). However, not every seat was covered so sun and rain are a factor in these seats. The best part of Grandstand A is that you do have direct access to the fan zones, food, activities, restrooms, and refreshments as they are next to this grandstand.
Grandstand A is also referred to as the Main Grandstand and is divided into 3 sections lengthwise, with differing views for each of these sections - as well as an upper and lower level. The upper level of Grandstand A only has a left and right section due to the Platinum section in the middle. In the Left-most section of Upper Grandstand A you would have views of the 'lower ranked' teams garages, pits, the pit straight, and parts of Turn 1. The elevation allows you a view of Sector 2, barring turn 4. If you are in the right-most section of Upper Grandstand A, you will have a view of the highest ranked team garages and some of the FIA activities as well as the pits, pit straight, and Turn 16 in the distance.
Every seat in Grandstand A and in all sections has a view of TVs with audio (up and down the pit lane). You are completely sheltered from the elements in the upper Grandstand A sections, however, due to the wind these seats could get very chilly. Bring a jacket! The best part of Grandstand A is that you do have direct access to the fan zones, food, activities, restrooms, and refreshments as they are next to this grandstand.
The Platinum section of Grandstand A was situated on the upper level middle section of this grandstand. Unlike the other parts of Grandstand A, there is an indoor portion of this section featuring refreshments, TV screens, audio, and temperature control. This grandstand section has a bird's eye view of many parts of the track including a complete view of the pit straight, pits, and garages. When we say bird's eye view - we mean it. There were only a couple of turns not visible from this section.
Every seat in Grandstand A and in all sections has a view of TVs with audio (up and down the pit lane). You are completely sheltered from the elements in the upper Grandstand A sections, however, due to the wind these seats could get very chilly. Bring a jacket! The best part of Grandstand A is that you do have direct access to the fan zones, food, activities, restrooms, and refreshments as they are next to this grandstand.
Even better, with your Platinum Grandstand A ticket, you were provided free food and refreshments on Sunday for the race. You would receive a wristband upon entry and that would allow free sandwiches, snacks, water, and some juice/tea options.
Grandstand B essentially begins where Grandstand A ends at the end of the start/finish straight. You will have crystal clear views of the end of this main straight into Turns 1 - 3. If you were seated higher up, you could even catch parts of Turns 4 - 6. While Grandstand B is very large, only sections 1 - 4 were open for spectators, which are the sections closest to Grandstand A. Even if you weren't in the higher rows, you could still follow all of the on track action from the large TV screen facing the center of the grandstand. Sections 1 - 4 all have views of this screen, unobstructed.
The one major downside of Grandstand B is that there is 0 covering, at all. Unlike the other 3 open grandstands (A, H, and K), this Grandstand is completely free-standing with no shade, so you will be exposed to all of the elements from rain to sun. To make up for this, the food, refreshments, fan zone, and restrooms that are behind Grandstand A are a 2-3 minute walk from the grandstand, so you can refresh between sections.
Grandstands H and K are mirrors of each other on either side of the Turn 14 and 15 hairpin. You will have a view of more of the main straight for Grandstand H, with a much clearer view in the earlier sections than in the sections closer to the hairpin turns. This grandstand has individual seats and an upper and lower section separated by a walkway (standard grandstand as compared to Grandstand A). This grandstand also falls in between General Admission sections J and F.
You will have a view of multiple TV screens in Grandstand H with audio in both English and Mandarin. None of the seats were obstructed from either viewing the track or the TV screens. Although the food, refreshments, fan zone, and restroom area is only located behind Grandstand A, this area of the track is only a ~10 minute walk from Grandstand H.
Grandstands H and K are mirrors of each other on either side of the Turn 14 and 15 hairpin. You will have a view of more of the back straight for Grandstand K, with a much clearer view in the earlier sections than in the sections closer to the hairpin turns. This grandstand has individual seats and an upper and lower section separated by a walkway (standard grandstand as compared to Grandstand A). This grandstand also falls in between General Admission sections J and L (Section J is seen in the rightmost photo).
You will have a view of multiple TV screens in Grandstand H with audio in both English and Mandarin. None of the seats were obstructed from either viewing the track or the TV screens. Although the food, refreshments, fan zone, and restroom area is only located behind Grandstand A, this area of the track is only a ~5 minute walk from Grandstand K.
We hope this guide is helpful!
If you want to hear more about the experience of FanAmp's Friend LegallyMotorsports (Lindsay) on the track, check out that article here! If you also want to hear from Lindsay about everything you need to know about traveling to Shanghai including where to stay, check out that article here! For tickets visit P1 Travel!
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