The Miami Grand Prix is one of the newest races on the Formula 1 calendar, known for its beautiful track and the iconic Hard Rock Stadium.
Our team has created a comprehensive guide to help you decide which seating option is best for YOU at the Miami Grand Prix, to ensure that you make the most out of your race experience!
Before you get started - learn more about the Miami Grand Prix on track experience, buy tickets, or chat with other racegoers!
Miami Grand Prix Track Map
General Admission
*General Admission is nearly everywhere around the circuit on the map other than paddock/pits and including the Stadium itself*
Big Screen: Depends on location - you can choose to stand near one (noted below in Grandstands), but most vantage points will not have one
Covered: No, unless inside the stadium
Numbered Seating: No
General Admission Notes
General Admission is also known as the Campus Pass at the Miami Grand Prix. On top of the general standing areas next to the fences (pictured above), there are three unique options for the Miami Grand Prix General Admission pass: Official Viewing Platforms, Heineken Viewing Decks, and Stadium Viewing. When attending the race in General Admission, showing up to the track early is key to getting a 'good' viewing spot either on the platforms, near a screen/ audio, or in an area of the track with a lot of action (i.e. the North Beach area).
General Admission ticket-holders will have access to all of the same amenities as Grandstand ticket-holders including: food and beverage, water refill stations, fan zones and activations, and restrooms. Check out FanAmp's on track experience article for more details about these amenities. If you don't want to stand in the heat or sunlight for the sessions, you could also watch the race on TVs within these food/ fan zone sections and in various walkways around the track.
**NOTE: If you are a General Admission ticket-holder, consider renting official audio equipment or using the circuit wifi to tune into the ESPN, Sky Sports, or F1 TV streams to follow along.**
Official Viewing Platforms
The official viewing platforms are dotted around the track in various locations (generally on straights). They are uncovered risers, generally without screens or special audio. About 30 fans could stand on the platform comfortably at once. You will be directly next to the track, but because the Miami GP is a 'street circuit' you are not elevated enough to have the same vantage point as a grandstand.
Heineken Viewing Decks
A slightly better general admission viewing option is the Heineken Viewing Decks. These were also dispersed around the circuit and could fit closer to 50 fans on the deck. These areas were much more luxurious than the Official Viewing Platforms - equipped with cup holders, fans, and shade. A few of the decks around the circuit even had the TV broadcast, while most of the decks had the audio broadcast. Again, you will be directly next to the track, but due to the layout of the Miami GP, you are not elevated enough to have the same vantage point as a grandstand.
Stadium Viewing
One of the arguably 'coolest' places to watch the Miami GP from is within the Hard Rock Stadium. Watching sessions in the stadium offers much more shade, air flow, concessions with shorter lines, and bathrooms that are not port-a-potties. You could stand along the walkways and outdoor areas of the stadium overlooking the track around most of the stadium... OR you could sit INSIDE the stadium itself and watch the race on the big screens overlooking the paddock itself. (Cool right?)
Grandstands
Marina Grandstand
Big Screen: Yes and VERY loud audio
Covered: Yes, Rows N - Z all day ; all rows shaded by ~3:00PM
Numbered Seating: Yes
The Marina Grandstand is located in the Marina/ West Campus of the Miami Grand Prix with a view of turns 7, 8, and 9. This grandstand is very large with 3 massive sections (13 sub-sections) that extend about 30 rows up. All of the seats are metal benches - bringing a seat cushion is advisable! There is a screen across the track in the Yacht Club that is visible from the grandstand and the audio is LOUD, however, depending on where you are sitting it can be difficult to see or obscured by poles as you can see in the above photos. The lower you sit, the easier it is to see the screen, BUT you will not have shade for most of the day.
The Marina/West Campus area is very easy to access, as there is a circuit entrance directly next to the grandstand (Gate 5). Getting around the track in general is pretty easy with great signage and detailed maps. There is a food area and restrooms (port-a-potties) behind the grandstands including coffee, alcohol, and water refill stations. If you exit to the north of the grandstand you will enter West Campus which has a very large fan zone and MANY food options.
North Beach Grandstand
Big Screen: Yes, but it can be obstructed in lower rows. The audio is very loud to supplement.
Covered: Yes, rows N - DD ; shade up to row E by 4PM
Numbered Seating: Yes
The North Beach Grandstand is candidly the largest grandstand that I have seen (that is not a start/finish straight Grandstand). It is located all the way from Turn 11 - Turn 14 on the track - offering very different views depending on your section. This grandstand is about 30 rows in height and 17 sections in length, facing the Beach Club (where the screens and audio are located). These screens are very large but can be obscured by poles in the higher shaded rows OR by the track gates in the lower rows (I was in row B and had to stand to see the full screen). All of the seats are metal benches - bringing a seat cushion is advisable!
Based on where you sit, you will see different part of this "S" shaped series of turns. One thing is certain, though.... you WILL see action. Almost all of the overtakes and 'pushes off the track' occurred within turns 11- 14. If you want to see action? Sit in the North Beach Grandstand.
The Beach area/ East Campus is easy to access from Gate 14, but if you are entering through the main gates near the shuttles it is about a 10 - 15 minute walk (well labeled). In this area behind the grandstands as well as East Campus there are some of the best food and beverage options on the track including a food tent with fans, large TVs, audio, and padded seating. There were many drink brand activations and Red Bull activations in this section, as well. Restrooms and water refill stations were directly behind the center of the North Beach Grandstands.
South Beach Grandstand
Big Screen: Yes, but it's very far away and obstructed in section SB -1 and 2. There are speakers to supplement.
Covered: Yes, rows S - II (R has partial shade)
Numbered Seating: Yes
The South Beach Grandstand is a standard-sized grandstand along the straight leading into Turn 11 with a view of Turn 12. This grandstand is about 33 rows in height and 8 sections in length, facing the Beach Club (where the screens and audio are located) and North Beach Grandstand. These screens are very large but can be obscured by poles in the higher rows and VERY obstructed by a large tree in sections SB-1 and SB-2. All of the seats are metal benches - bringing a seat cushion is advisable!
You will also have a great view of the overtakes and set up for overtaking around turn 11 and into turn 12. This is the start of the view that people who sit in the North Beach Grandstand will have. The North Beach Grandstand is seen in a number of these pictures.
The Beach Area/ East Campus is easy to access from Gate 14, but if you are entering through the main gates near the shuttles it is about a 10 - 15 minute walk (well labeled). In this area behind the grandstands, as well as East Campus, there are some of the best food and beverage options on the track including a food tent with fans and padded seating. There were many drink brand activations and Red Bull activations in this section, as well. Restrooms and water refill stations were directly behind the center of the South Beach Grandstands and across the Turn 11 bridge behind the North Beach Grandstands.
Start/Finish Grandstand
Big Screen: Yes, partially obstructed in the higher rows ; There are speakers to supplement.
Covered: Yes, rows N - X
Numbered Seating: Yes
The Start/Finish Grandstand is a very long but not extremely tall grandstand with a view of the start/finish straight, paddock, and pits (pit stops)! You may even be able to see a number of celebrities who visit the paddock and grid for the race. There are 17 sections in the grandstand with only 24 rows, but unlike the other grandstands on the track, you will have an individual seat rather than sitting on a metal bench. There are screens in 2 locations on the paddock, so all sections will have a view of the screens and audio.
Once you get into the final rows of the Start/Finish Grandstand, some of the views of the screens are obstructed. You will still have a great view of the track and shade, but the poles and top of the cover may obstruct your view of the race feed. Also note that unlike other races, the podium is not in the paddock, so you will not have a view of the race podium.
The Start/Finish Grandstand is located in North Campus on the track. If you enter the track at the main gates to the South of the track it will be about a 20 minute walk around the entire track to reach your destination. However, there is a gate (Gate 19) that is behind the Start/Finish Grandstand. Most of the free shuttles to the circuit do not run to this side of the track, though. There are many food, beverage, and general concessions including water refill stations and restrooms directly behind the grandstand. You can also cross the Turn 19 bridge into the stadium to seek shade and other concessions!
Turn 1 Grandstand
Big Screen: Yes and there are speakers - all seats are non-obstructed
Covered: Yes from rows S - BB, although as the sun sets there will be more shaded rows
Numbered Seating: Yes
The Turn 1 Grandstand is located... you guessed it... along Turn 1 of the track! Depending on where you are seated, you will have a view of the end of the start/finish straight, exit of the pit lane, Turn 1, and even parts of Turn 2. From Sections T1-4 to T1-9 you will have a view of Turns 1 and 2, while in sections T1-1 to T1-3, your view will primarily be of the end of the straight and Turn 1. There are only 9 sections in this grandstand and just under 30 rows. The grandstand does continue upwards into the Turn 1 suites (featured later in this article). Unlike other grandstands, all seats have a view of a screen, barring the poles holding up the covering (but you can avoid these). These seats are also individual numbered seats, rather than long metal benches!
The Turn 1 Grandstand is located in the intersection of the Beach, East Campus, and North Campus on the track. If you enter the track at the main gates to the South of the track it will be about a 20 minute walk around the entire track to reach your destination. However, there is a gate (Gate 19) that is behind the Start/Finish Grandstand and very close to the Turn 1 Grandstand. Most of the free shuttles to the circuit do not run to this side of the track, though. There are many food, beverage, and general concessions including water refill stations and restrooms near the grandstand by the Start/Finish Grandstand. You can enter any of the nearby zones to get refreshments! This is a very well-placed grandstand for many concession options.
Turn 18 Grandstand
Big Screen: Yes, in the center of the grandstand. Sections 1-3 and 15-17 will struggle to see it. There is audio to supplement.
Covered: Yes, depending on the section. On average rows N and above were covered.
Numbered Seating: Yes
The Turn 18 Grandstand is a doosy of a grandstand to capture. It is comparable in size to the North Beach Grandstand with 17 sections and about 28 rows. However, depending on your seat you will have a dramatically different view of the track. In sections T18-1 - T18-4 you will have a view of the pit entrance, the end of the start/finish straight, and part of turn 18, but your screen view will be difficult because it is far away. In sections T18-5 - T18-12, your primary view is of the exit of turn 18 into the straight with a great view of the screen. In sections T18-13 - T18-17 you will have a complete view of Turn 18 and the pit entrance but no view of the straight due to the gate and you will likely not be able to see much of the screen.
Additionally, rows A-G provide less of a vantage point over the track, so you may want to sit higher up in all of the sections, as you can see in the picture above. These seats are also completely uncovered even as the sun sets. All seats, luckily, are individual and not metal benches. This section does extend higher above the general grandstand rows with suites (covered below).
The Turn 18 Grandstand is located in West Campus on the track. If you enter the track at the main gates to the South of the track it will be about a 15 minute walk around the entire track to reach your destination. If you enter through Gate 19 near the Start/ Finish Grandstand, it will be a 5 minute walk, but most of the free shuttles to the circuit do not run to this side of the track. There are many food, beverage, and general concessions including water refill stations and restrooms in West Campus as well as the nearby Marina.
Suites
While our team did not have access to many of the premium options, here are a few of the suites that are attached to grandstands!
Turn 18 Suites
Big Screen: Multiple small screens throughout
Covered: Yes, with fans as well
Numbered Seating: Yes, but many chose to stand behind their seats
The Turn 18 Grandstands have a section above them that serves as a premium seating option. If you would like to know the view of each of the sections, scroll up to the Turn 18 Grandstand description. However... that doesn't really matter because the covering of the grandstand obscures most of your track view. This is supplemented by a number of screens throughout the suite. Ticket-holders could choose to sit at tables in each of the sections, in the 3 rows that were at the front of the suites (above the final grandstand row) or near the bars and snack tables in the back. Ticket-holders could consume beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks for free with the price of this ticket.
Turn 1 Suites
Big Screen: Multiple small screens throughout
Covered: Yes with fans as well
Numbered Seating: Yes, but many chose to stand behind their seats
The Turn 1 Grandstands have a section above them that serves as a premium seating option. The Turn 1 Suite is identical to the Turn 18 Suite. If you would like to know the view of each of the sections, scroll up to the Turn 1 Grandstand description. However... that doesn't really matter because the covering of the grandstand obscures most of your track view. This is supplemented by a number of screens throughout the suite. Ticket-holders could choose to sit at tables in each of the sections, in the 3 rows that were at the front of the suites (above the final grandstand row) or near the bars and snack tables in the back. Ticket-holders could consume beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks for free with the price of this ticket.
We hope this guide is helpful!
If you want to hear more about the experience of the FanAmp Team on the track and how to do the Miami GP RIGHT, check out that article here! For tickets visit P1 Travel and to figure out what Pop-Ups, Fan Zones, and off the track activities are in Miami check out that guide.
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