Jenda Kubeš, Pexels Licence
Grandstand 26 — Pit Lane, Grid & Podium Views
The start/finish straight's premium seat: pit lane opposite, grid positions in front, podium dead centre.
Monza's start/finish straight is where the Italian GP is won and lost. Grandstand 26 — the Laterale Destra — sits directly opposite the pit lane on that straight, which means you see everything that matters: the grid build-up before lights out, pit stops played out in real time across the track, the race finish, and the podium ceremony. Not from a screen. From your seat.
The stand is divided into three sections. Section 26A puts you closest to the start line, opposite grid positions 7 to 14 — the mid-pack teams jostling for position. 26B moves you further back along the grid. 26C is the podium section: lower seat numbers here give you the best unobstructed view of the celebration on the circuit. If the podium is what you're there for — the trophy lift, the champagne, the Tifosi roar — 26C is your seat.
The stand faces east, which means it's shaded from midday onwards. That matters in early September when Monza can sit at 28–30°C through qualifying and race day. Rows D and E have roof support pillars that can clip sightlines — stick to rows A–C or the upper tiers to avoid them.
One thing to understand about Grandstand 26: it is the most sought-after reserved seat at Monza. Sections 26A and 26B sell out months before race weekend, typically before the end of the previous year. If you're reading this with the race six weeks away and haven't booked, 26A is gone through official channels. The secondary market and hospitality packages are your routes in.
The Fan Zone is a short walk from the stand. Food and drink vendors operate behind the seating. Gates A and B are the fastest entry route — 5 minutes from the main entrance.
Why it's special
At most F1 circuits, a grandstand seat means watching cars go past. Grandstand 26 is different. You're opposite the pit lane, which means you're watching the race operationally — pit stops played out across the track in real time, strategy unfolding before the commentators explain it. When a driver pits from the lead and comes out in traffic, you see it first.
And then there's the podium. Section 26C has the best view of the ceremony of any grandstand at Monza. When a Ferrari driver climbs it, the Tifosi around you lose all composure in the best possible way. At this circuit, with this crowd, the podium is not an afterthought. It's half the reason you came.
Insider tips
- 1
Book section 26C if the podium ceremony matters to you — it has the clearest sightline of any grandstand at Monza and is €414 cheaper than 26A for the same 3-day pass.
- 2
The stand faces east and gets shade from midday onward — bring sunscreen for the morning session but you won't need it by race start on Sunday afternoon.
Practical info
- Hours
- Gates open 08:00 on race days; qualifying from 15:00 Saturday; race start ~15:00 Sunday
- Cost
- €594–€1,008 for a 3-day pass (26C to 26A); 26A sold out through official channels
- Access
- Book 3-day passes via f1italy.com — check availability for 26B/C or join the waitlist for 26A.
- Getting there
- Take S8, S9 or S11 train from Milano Porta Garibaldi (20 mins) to Biassono-Lesmo Parco, then the Black Line shuttle bus or a 20-minute walk through Parco di Monza to the circuit gates. Allow 90 minutes from Milan city centre to your seat on race day.
- Address
- Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Viale Vedano 5, 20900 Monza MB, Italy
What to avoid
Avoid rows D and E in all three sections — roof support pillars obstruct your view of the pit lane. And don't arrive after 09:30 on race day; the walk from Biassono-Lesmo through Parco di Monza gets very crowded. Choose rows A–C or the upper tier when booking.
