Partenza 1-4

Viewing Description

The Partenza grandstands located at the start/finish line are premium seating for a reason — the view is unmatched. You’ll be able to view drivers and teams on the starting grid, watch the checkered flag drop, and have premier viewing on the post-race awards ceremony. The grandstands are located directly across from pit lane which means you are able to peer into the hive of activity of pit crews in action all weekend long. The first turn is within view but it’s not a typical corner that will provide the dramatic turn 1 action found on other circuits. Instead, it’s a wide sweeping bend towards the Tamburello chicane (turn 2) which is out of site due to trees on the track interior. Depending on the grandstand, drivers existing the Rivazza corner complex at turn 19 may be viewable as they accelerate through turn 20 towards the start/finish line.

Other Considerations

• The grandstands are permanent installations but Grandstand 1 offers different seating from the other three. Grandstand 1 has stadium seats with back supports. The others however, suffer from cramped seating my partner and I derided as “butt cups” (see Tosa information below for further details). To be blunt, the seats are narrow and uncomfortable.
• Grandstands 1 and 2 are covered which means that neither the hot Italian sun or a sporadic rain shower will spoil your weekend. (Grandstands 3 and 4 are not covered but otherwise offer similar viewing and access experiences.) Seating at the front of the grandstands will be shaded, but may not have full coverage in a wet weather event.
• The Fan zone is located directly behind these grandstands providing easy access to food vendors, washrooms, water stations, and all the other activities going on throughout the weekend such as driver interviews, music, exhibitions, and entertainment.
• The primary track entrance — Ingresso Dante — is nearby providing easy access and exit to the grandstands. This is also the most direct path from the Imola city center. Expect heavy foot traffic from the majority of attendees to pass through this zone.

Villeneuve 1-2

Viewing Description

The Villeneuve grandstands are located on a short straight between two high-speed chicanes — Tamburello and Villeneuve. Both chicanes were introduced to the layout in 1995 to address safety concerns after multiple high speed crashes the prior year claimed the lives of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. The grandstands offer great views of wheel-to-wheel action as drivers jockey for positions on the exit of the first chicane and prepare for late-breaking charges into the next.

Other Considerations

• The grandstands are temporary and offer regular-sized stadium seating with seat backs in comparison to the permanent grandstands found elsewhere around the track which are cramped in both width and depth. (See the gallery below for visual references.)
• These grandstands are on the south side of the track so while they’re uncovered, the Italian sun will largely be at your back rather than in your face throughout the weekend.
• This seating area is situated near the Ayrton Senna monument due to it’s proximity to the sweeping Tamburello corner (now a chicane) where his fatal accident occurred. It also is near the north entrance to the Parco delle Acque Minerali park which is a great place to stretch out and relax throughout the weekend.

Tosa

Viewing Description

The Tosa grandstands are grouped as a single unit for booking but actually split into a smaller section at the apex of the corner and larger section slightly further south. The smaller northern section is the better of the two options because it enables a full view of both entry and exit to the corner whereas the larger sourthern section may have limited visibility of the Villeneuve chicane exit and Tosa corner entry. Looking straight ahead, you’re able to observe drivers manage the exit of the chicane (or miss it and head wide into the gravel) and then dive into a tight, low-speed corner which is ripe for setting up passes directly into front of the grandstands. Drivers exit the corner with maximum acceleration towards turn 8 and 9 further up the hillside.

Other Considerations

• The grandstands are permanent installations and therefore suffer from cramped seating my partner and I derided as “butt cups”. They are narrow in all directions which can be uncomfortable unless you and your immediate neighbours are sporting smaller frames (check out the gallery below for a few references).
• Located at the west end of the circuit and facing east/north-east, the grandstands face the sun early in the day and are fully exposed until late afternoon.
• This seating location features site-specific washrooms (trailers), food and drink vendors, and a water station. All of this is located within the gated area which limits usage of the facilities to Tosa grandstand ticket holders only. This results in shorter lines (or none depending on the day and your gender — ladies get the shorter line for once 🤣) and the washroom trailers may be a step above the portables found elsewhere.
• The Ingresso Tosa (entrance/exit) is nearby providing easy entrance/exit for the Tosa grandstand, Prato Tosa hillside, and potentially the 5th Acque Minerali grandstand (if it’s active in future years). On race day, the Tosa exit is certainly ideal at the end of the day to avoid being herded through the main exit and into the main north-south rode through the city with a majority of other attendees. (If you’re sticking around for a while then by all means, take the main exit and enjoy Imola as the post-race crowd dissipates!)

Prato Tosa

Viewing Description

The Prato Tosa uses the hillside to create a specialized general admission area with “natural grandstands” in the form of person-sized terraces to provide upright seating. As with any GA area, arrive early to claim your space! The most desirable area is on the west end nearest the Tosa grandstands. From that location you’ll see drivers lining up targets for a potential pass around Tosa corner and then exit the corner with maximum acceleration towards turn 8 and 9 further up the hillside. The interior of the corner contains old outbuildings and trees limiting views of the Villeneuve chicane exit. The primary draw of this area is it’s lower price (compared to the grandstands), elevated seating, and being a part of the Tifosi.

Other Considerations

• The Prato Tosa is one of two special GA areas around the circuit that blend a “grandstand-lite” experience with non-reserved “seating” (Prato Rivazza is the other).
• The hillside is exposed to the sun but is northward facing. Spectators will only be looking towards the sun in the early part of the day as they watch cars climb the hill on the exit from the Tosa corner.
• The Ingresso Tosa (entrance/exit) is nearby providing easy entrance/exit for the Tosa grandstand, Prato Tosa hillside, and potentially the 5th Acque Minerali grandstand (if it’s active in future years). On race day, the Tosa exit is certainly ideal at the end of the day to avoid being herded through the main exit and into the main north-south rode through the city with a majority of other attendees. (If you’re sticking around for a while then by all means, take the main exit and enjoy Imola as the post-race crowd dissipates!)

Acque Minerali 1-4

Viewing Description

The Acque Minerali grandstands are split into 4 sections with 1 and 4 being the most desirable because these two are nestled into the corner whereas grandstands 2 and 3 are further from the possible passing zones as the drivers exit the corners and speed toward the Gresini chicane. Grandstand 4 is particularly good because of it’s wide viewing angle which provides a a full viewing of drivers on the approach and the exit. Grandstand 1 is a close second in preference, but 2 and 3 are more limited due to the trees lining the exit straight reducing visibility as drivers climb the exit straight.

Other Considerations

• Grandstands 1, 2, and 3 are permanent installations and therefore suffer from cramped seating my partner and I derided as “butt cups” (see Tosa information for further details). To be blunt, the seats are narrow and uncomfortable. Grandstand 4 gets a special mention because it’s a temporary grandstand utilizing modern stadium seating with chair backs.
• Seating is on the north side of the track facing south which results in full sun exposure for the entire day unless you’re seated right up near the back in which case you may get some overhead shade from the trees. Once again, Grandstand 4 is special because it’s receives more overhead shade from the trees than the others. (Early birds will stake out a spot under these grandstands for a similar view trading reserved seating for the benefit of the ample shade provided by the grandstands overhead.)
• There aren’t any site-specific washrooms or food and drink vendors in this area. The straight between Acque Minerali and the Gressini chicane is a high traffic GA area and the facilities are meant to serve everyone equally so expect to use portables and longer lines at the vendors.
• This area is most directly reached from the main Ingresso Dante entrance/exit by heading through the Fanzone and marching up the hill. It’s proximity to the Fanzone means there is ample access to food vendors, water stations, and entertainment throughout the weekend. It’s also adjacent to the Parco delle Acque Minerali which is a great area to stretch your legs and take a nap in the shade between events during the race weekend.

Gresini 1-2

Viewing Description

The Gresini grandstands are split into two sections. The first is on the exit of the chicane and the second a bit further down the straight. Both provide a close up view of the chicane but are otherwise limited in the amount of viewable track. As the drivers move up the hill, sight lines are blocked by the trees and a high barrier on the inside of the turn 15. The second grandstand can see a bit further down the entry straight but not by much. Both sections can view the exit straight towards turn 17 but the elevation drops into the last few corners and the cars disappear over the near horizon and out of view.

Other Considerations

• The grandstands are temporary and thus offer regular-sized seats in comparison to the permanent grandstands found elsewhere around the track which are cramped in both width and depth (see the Tosa grandstands description for more details).
• Seating is on the south side of the track facing north so while they’re uncovered, the Italian sun will largely be at your back rather than in your face throughout the weekend.
• The closest entrance/exit is the Ingresso Rivazza to the north-east. With the grandstands located on the outer, far side of the track, they can feel isolated from the rest of the circuit and other attendees. This results in lower crowd density in the immediate area but comes at the cost of being far away from the Fanzone, the park, and any other event attractions throughout the weekend.

Rivazza 2

Viewing Description

The Rivazza 2 grandstands are are grouped as a single unit for booking but actually split into two, side-by-side sections between the sweeping downhill turn 17 and a tight low-speed 90 degree turn into the famous Rivazza corner. The view is quite restricted from this location due to trees on the south side of the track and the bridge which crosses overhead at turn 17. You’ll hear the cars coming before they explode into view from under the bridge for potential passing opportunities heading into turn 18. Seated at the top of the grandstands, you’ll be able to see across sections of the Prato Rivazza to the exit of turn 19 but from a lower vantage point, the viewing will be limited to your immediate surroundings.

Other Considerations

• The grandstands are permanent installations and therefore suffer from cramped seating my partner and I derided as “butt cups” (see Tosa information for further details). To be blunt, the seats are narrow and uncomfortable.
• Seating is on the south side of the track facing north so while they’re uncovered, the Italian sun will largely be at your back rather than in your face throughout the weekend.
• The closest entrance/exit is the Ingresso Rivazza just south of this area. These grandstands are less isolated than Gresini. The bridge over turn 17 grants easy access to the infield and all of the provided entertainment options throughout the weekend.

Prato Rivazza

Viewing Description

‘Prato’ means ‘lawn’ in Italian and Prato Rivazza fits the description more so that the Prato Tosa on the opposite end of the circuit. There is a small hill in the center but the elevation change isn’t large. From the peak of this hill, you’ll have viewing opportunities in all directions but at a distance. Moving towards the track will bring the action closer, but prevent viewing in the opposite direction. The primary draw of this area is it’s lower price and the atmosphere of being surrounded by and a part of the *Tifosi*.

Other Considerations

• Treat it like GA and you won’t be disappointed. Bring your own chair or a large blanket to share between race events through the weekend. Your legs will thank you!
• The viewing direction differs depending on where you take up residence. Either way, the whole area is fully exposed to the sun so bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat to ward off the summer Italian sun and be prepared for the mud if showers set in.
• The closest entrance/exit is the Ingresso Rivazza south of this area (across the turn 17 bridge), but the primary entrance (Ingresso Dante) isn’t that much further to the west either. The Fanzone is nearby, located behind of the Partenza grandstands.

Rivazza 1

Viewing Description

The Rivazza 1 grandstands make use of the elevated hillside with “built-in” grandstand seating. The seating is actually built into the side of the hill but unlike Prato Tosa, there are actual rows and numbered seating like a traditional grandstand. The grandstand wraps around the hillside with the eastern half getting a better view of the Rivazza corner complex (turns 18 & 19) and the drivers accelerating towards the start/finish line. The western half is directly across from the pit entrance and has a good view of the straight. However, both are too far from the actual pit lane action to consider it a perk without binoculars or other optics to get a closer view. If something is happening in the pits, you’ll likely get a better view from the nearby TV screen than directly viewing the pits.

Other Considerations

• The grandstands are permanent installations and therefore utilize the “butt cups” discussed elsewhere (see Tosa description). The saving grace here is that the hillside construction isn’t as steep as normal grandstands which results in far more legroom between rows. There is plenty of space to stretch your legs and this makes the narrow width far more tolerable.
• Seating is on the south side of the track facing north so while they’re uncovered, the Italian sun will largely be at your back rather than in your face throughout the weekend
• There aren’t any site-specific washrooms or food and drink vendors in this area. The grandstand is situated between Prato – Rivazza and Partenze which also serves as a well-traveled GA area. The facilities nearby are meant to serve everyone equally so expect to use portables and longer lines at the vendors. The Fanzone is nearby however and is a better option between the on-track events.
• The closest entrance/exit is the Ingresso Rivazza just south of this area (across the turn 17 bridge), but the primary entrance (Ingresso Dante) isn’t that much further to the west either. The Fanzone is nearby as well, located behind of the Partenza grandstands.

General Admission (Circolare)

Viewing Description

Large sections of the track are accessible for GA spectators. The view is dependent on where you are located around the circuit. The best viewing locations are usually staked out by early arrivals and require a real commitment to stay in place to maintain that position (or friendly short-term neighbours which are plentiful 😉). Even the best views are generally going to be up against a fence with limited sight lines — either due to ground level elevation or other spectators around you. However, it’s still a great low-price way to experience a race weekend and provides maximum mobility if you prefer to view events from many different locations throughout the weekend.

Other Considerations

• Bring a chair or a blanket to rest your weary legs between on-track events. Your legs will thank you!
• Many of the GA areas are shaded which is a nice reprieve from the Italian sunshine, but if it rains, be prepared for many of these areas to be a swampy mess.