But, for an average Indian Formula One enthusiast it’s difficult to determine which ticket to buy given the variety of stands and prices. Most Indian sports lovers are familiar buying tickets for Cricket matches. In cricket, it’s fairly simply. there’s a circular stadium, if you have enough cash, go for Pavilion tickets else try to get the tickets of the opposite end or adjoining stands. In short, try to sit as straight as possible in relation to the pitch.
With Formula One, it’s a different thing altogether. You need to take into account various fundamentals like…the view that you’ll be getting of the track, the angle, the elevation, will the cars slow down or accelerate, is it a good overtaking spot and many more things.
Below, I’ve given a table that comprise of all the stands at Buddh Circuit, with their price and also, I’ve rated all the stands based on their price and the view you’ll be getting from your seat. Before checking out the table, check out the pros and cons of every stand and then decide for yourself, which stand you’d want to shell out your money on.
Grand Stand: This is the pavilion equivalent of F1 track. It’s the most expensive seat giving you a great view of the start/finish straight. You get to see the starting grid and the chequered flag. Between the start and finish, you’ll only see the cars zipping past at 300+ kmph and very little overtaking on the straights. Real racing happens at the corners, not on the straights. Tickets are too expensive. Biggest worry is, for some reason map on the site shows pit at Turn 4 and not along the start/finish straight. Must be an error, I’m supposing.
Classic Stand1 West: It lies just between turns14 and 15. Turn 14 sets the tone for an excellent overtaking opportunity hence this stretch may provide some really interesting action. Possibility of many overtakes. But, if you don’t get seat in the middle, the far end of the stand may not give you a good view.
Classic Stand 2 West: Lies between turns 15 and 16. Will hardly get to see any action as most cars will only zip by. One of the most boring stands.
Classic Stand North: Situated at turn 3, this stand is going to see some exciting action. Turn 3 being a hairpin, cars are bound to slow down to 2nd & 3rd gear and one can get a much better view of the cars/drivers. Also, the parabolic turn 2 may give an overtaking opportunity at the end of turn 3. Make sure you get your seat as close to the turn 3 as possible. If you get your seat the other end, you’ll only see cars accelerating and getting lost in the horizon at the far end of the straight.
Picnic Stand North: This stand is for all the hardcore F1 fans. It sits right inside the parabola of turn 2 and extends till the apex of turn 1 and turn 3. This stand will probably see the most exciting action. Most no. of overtakes. Might even see few crashes at the first corner of the first lap. Having said that, fact remains, Indian crowd is not habituated with Picnic stands. There’s a reason why in India we don’t keep Picnic stands even in cricket stadiums like South Africa and Australia. Unless you’re going with a big group of friends, try to avoid this stand. This is the first GP and no one knows how the crowd will behave in a stand with no seats and lots of grass and no one knows about the no. of tickets to be sold for this stand and given the money making mentality there are chances this place could be cramped. Also, back packs are not allowed inside, so forget about getting picnic basket, mattress and pillow.
Star Stand 1 East: Situated at the start of turn 4 and at the end of back straight, one is going to see some fast speed and hard braking at turn 4.
Star Stand 2 East: It’s a tiny stand situated at the apex of turn 4 and you get really small view of the track, only compensation is that the incoming cars will slow down significantly at turn 4 and can get a mildly clear view of the cars. Not recommended unless the map is correct and the stand sits exactly opposite the pitlane, unlikely.
Star Stand 3 East: Situated at the exit of the turn 4, you’ll get to hear the growl of accelerating V8s when they exit turn 4 but won’t provide enough excitement for the amount you’re paying for it.
Classic Stand 1 East: Either this will be the most boring or the most exciting stand based on the correctness of the map. Former possibility is more likely though. If the map stands correct and the pit lane is actually at turn 4 then you’ll be able to see wheel-to-wheel racing when the cars come out of the pits and fight for position with cars coming down from back straight.
Classic Stand 2 East: As boring Classic Stand 1 East is, equally if not more interesting Classic Stand 2 East is. Turns 6 and 7 almost flows into this stand and being perched parallel to the track between T7 & T8, one gets excellent view of the track and spectators are bound to see some really exciting action in this part of the track.
Natural Stand South: Cheapest stand of the circuit. Worth buying it if you’re not a big F1 fan and going there just for the heck of it. Won’t get to see much interesting action. It’s close to track but not much overtaking is slated to take place here, wars won’t slow down either. Again, being just a grass hill, getting a decent place is going to be an issue. Not recommended for families, in my opinion. Since it’s the cheapest stand and in Delhi, expect mummy, daddy, chintu, pinky, tau and nanni in the crowd.
Premium South Stand: Can describe the stand in 3 words: Waste of Money. People who’re wants to watch F1 in comfort but can’t afford 35k for the Grand Stand will be buying Premium South tickets. There’s no doubt about the comfort and A class service the people will be getting but true F1 experience will be lost in this. All you get to see is a fast right hand turn with close to 0 overtakes.
Picnic Stand South: One of the best stand on the circuit. Turns 11, 12, 13 & 14 almost wraps around this stand. Grass Banking is bound to give classic F1 style entertainment. One will witness lots of overtaking and exciting wheel-to-wheel racing.
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Stand
|
Facilities
|
Price
|
Price Points
|
Value for view
|
Total Points
|
||
|
C
|
TV
|
S
|
|||||
|
Grand Stand
|
☺
|
☺
|
☺
|
35000
|
1
|
9.5
|
11
|
|
Classic Stand1 West
|
☺
|
☺
|
6500
|
8.25
|
8
|
16.25
|
|
|
Classic Stand 2 West
|
☺
|
☺
|
6500
|
8.25
|
6
|
14.25
|
|
|
Classic Stand North
|
☺
|
☺
|
6500
|
8.25
|
8.5
|
16.75
|
|
|
Picnic Stand North
|
☺
|
6000
|
8.50
|
9.5
|
18
|
||
|
Star Stand 1 East
|
☺
|
☺
|
8500
|
7.50
|
7.5
|
15
|
|
|
Star Stand 2 East
|
☺
|
☺
|
8500
|
7.50
|
7
|
14.5
|
|
|
Star Stand 3 East
|
☺
|
☺
|
8500
|
7.50
|
8
|
15.5
|
|
|
Classic Stand 2 East
|
☺
|
☺
|
6500
|
8.25
|
8.5
|
16.75
|
|
|
Classic Stand 1 East
|
☺
|
☺
|
6500
|
8.25
|
6.5
|
14.25
|
|
|
Premium Stand South
|
☺
|
☺
|
☺
|
12500
|
6.50
|
7
|
13.5
|
|
Picnic Stand South
|
☺
|
6000
|
8.50
|
9.5
|
18
|
||
|
Natural Stand South
|
☺
|
2500
|
10.00
|
7
|
17
|
||
*price point is calculated based on a complex inaccurate calculation taking into account the most and the least expensive ticket