Trackside at Yas Marina – 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Info & advice about the race program, facilities and trackside events at Yas Marina Circuit for F1 fans attending the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Yas Island Marina is a veritable playground for the F1 fanatic, adrenaline junkie and gastronome. In addition to the F1 circuit, the island complex also boasts a world-class marina rivaling Monaco for glamor, three huge theme parks (Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld & Warner Bros World), Du Arena for concerts, shopping, restaurants and more! Most of the on-track action takes place in the afternoon, leaving you with the morning to check out the rest of the island’s attractions.

Access & Orientation at Yas Marina Circuit

  • Seven access gates provide access to the circuit on the main access road which runs around the North and West of the circuit. Free shuttle buses run regularly between the entrances and provide easy access to all of the grandstands, marina, hotels, Etihad Park (where the concerts are held) and Ferrari World
  • To enter the Main Grandstand, you need to enter via Gate 14 and walk through the tunnel to the inside of the circuit and use Gate 16
  • Getting There & Around has more information about getting to Yas Marina circuit.

Prohibited Items at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

  • Alcohol, food and beverages (excluding baby food and medically required items)
  • Cooler boxes, picnic hampers, bottles, flasks or other food or beverage containers
  • Animals (except service animals)
  • Dangerous items such as firearms, knives or weapons (including imitations)
  • Fireworks, flares, lasers or balloons
  • Flags, banners or signs (with or without poles)
  • Commercial or promotional materials
  • Drones or similar aircraft
  • Musical instruments, sound amplifying devices, loudhailers, whistles, air horns
  • Professional film, photography, audio or broadcast equipment
  • Chairs, stools or seating devices
  • Prams, strollers, large articles not fitting under a seat
  • Rollerblades, skateboards, hoverboards, bicycles, scooters
  • Umbrellas and large backpacks
  • Illegal items or substances
  • Any items with the potential for injury, venue damage, public nuisance or offence at staff discretion

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Schedule

  • 2024 On-Track Timetable: The full on-track schedule for the 2024 has been confirmed by Formula 1 and is listed below.
  • 2024 Support Categories: Formula 2 will stage the last two races of its 2024 season at Yas Marina this year. Additional support categories include, for the first time, the all-female F1 Academy series and the FIA Formula 4 UAE Championship, which is a regular on the support schedule at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Sunset: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is F1’s only twilight race. Sunset on race weekend is at approximately 17:37 local time.

Friday, December 6

  • 09:30: Gates Open
  • 08:30-09:15: FIA Formula 4 UAE – Practice Session
  • 09:50-10:30: F1 Academy – Practice Session
  • 11:05-11:50: Formula  2 – Practice Session
  • 12:00-13:00: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
  • 12:30-13:00: Pirelli Hot Laps
  • 13:30-14:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)
  • 15:00-15:30: Formula 2 – Qualifying Session
  • 16:00-16:20: Al Fursan Air Display
  • 16:00-16:30: FIA Formula 4 UAE – Qualifying Session
  • 17:00-18:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)
  • 18:35-19:05: F1 Academy – Qualifying Session
  • 19:20-20:10: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk

Saturday, December 7

  • 11:30: Gates Open
  • 12:20-12:50: FIA Formula 4 UAE – First Race (25 minutes + 1 Lap)
  • 13:00-14:00: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
  • 13:30-14:00: Pirelli Hot Laps
  • 14:30-15:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)
  • 16:15-17:05: Formula 2 – Sprint Race (23 Laps or 45 minutes + 1 Lap)
  • 18:00-19:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying
  • 20:15-20:50: F1 Academy – First Race (14 Laps or 30 minutes + 1 Lap)
  • 21:00-21:45: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
  • 21:45-22:45: F1 Experiences – Pit Lane Walk & Trophy Photo

Sunday, December 8

  • 09:30: Gates Open
  • 09:55-10:25: FIA Formula 4 UAE – Second Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 Lap)
  • 11:25-12:00: F1 Academy – Second Race (14 Laps or 30 minutes + 1 Lap)
  • 12:15-12:45: Pirelli Hot Laps
  • 13:25-14:30: Formula 2 – Feature Race (33 Laps or 60 minutes + 1 Lap)
  • 14:45-15:45: Paddock Club – Pit Lane Walk
  • 15:00-15:30: Formula 1 Drivers’ Parade
  • 16:44-16:46: National Anthem
  • 16:46-16:48: Air Display – Etihad & Fly Past
  • 17:00-19:00: Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 (58 Laps or 2 hours)

Thursday Pit Lane Walk

A pit lane walk is normally held for all ticket holders on the Thursday of race weekend. The pit lane walk is not normally confirmed until a few weeks before the race. The pit lane walk has taken place from 11:00-14:00 in recent years. It is open to all 3-day ticket holders. (2-Day and 1-Day ticket holders are able to participate, but only after making an official merchandise purchase.) The F1 Main Fan Zone behind the Main Grandstand (as well as the West Oasis area) will be open from 10:00-21:00 on Thursday at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP. Details of the pit lane walk are not yet confirmed for 2024

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Yas Marina F1 Concerts

Concerts are held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at Etihad Park (previously Du Arena), which is located between the North Grandstand and Ferrari World. Built into the impressive southern “claw” of Ferrari World, the largest roofed structure on earth, Etihad Park is an impressive mainly outdoor concert venue with excellent facilities, including food trucks and bars serving alcohol.

Please note that the Yasalam concerts are held at Etihad Park and not at Etihad Arena, a larger concert venue a short walk south of the circuit, which can cause confusion for some fans. Gates to the concerts normally open at 18:00, but the main headline acts generally don’t come on until around 21:00. The concerts generally finish by around 23:00. To be able to access the concert venue, you’ll need to have your ticket scanned at an AskYAS information point within the circuit and collect a wristband. Gates to the Etihad Park concert zone are open from 18:00-00:30 on Thursday and 18:00-00:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Yas Island Theme Parks

Yas Island is home to three world-class theme parks. The best known among F1 fans is Ferrari World, located under a huge red roof with the famous prancing horse logo next to the track. 3 and 4-day ticket holders at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix receive complimentary 1-day access to a Yas Island theme park of their choice (valid from December 4-9)

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Based on our own experience, Ferrari World is worth checking out to ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster (Formula Rossa, which hits speeds of up to 240 km/hr and is amazing!) but pretty underwhelming otherwise, making it hard to justify the high ticket prices. There are some legendary Ferraris on display, but you can see equally awesome supercars everywhere in the UAE, and the rides, games, galleries and experiences will not keep you busy much beyond an hour or two. Your kids will probably disagree with our assessment. Open from 11:00-20:00 every day. Adult tickets from 310 AED. Learn More.

Yas Waterworld

Boasting 43 rides, slides and attractions, Yas Marina is a huge water park spread over 15 hectares on Yas Island. General Admission costs 240 AEd ($65) for those over 1.1m tall. Junior Admission for those under 1.1m tall is around 20% cheaper. Yas Waterworld is open from 10:00-19:00. Adult tickets from 270 AED. Learn More.

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi

The newest addition to Yas Marina is devoted to the characters of the famous Hollywood studio, including Looney Tunes, DC Comics & Hanna-Barbera. It contains 29 rides plus daily shows, restaurants, shops and other attractions. Open every day from 10:00-20:00. Adult tickets from 310 AED. Learn More.

Yas Marina

No visit to the Yas Marina circuit would be complete without a visit to the Marina itself. Monaco meets the Middle East as the rich and famous gather on superyachts and in exclusive bars and restaurants to watch the action. Incredibly, entrance is free on Grand Prix weekend (even if you don’t have an F1 ticket), though you can’t go too far without the right credentials. There’s even a small section of track where you can watch the action on the outside of turn 19 (between numbers 17 and 20 on this Yas Marina map).

Want to get your own sunset photos that the circuit is famous for? Head to the area outside the track (near the apex of turn 19) before the entrance to the Marina, and join the official photographers. There are some trees and a fence, but you can get uninterrupted shots. No F1 ticket required! Don’t forget that sunset is at around 17:30 local time (during FP2 on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday).

Yas Marina Circuit Facilities

Yas Marina is a modern circuit and the facilities are world class. There are several food and drink areas dotted around the circuit and close to the main spectator areas: North Oasis (close to the North Grandstand), West Oasis (next to the West Grandstand), South Oasis (between the Marina and South Grandstands) and the F1 Fanzone (behind the Main Grandstand).

Food and drink are reasonably priced (alcohol is available, but expensive) but the food selection is mostly limited to fast-food type options. Please note that guests are encouraged to use contactless forms of payment at the circuit. If you want a better selection of food you can head to the Yas Mall next to Ferrari World (affordable eats) or join the rich and famous at the eateries in Yas Marina (not so affordable eats).

39 thoughts on “Trackside at Yas Marina – 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix”

  1. Hi, if possible I would love to know where are the best spots to get closer to the drivers and teams (ex. Entrance and exit of the drivers and teams) in the circuit. And thanks in advance

    1. Hi Isra, I’m not sure for Yas Marina. I think it could be difficult at the track, as the driver’s enter the pits and paddock area directly via a tunnel.

  2. Brenda Peterson

    Good evening: could you please let me know the attire for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and F4 UAE?

    Thank you.

  3. Hi, I would like to know if there are any other areas where I can watch the F1 action without Grandstand access. I’m aware of the Abu Dhabi Hill & T19

    I have a ticket in the Paddock but I’d like to leave and watch from a General Admission kind of position.

      1. Thanks for the article! Would that section be crowded during the race? Could you watch on the other parts of the path leading up to that turn? Are visitors allowed to go to the w hotel during practice sessions and watch the cars from there?

        1. I think you will have to go and find out for yourself. The track layout did change last year, so I’m not 100% sure how the viewing areas or access look now. You can also try to get into the W Hotel, but again not sure how you will get on. For sure many parts of this hotel will be off-limits to non-guests and those without specific tickets.

  4. Hi, why can you only buy tickets for 2 people on the official YasMarina website? I just need one. What if, I buy one ticket from another seller? Would that cause a problem? Thank you

  5. Hi, does the Hill have access to the Fan Zone? If not, which Oasis does the Hill tickets have access to?
    Also, I have a 2-day ticket. Where can I purchase merchandise to get access to the Pit Walk and what time does the pit walk take place?

    1. Initial communications when tickets went on sale indicated that no, you wouldn’t get access to the main F1 Fanzone unless you had Main Grandstand tickets. But I think a lot of such restrictions were lifted. I’m pretty sure you will be able to enter – it’s very close to the Abu Dhabi hill, as well. And if you need to buy some merchandise on Thursday, I don’t see any issue with getting into the Fanzone on this day. Pit Lane Walk is from 11:45 – 14:45 on Thursday. Full schedule is here: https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2021/United_Arab_Emirates/Timetable.html

  6. Is it possible to walk from the North Grandstand to the Podium area after the race so we can watch (hopefully Max) celebrate?!?

    1. Yas Marina or Yas Marina Circuit? If it’s Yas Marina, that’s correct – not a race ticket. But there is a small section of the circuit where you can watch next to the Marina.

  7. Hi Andrew,
    I would like to buy tickets for the race at Abu Dhabi. When I click further on the Yas Marina website there is no option to choose seats. Do you know if choose seats is possible at all at the south grandstand? Thank you in advance

    1. That’s a question you’ll have to ask Yas Marina Circuit, I’m afraid. It used to be possible to choose zones (and I think also individual seats) via their website. It’s not possible to choose individual seats with our supplier, but you can request specific zones – and they will try to accommodate your request.

  8. Hi there, I’ll be attending in 2022 as a Yas Marina guest.
    I have been before and I know Yas Marina guests can access the fanzones, but can we also access Abu Dhabi hill?

  9. Darryl Kilgannon

    What is the best way to listen to commentary when in the grandstand watching the race? Do they have a radio station like at Silverstone and Le Mans? If so, does anyone know the frequency/band?
    Thanks

    1. Sorry I’m not aware of the race commentary being broadcast on radio at Yas Marina Circuit. The backup option is to have the paid version of the F1 app on your phone. That includes live timing and live commentary. Depending on where you are at the track, you may also have access to Wifi to be able to follow the action via the F1 app.

  10. Hi,
    I have tickets for Saturday & Sunday, North Grandstand Yas suite access. Would you be able to tell me what attire would be acceptable here or is it just whatever goes? Thanks!!
    Zoe

  11. any spots to get close to drivers and get them to sign and take pictures for yas marina circuit , please help

    1. It’s a little bit difficult at the circuit. The logical place to wait for autographs/pictures would be at the main entrance to the F1 Paddock, but this area is off limits to most fans.
      You can also try at the official “Fan Forum” – normally on Friday/Saturday – where the drivers get interviewed on the big stage and also meet the fans, but this is harder because you are competing with all the other fans. The only other advice I’d have is to walk around, check out the W Hotel inside the circuit – you may see some drivers arriving in the morning around there or leaving the circuit later at night. Also some of the teams and drivers stay at one of the four hotels near the circuit in this area, you may see them around here.

    1. You will need to be more specific about your question. When do you want to access the track? No fans at all can go on the track after the race in Abu Dhabi, if that’s what you are asking.

      1. Hi Andrew , this answer is not fully correct.

        There is a ticket category Main Grandstand Premiere Plus opposite
        of the Podium . After the race 1000 persons will be allowed on a
        first come , first serve to go for a race to the podium.
        At least this is published on the official website.

    1. Main benefit is the location, opposite the start/finish line and the pits. The main Fanzone is also behind the grandstand. You can go to the pit lane walk on Thursday, maybe you will meet drivers there. Otherwise, you also have driver appearances in the fanzone on Friday (and maybe Saturday).

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