Access, orientation, on-track schedule and tips for F1 fans attending the 2024 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail Circuit
- The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled on November 29-December 1
- This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links
- Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix
- Grandstand & hospitality packages are now available via F1 Experiences
- Images © F1Destinations.com. The Editor attended the 2021 & 2023 Qatar Grands Prix.
Following Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup for football in late 2022, Lusail Circuit returned to the F1 calendar in 2023 for the second edition of the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix. The first race at the circuit was held during the COVID-impacted 2021 F1 season, but a larger number spectators were in attendance at the 2023 Qatar GP. Ahead of Formula 1’s return, a brand new pits and hospitality building was constructed at the circuit. The Main Grandstand at Lusail has capacity for 7,500 fans and with additional temporary grandstands and general admission areas, up to 52,000 fans are able to attend the race.
Temperatures during the day during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix weekend reached as high as 40°C (104°F). Temperatures fell to around 30°C after dark, but with uncomfortably high humidity. The early part of the race week saw windy conditions, which provided some respite from the heat, but race day was calm. Several drivers battled health problems during the race due to the extreme heat, including Williams driver Logan Sargeant, who was forced to retire. Needless to say, conditions for spectators were equally difficult, especially in uncovered grandstands and in the Fanzone, which didn’t have a lot of shade.
Luckily the race moves to a new date at the end of the season in 2024. Temperatures should be much milder in Qatar in late November, but always remember to bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if you are planning to arrive earlier in the day. Sunset on race weekend at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix is at around 16:45. If you are lucky to be watching the race from a trackside hospitality suite, air-conditioning can make it feel quite cool, so it’s worth bringing along a light jumper or scarf.
Access & Orientation at Lusail Circuit
- More information about getting to the track: How to Get to Lusail Circuit – 2024 Qatar Grand Prix
- The main entrance gate and parking areas at Lusail Circuit are located behind the Main Grandstand. Information about gates, parking and entrances conditions (allowed/prohibited items) have not yet been published by the organizers, though a limited number of free parking spaces will be available at the circuit.
Qatar Grand Prix: Entry & Prohibited Items
From the ticketing terms & conditions published via the circuit, the list of prohibited items at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix is published below. (TBC for 2024)
You must not bring to the Venue or seek entry to the Venue while in possession of: (a) bottles, cans, glass vessels or your own food and drink (unless permitted by the Venue Regulations); (b) illegal substances or any article that might be used or interpreted as a weapon and/or compromise public safety or enjoyment of the Event including knives, bladed items, fireworks, smoke canisters, personal protection sprays, air-horns, vuvuzelas, whistles, flares, firearms, ammunition, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items; (c) drones or similar equipment, phone jammers, radio scanners, walkie-talkies, laser devices, selfie sticks; (d) bicycles, roller-skates, skateboards, scooters, prams; (e) items which could in the option of the Promoter be used to sabotage or damage property; or (f) items of a political, religious or other similar nature or items bearing offensive slogans or messages.
2024 Qatar Grand Prix Schedule
- 2024 On-Track Timetable: The full on-track programme will not be published until around 4-6 weeks before the race. F1 session times have been confirmed for 2024 and are listed below. Sunset in Doha on race weekend 2024 is at approximately 16:45. Times listed are local, which is UTC+3.
- Sprint Race Format: Lusail will again be one of six circuits to host F1’s sprint race format in 2024.
- Support Categories: Both Formula 2 and the all-female F1 Academy will be in action this year in Qatar
- Thursday Pit Lane Walk: This was held on Thursday afternoon for 3-day ticket holders at the 2023 Qatar GP. Details haven’t been confirmed yet for 2024.
Friday, November 29
- 14:00: Circuit Gates Open (TBC)
- 16:30-17:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1
- 20:30-21:14: Formula 1 Sprint Shootout
- 22:00: Circuit Gates Close (TBC)
Saturday, November 30
- 14:00: Circuit Gates Open (TBC)
- 16:00-16:30: Formula 1 – Sprint
- 20:00-21:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying
- 22:00: Circuit Gates Close (TBC)
Sunday, December 1
- 15:00: Circuit Gates Open (TBC)
- 17:50-18:20: Formula 1 Drivers’ Parade (TBC)
- 19:46-19:48: National Anthem (TBC)
- 20:00-22:00: Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024 (57 laps or 2 hours)
- 23:00: Circuit Gates Close (TBC)
Fanzone
The Fanzone at Lusail Circuit is located behind the Main Grandstand and near the primary circuit entrance and parking. It will be home to static and interactive F1 displays, merchandise, food and drink stalls. Alcohol will not be served in the Fanzone or in any public areas of the circuit during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, with the exception of hospitality suites (Paddock Club, Premiere Hospitality, Club 16 and the Lusail Lounge.) The Fanzone at Lusail Circuit is open to all ticket holders.
Trackside Concerts
In line with other races in the Middle East, the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix featured concerts on a special stage outside the fanzone each evening. Egyptian artist Amr Diab performed on Friday evening, Swedish DJ Alesso played after Saturday’s Sprint race and Bruno Mars was scheduled to be the headline act after the Grand Prix on Sunday. Unfortunately, Bruno Mars had to cancel due to unforseen circumstances, and was replaced by DJ. Snake.
The concerts take place in an area around 10-15 minutes walk away from the Fanzone. Gates for the concert area open approx. 30 minutes after the end of the day’s on-track action, and the concerts begin approx. 30 minutes later (1 hour after the end of the on-track action).
I take it there aren’t going to be any trackside concerts? Feels like they’ve left it very late to make any announcements?
There are supposed to be concerts with big-name and local artists, but you are right. I’m surprised we still haven’t had any announcements.
there are concerts.
Yes, more info here: https://f1destinations.com/2023-qatar-grand-prix-bruno-mars-alesso-amr-diab-headline/
Which tickets get access to entry the track after racing, during the award ceremony? To see podium
To be confirmed if there will be a track invasion. If there will be, I think it will be open to all ticket holders
Any update on this? Will fan be able to go down to the track after the race?
Sorry I wasn’t able to reply, I was working at the race and it was really tough! As you know now, there is no track invasion in Qatar
Hi Andrew, do we know if
there will be a pitlane walk on Thursday for 3 day ticket holders?
Nothing has been announced, so I would say no.
F1 Experiences does have a pit lane walk on Thursday night, but only for their guests
Can’t 3 day ticket holders access the pit lane before the sprint shootout on Saturday ?
Sorry for the slow reply, I was working at the race and had no time to respond. There was a pit lane walk for 3-day ticket holders on Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, the only guests who could do a pit lane walk each day were those in the Paddock Club hospitality.
I must say the Thursday Pitlane Walk was probably the worst organization I have ever seen at any race. Thankfully it was all much better over the weekend from Friday to Sunday with a very efficient Shuttle Bus system from Track to Metro Station.
But Thursday, standing in front of closed gates, getting shuffled around from gate to gate and finally open the gates at 15:00 – 1h after the official start of advertised Pitlane Walk – was just bad.
I hope they learn from it for 2024 and will have the same great organization like over the weekend this year.
You should have contacted me, I was there and most of the weekend I was moving guests/staff from one place to another with golf carts. Agreed that Thursday was particularly bad with entrance gates not open and security not knowing where to go. Where did you sit for the race?
Hi Andrew, will keep it in mind for next time. :)
The free water distribution was nice, but also utterly necessary in this heat.
To be honest, I think to go back in 2024, as the weekend itself was nice. 2024 is in December which means cooler temperatures and F2 will also support the F1 weekend.
I sat the whole weekend at T2 Grandstand which is split in two stands, one facing T1 / T2 and one facing to T3 and the infield next to T3 Grandstand, which was the better one.
Considering going North Grandstand next year as it was free seating and sitting up high might be nice.
@ Andrew Balfour
Do you know if the general admission 3 day and or grandstand tickets will grant access to a Thursday piutlane walk, as F1 experiences is stating it is exclusive to their ticket holders , we are flying over this year to visit friends and attend..
I expect there will be two pit lane walks, like last year. One is for regular ticket holders (3-day GA or grandstands), the other is only for F1 Experiences guests
Hi, does anybody know how strict the dress code is for the Qatar grand prix? Would me and my husband be ok to wear shorts? We have seen and read conflicting articles.
You should be fine wearing shorts, though obviously not too short.