Qatar 2024 Grand Prix: Ultimate Guide
By: Sasha Broadhead
With only two races until the Formula 1 arrives in Doha, now is the perfect time to release the ultimate guide to the Qatar Grand Prix. The race weekend can be confusing, so this guide is designed to help navigate any questions you may have about the weekend, from choosing the best ticket type to what to expect from this year’s race.
The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix will fall between the 29th November and the 1st December. The schedule is as follows:
29th November: Practice 1(16:30-17:30) and Sprint Qualifying (20:30-21:14)
30th November: Sprint Race (17:00-18:00) and Qualifying (21:00-22:00)
1st December: Grand Prix (19:00)
The Lusail Circuit was originally designed for MotoGP, featuring high speed corners and one main long straight (over 1km) that provides plenty of overtaking opportunities. Only two Formula 1 races have been held at the Lusail Circuit so far: Hamilton won the first race in 2021, and Verstappen the second in 2023. There was a one year hiatus in 2022 due to Qatar hosting the World Cup.
This year’s race does not follow the typical format of three practice sessions, followed by Qualifying and then the Race. The Lusail Circuit has been chosen as the sixth and final destination for the Sprint race format. Introduced in 2021 to ensure to ensure the excitement lasts throughout the weekend, the Sprint is a shorter race, covering 100km and lasting about 30 minutes with no mandatory pit stops. During a Sprint weekend, Sprint Qualifying replaces FP2 (Free Practice Session 2), and the Sprint replaces FP3. Points are awarded to the first 8 cars to complete the Sprint. The Sprint results generally have little impact on the Grand Prix, except in two specific circumstances. Grid penalties that cannot be served immediately are carried over to the next race, usually the Grand Prix. If a severe crash requires a driver to change the chassis, he must start the race from the pit lanes – this happened to Sergio Perez at the Qatar Grand Prix in 2023.
The Lusail track seems likely to favour Red Bull, particularly if their recent upgrades made over the break prove successful. Meanwhile Ferrari may face challenges, with Carlos Sainz admitting after the Austin race that Qatar will be a “bogey track” for their cars. However, as demonstrated in 2021 and 2023, the mental and physical resilience of the drivers will be crucial due to the challenging track conditions and the heat. We will have to wait and see whether Verstappen maintains his lead in the Driver’s Championship and McLaren in the Constructor’s Championship.
There are three types of ticket available:
- Fan zone and general admission
- Grandstands (T16 Grandstand, Main Grandstand, North Grandstand, T2 Grandstand, T3 Grandstand)
- Hospitality (Premiere Hospitality, Lusail Lounge, Paddock Club, Club 16)
While several ticket types have already sold out due to high demand, here is a list of remaining tickets, their prices and inclusions to help you choose the best option.
Ticket type: General Admission
View: Ticket holders can expect access to Lusail Hill which provides views of the end of turn 1 and several viewing platforms around the circuit
Price: A single day pass starts from QR 200 pp, a 3 day pass is QR 600 pp
Key features:
- Access to free seating within General Admission zone
- Entrance to the F1 Fan Village with entertainment and activities for adults and children
- Access to the food court, which includes a variety of Arabic and international cuisine
- Entry to the post-race F1 concerts
- Access to F1 and local merchandise
- Complimentary return shuttle between Lusail Metro Station and the Circuit
Ticket type: T2 Grandstand
View: Offers views of the inside of turn 2
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 1,000 pp
Key features:
- Entrance for all three days of the event
- Access to the free seating within T2 Grandstand
- Entrance to the F1 Fan Village with entertainment and activities for adults and children
- Access to the food court, which includes a variety of Arabic and international cuisine
- Entry to the post-race F1 concerts
- Access to F1 and local merchandise
- Complimentary return shuttle between Lusail Metro Station and the Circuit
Ticket type: T3 Grandstand
View: Offers views of the action coming from T2 and T3
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 1,000 pp
Key features:
- Entrance for all three days of the event
- Access to the free seating within T3 Grandstand
- Entrance to the F1 Fan Village with entertainment and activities for adults and children
- Access to the food court, which includes a variety of Arabic and international cuisine
- Entry to the post-race F1 concerts
- Access to F1 and local merchandise
- Complimentary return shuttle between Lusail Metro Station and the Circuit
Ticket type: T16 Grandstand
View: Overlooks Turn 16
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 1,000 pp
Key features:
- Entrance for all three days of the event
- Access to the free seating within T16 Grandstand
- Entrance to the F1 Fan Village with entertainment and activities for adults and children
- Access to the food court, which includes a variety of Arabic and international cuisine
- Entry to the post-race F1 concerts
- Access to F1 and local merchandise
- Complimentary return shuttle between Lusail Metro Station and the Circuit
Ticket type: Lusail Lounge Hill
View: Offers views from Turn 1
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 7,048 pp
Key features:
- Entrance for all three days of the event
- 3 day access to the Lusail Hill Hospitality Viewing Area
- Fine-dining catering
- Open bar serving beverages
- In venue entertainment including DJ and driving simulator
Ticket type: Club 16
View: Offers a view of the circuit’s main straight and final turn
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 6,913.31pp, a 3 day pass is QR 8,811 pp
Key features:
- Entrance for all three days of the event
- Access to Club 16, a premium lounge
- Access to outdoor terrace overlooking turn 16
- Fine-dining catering
- Open bar serving beverages
Ticket type: Premiere Hospitality
View: This hospitality package has a view of the circuit’s main straight and turn 1
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 14,686 pp
Key features:
- 3 day access to the lower level of the premiere hospitality building
- Fine-dining catering
- Open bar serving beverages
- In-venue entertainment including DJs and racing simulators
Ticket type: Champion’s Club
View: Offers a view of the circuit’s main straight and turn 1
Price: A 3 day pass is QR 16,889 pp
Key features:
- Entrance to all three days of the event
- 3 day access to the Champions Club located on the upper level of the premiere hospitality building
- Fine-dining catering
- Open-bar serving beverages
- Special guest appearances that may include Legendary F1 drivers and media personalities
- Grid walk and championship trophy photo opportunity
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