FAQs Lusail International Circuit FORMULA 1

Our history

Lusail International Circuit is situated 22 miles north of Qatar’s capital city, Doha. The circuit opened its doors in 2004, and in 2007, added permanent floodlights to facilitate evening races. At the time, Lusail International Circuit was the largest permanent sports lighting venue in the world. The first night race in MotoGP’s history was hosted at our track in 2008.

About the track

Lusail International Circuit is 5.38km in length with a total of 16 turns – 10 right turns and 6 left turns. The main straight on the circuit is just over a kilometre long, providing the circuit’s only F1 DRS zone, and allowing cars to reach speeds in excess of 220km/h on race day.

The tight right-hander into turn one provides the best opportunity for cars to overtake, while an almost flat-out triple right-hand apex in turns 12 through to 14 are likely to be challenging on tyres.

Recent upgrades

In 2020, the track’s floodlights underwent major improvements. The old lights were removed and replaced with a brand new, state-of-the-art LED lighting system. The upgrade has improved the quality of lighting on the track for drivers and fans.

Additional changes are also underway to ensure the circuit is ready to host Formula 1. The circuit is undergoing an extensive renovation and remodelling of the complete facility for 2023 events.

Spectator capacity

The permanent Main grandstand, located on the main straight, has a seating capacity of 7,500. For large events, including when the Formula 1 comes to Qatar, the overall capacity will be increased by adding temporary grandstands and hospitality areas around the circuit.

The capacity for the Formula 1 race is expected to be of around 50,000.

Everything you need to know for an unforgettable experience at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023

When is the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix?
From 6 to 8 October 2023.

The weekend will begin with one practice and one qualifying session on Friday 6th.On Saturday 7th, the second practice and the new exhilarating sprint race qualifier session will go on.

The Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 8th, with lights out scheduled for 20:00 local time.

DATE	TIME	EVENT
6 October 2023	4:30 pm – 5:30 pm	Practice
6 October 2023	8 pm – 9 pm	Qualifying
7 October 2023	4 pm – 4:44 pm	Sprint Shootout
7 October 2023	8:30 pm – 9:30 pm	Sprint
8 October 2023	8 pm	Race

Will food and beverage be available at the circuit?

Yes – there will be a variety of food and beverage options to accommodate a wide range of personal preferences.

Will alcohol be available?

Hospitality Areas – Alcohol will be served within the various Hospitality venues within the circuit including the Paddock Club, Premiere Hospitality, Club 16 and the Lusail Lounge.

Public Areas & Event Fan Zone – Similar to the FIFA World Cup, there will be no direct service of alcohol within the areas accessible to general ticket holders outside of the Hospitality venues. This will mean that the fan zones at the circuit as well as the various F&B zones will only serve non-alcoholic beverages.

Will there be an F1 fanzone at the circuit?

Yes, there will be a fanzone located behind the Main Grandstand and will be accessible to all ticket holders.

Will there be free parking at the circuit?

Free parking will be available for a limited number of cars. We encourage ticket holders to make use of public transport and to car-pool as much as possible. Please plan to arrive early as traffic congestion is expected on the roads surrounding the circuit and in the parking areas.

What are my public transport options?

There will be a designated taxi/Uber drop off point at the circuit. A taxi from the West Bay area of Doha to Lusail International Circuit will take approximately 25 minutes (with no traffic) and costs approximately 35 Qatari Riyals ($9.50).

For people using the Metro, there will be frequent shuttle buses running between Lusail Metro Station and Lusail International Circuit. A single standard journey on the Metro costs 3 Qatari Riyals ($0.80). Please note the expected shuttle travel time from Lusail Metro Station to Lusail International Circuit may take up to 40 minutes so please plan your trip accordingly. On Fridays, the Metro only operates from 14:00.

What are the expected weather conditions for the race?

The average temperature in Qatar during the month of October is 35 degrees Celsius, with slightly cooler temperatures in the evenings.

Entrance Procedure, Security, Lost & Found and Emergency Information

All venue related information will be updated in due time.

What else can I do during my trip to Qatar?

For more information, head over to the Visit Qatar website to plan your itinerary for your trip to Qatar.