Image credit: Vamos
This is my review of the T16 grandstand for the Qatar F1 and MotoGP, at the Lusail International circuit. I’ve put this guide together for any other spectators interested in sitting in this grandstand for either event.
The guide includes videos of the views from this stand, a seating plan, information on where you can get tickets from even when they’re sold out in most places, and my tips on picking the best seats.
Contents
T16 Grandstand Qatar Location
The T16 Grandstand at the Lusail International Circuit, Qatar, is on the outside (left hand side) of the track at the final corner, Turn 16. This leads on to the start / finish straight.
If you have tickets for the T16 grandstand at the Qatar Formula 1 race then you also get access to the General Admission area, called the Lusail Hill, on the outside of the circuit at Turn 1.
In the next image you can see how this grandstand is positioned on the outside of the final corner:
One of the bonuses of sitting in this grandstand if you plan on using the Metro Shuttle to get to the track is that this is the closest grandstand to the drop off point for the shuttle bus. It’s only a 10 minute walk from the shuttle drop off to the T16 grandstand.
Grandstand details
Cover
The T16 grandstand is uncovered, but it not going to rain so that’s not an issue. It does get cold in the evenings, however, so bring some additional layers to put on once the sun has seat to keep you warm.
Seats
The seats in this stand are individual plastic chairs.
TV screens
There’s one TV screen visible from this stand. It’s on the other side of the circuit on the inside of Turn 16 and you can see it clearly from wherever you sit.
T16 Grandstand tickets Lusail Circuit
Tickets for the grandstands at the Qatar F1 and MotoGP races often sell out quicklyat Lusail circuit. In that case what I’d do is to buy tickets through ViaGoGo instead. There they’ll have tickets for sale right up until the race day, even if they’re sold out everywhere else.
Plus you can choose single-day ticket options through ViaGoGo. I normally do this as they’re cheaper, plus they give you flexibility to try different grandstands on different days if you are going for multiple days.
I’ve bought my Formula 1 tickets through ViaGoGo lots of times over the last few years, including for my recent trips to the Canadian and British Grand Prix, and have always had a good experience with them.
T16 Grandstand Qatar seating plan
Below is the seating plan for the T16 Grandstand at the Lusail International Circuit.
As the seating chart shows this grandstand is split in to different sections. The row numbers increase the higher up the stand you go.
You can also see that the grandstand extends past the corner, and as you’ll see in the view section below, your view of the circuit changes quite considerably depending on where you sit.
NOTE: You do not get assigned seats in the T16 grandstand for the F1. When you purchase tickets you don’t get alloacted a reserved seat. It’s first-come first-served when you get to the stand to pick your seats. The circuit won’t sell more tickets than the total number of available seats, so there should always be space. The only exception to that is when people leave single seat gaps between them and the group next to them, and occasionally that means some people have to stand in the aisle which is annoying.
But the best seats will be taken early. So the earlier you get to the grandstand the better choice of seats you’ll have.
View
This image shows the sections of the track visible from this stand in green:
As the image above shows, you can see the approach to Turn 16, the corner itself, and if you sit in the right place you can also see all the way down the start / finish straight to Turn 1, and you can see the pitlane. That means you’ll be able to see the start of the race and the action at Turn 1, although that corner is a long way in the distance so you’ll need some binoculars or a great zoom on your camera to see it.
To get the view down the start / finish straight you need to sit as far to the left in the grandstand as possible.
This video shows the view from the left side of the stand:
This next video also shows the view from the left side of the stand, looking down the start / finish straight as the F1 cars start the race:
@martinp646 View from turn 16 Race start at qatar f1 gran prix 2024 #f1 #f1tiktok #qatargp #lusailinternationalcircuit #granprix #landonorris #maxverstappen #formula1 #mclaren #redbull ♬ original sound - martinp
If you sit in the centre or right hand side of the stand, however, you have no view down the main straight. Instead you’ll see the cars as they approach and go around Turn 16, but you’ll be closer to the TV screen. This video was filmed from the right side of the stand:
Best seats
Without a doubt, I’d say the best seats in the T16 grandstand at Qatar are those as far to the left as possible. Sitting on the left side gives you a view along the start / finish straight, so not only can you see the cars go around the final corner of Turn 16, but you’ll be able to watch them head to Turn 1 in the distance as well.
However, everyone else will probably try and sit on the left side of the stand as well. And as this grandstand doesn’t have assigned seating, you’ll need to get there really early on Sunday to try and grab the best seats. Try to get there when the gates open and make a dash for the grandstand. Then you’ll have to be prepared to hold on to your seats all day – easy if you’re in a group, a little more tricky if you’re solo.
Is this a good place to sit?
Pretty much no overtaking happens at Turn 16 and it’s a slow to medium speed corner, so it’s not the most exciting to watch the cars go round. But if you can get some of the best seats I mentioned above, your view gets much better and seeing the start straight and pitlane makes these tickets worth it.
