This is my spectating guide for the South grandstand at the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 track, Yas Marina Circuit.
The guide includes examples of the view from different sections of the stand, a seating plan, ticket information and my tips on picking the best seats in the South grandstand.
Contents
Abu Dhabi South Grandstand location
The South grandstand is located at the entry to Turn 9, known as Marsa Corner, on the Yas Marina Circuit layout.
In 2021 the track was changed at this point of the circuit to the layout shown above. Before 2021 there used to be sharp chicane in place of the fast left hander.
The grandstand is on the outside of the track and runs parallel with the straight where the cars brake for Turn 9. It now extends slightly past the turn-in point for the corner.
South Grandstand details
Levels
There are two levels on the South grandstand at the Abu Dhabi F1 circuit.
Confusingly these are sometimes referred to as Level 2 and Level 4 on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets, despite there only being two levels.
Cover
The whole grandstand has a roof over the top, however the lower level (Level 2) is less likely to be covered by this as the roof is so high. The back few rows of Level 2 are, however, directly under the cover of Level 4 above.
The grandstand is North-East facing so you should have the sun behind and to the left of you as it moves through the sky and sets towards the end of the day. It’ll never be directly in your eyes.
TV screens
There’s one big TV screen visible from this grandstand on the other side of the track. It’s centrally located opposite the stand, and is easier to see from the sections in the middle of the grandstand.
South Grandstand Abu Dhabi F1 tickets
You can purchase either 2-day or 3-day tickets for the South grandstand at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
See Abu Dhabi ticket prices for updated costs on this year’s GP tickets for this grandstad.
Tickets can be purchased directly through the official Yas Marina Circuit website.
When booking your tickets you can first choose which section of the grandstand you want to sit in. Then you can pick your specific seat(s), choosing both the row and seat number you’d like. See my suggestions lower down this page for picking the best seats.
South Grandstand Abu Dhabi seating plan
Below is the South grandstand seating plan at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
As the Yas Marina South grandstand seating plan shows, the grandstand is split in to 8 different sections. Sections 1 – 4 are on the lower Level 2 and sections 5 – 8 are on the upper Level 4. The sections are named N-01 to N-08.
Within each section the rows are named with letters. Row A is the front row, B is the next one up etc.
Level 2 two has rows which go from A to N, so 13 rows in total. Level 4 has rows which go from A to J, so 9 rows in total. There is no row I (‘eye’).
The seat numbers increase from left to right, as you stand on the track and look up at the grandstand. The seat numbers start from 1 at the beginning of each section.
Abu Dhabi South Grandstand views
The image below shows the sections of the Yas Marina track that can be seen from the South grandstand highlighted in pink.
As the image shows, from this stand you can see the cars along way down the straight as they approach Turn 9, then all the way through that corner and you’ll lose them out of sight somewhere around Turn 10 or 11, depending on where you sit.
The higher up in the grandstand you sit, the better your vantage point is going to be. Sections 5 – 8 on Level 4 are going to have the best views.
The video below was filmed from section 7 (Level 4) row D and shows just how great the view is from the higher level.
This next video was filmed from section 3 (Level 2) row L and shows how the vantage point changes in a lower seat.
The next video was filmed from section 2 (Level 2) row F. It’s a 360 degree video so grab the image and spin it round to see the track.
Best seats in the South grandstand
Sitting higher up is going to give you a much better vantage point and allow you to see the cars for longer as they go through turns 10 and 11.
Personally I think the best seats in the South grandstand at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are those in sections 6 or 7. Not only are they on the upper level, giving you the best vantage point, but they’re more central in the stand and will give you better visibility of the big TV screen.
Is the South grandstand a good place to sit at Yas Marina?
With the changes made to this part of the circuit, you’re not as likely to see as much overtaking at this part of the track as you would have pre-2021. You’re definitely likely to see more passing in the North grandstand at Turn 5.
But sitting in the South grandstand means you’re at the end of one of the Abu Dhabi DRS zones, so they’re still a good chance of seeing the odd overtake or two.
Plus, this is now a super high speed corner so you get to see the cars cornering, sparks flying off, as their downforce has a big effect.
If you are planning on going to one of the after-race concerts at the Abu Dhabi GP then unfortunately the South grandstand is miles away from the arena at Etihad Park. It’s too far to walk (unless you like a challenge) so you’ll need to wait for the circular shuttle to take you there after the race.
Other Abu Dhabi F1 grandstands / General Admission
Check out my guides to each of the other grandstands and the General Admission area at the Abu Dhabi F1 below:
Thank you!