The West Grandstand at the Abu Dhabi F1 circuit provides views of the cars as they brake for a tight chicane at the end of the longest straight on the track.
Sit in the right place and you can also see along the start / finish straight.
This guide provides my tips on choosing the best seats in the West Grandstand at Yas Marina, plus a seating plan, examples of the view from different sections and ticket info.
Contents
Abu Dhabi West Grandstand location
The West Grandstand is located on the outside (right-hand side) of Turn 6 on the Yas Marina track layout.
The first part of the grandstand is parallel with the end of the long straight. The stand then curves around the corner so the final part is looking back up along the straight the cars have just come from.
New for 2022 was the West Straight Grandstand, built to cope with extra fan numbers attending the GP.
This is slightly further along the straight before Turn 6 and is a much smaller temporary structure.
West Grandstand details
Levels
The West Grandstand at Yas Marina has 3 levels:
- Level 1: Normal and premium, and premium club ticket tolders
- Levels 2 & 3: Yas Suite and Yas Premium Suite ticket holders
Cover
The whole grandstand is covered but the roof is very high over the top, meaning Level 1 isn’t as well covered. Levels 2 and 3 are much better protected.
The grandstand is facing East / North East so the sun should be behind or to the left of the stand towards the end of the day, so you aren’t likely to have it in your eyes.
TV screens
There are two TV screens visible from the West grandstand. Each screen is angled different so both sections of the stand have visibility.
West Grandstand tickets
Tickets for seats in the West Grandstand come in a number of diferent types which give you different views (see the next section for more info on views):
- Standard seats in sections 1 to 4
- Premium seats in sections 5 and 6 (give you a view of the start / finish line)
- Premium Plus seats in sections 7 and 8 on Level 1
- Hospitality / VIP seats on Levels 2 and 3
West Grandstand tickets are popular and can sell out fast. So if you’re looking for seats here I’d recommend buying tickets through ViaGoGo.
You’ll find them available there when they’re sold out elsewhere, and you can often grab a bargain and pick them up for under the list price. They also have more single-day options available.
I’ve bought Formula 1 tickets using ViaGoGo a number of times during the last couple of years, including when I visited the Belgian Grand Prix last season. I’ve always had great experiences using them and won’t hesitate to buy more F1 tickets with them.
They also have a robust FanProtect guarantee which makes sure your money and tickets are protected and safe for added peace of mind.
West Grandstand Abu Dhabi seating plan
Below is the seating plan for the West Grandstand at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As the seating plan shows the grandstand is split in to a number of different sections. Sections 1 – 8 are Level 1, 9 – 15 are Level 2 and 16 – 22 are Level 3.
Within each section the rows are named with letters. Row A is the front row lowest down, the next row back will be Row B, then Row C etc. The rows start from A each time you go up a level.
Level 1 has rows which go from A to H (8 rows) and Levels 2 & 3 have rows from A to D (4 rows).
The seats are numbered from left to right (as you stand on the track and look up at the stand). The seat numbers start from 1 at the beginning of each new section.
Abu Dhabi West Grandstand views
The map below shows the areas of the Yas Marina Circuit that can be seen from the West grandstand highlighted in pink.
Obviously not all of the highlighted areas are visible from all sections of the grandstand. For example the start finish straight across the track after Turn 16 is only visible from the northern sections of the stand (sections 6, 7 and 8).
The video below was filmed from Section 5 row H and shows how you can just about see the beginning of the start / finish straight, but you’re a little too far over to see all the way down it,
Whereas this video, filmed from Section 6 row C, shows that you’re far enough over to see all the way down the start / finish straight.
And this next video filmed from Section 7 row F shows the view from a little further along the stand is still great for seeing the start line action.
At the other end of the grandstand this video shows the view from Section 2 row E. From here you can see a long way back up the long straight approaching Turn 6, and you can see the cars entering Turn 16.
If you were in section 1 then you wouldn’t have a view back up the long straight before Turn 6.
This next video was filmed from the West Yas Suite seating area, Section 10 row 1 (Level 2).
The next video shows the view from the West Straight grandstand. As the video shows the view from here is nowhere near as good.
You’re lower down so have a worse vantage point and can’t see much other than the cars flying past you on the straight before they hit the brakes for Turn 6. The West grandstand to the right blocks the view of Turn 6. I wouldn’t choose to sit here, I’d go for the West grandstand instead.
Best seats in the West grandstand
If you want a great view of the cars coming towards you along the straight and in the braking zone for Turn 6 then try and get a spot in section 2.
If you also want to see some of the action on the start / finish straight then you need sections 6, 7 or 8. You’ll have to buy West grandstand Premium tickets for section 6 and West Club tickets for 7 or 8 but I think it’s worth it.
My personal choice would be one of the higher rows in section 6. The higher rows are always better as they give a slightly wider and higher vantage point.
Is the West grandstand a good place to sit at Yas Marina?
Turn 6 is at the end of the longest straight on the Yas Marina Circuit which is also one of the Abu Dhabi F1 DRS zones. This is one of the most popular overtaking spots on the track so sitting here means that you’re bound to see some passing action.
In fact this grandstand is likely to give you a view of more overtaking than any other stand at the Abu Dhabi GP, so it’s a great place to see some proper racing.
With the bonus of being able to see across the track to turns 15 and 16 this grandstand also gives you the most track coverage of any of the stands. So for seeing as much of the racing as possible, this is the best place to sit.
If you’re attending one of the Abu Dhabi post-race concerts, these are held up behind the North Grandstand in Etihad Park. That’s about 30 minutes’ walk away from here, or you can hop on one of the circular buses.
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:
i got tickets for section 1, i am officially depressed, i though my one will show the start and finish
Hi mate, don’t be depressed they’re still great seats! But if you are desperate, speak to the guys at Yas Marina and ask if you can change.
Very informative and helpful, unlike asking the circuit directly for a seating plan. Many thanks for your great work.
Thanks for the comment Paul
Hello. Best info here. I just got tickets to West Grandstand (No2). I hope this is ok. Can we have access after the race to the podium celebrations? And what time the concerns begin at Sunday night?
Hi Peter, I believe that only a limited number of people are given access to walk on the track in front of the podium after the race, and these are usually people in the main grandstand or those with VIP tickets on the pit straight.
The gates to the concert area (Etihad Park) are usually opened at around 6pm, but music doesn’t normally start until 7pm onwards. More info here: https://oversteer48.com/abu-dhabi-f1-concert/