Attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi was an unforgettable experience. It was my very first Formula 1 race, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. However, after four amazing days filled with high-speed action, fan zones, and stunning views, I’m excited to share my journey, along with some valuable tips and recommendations that will help anyone planning to attend in the future.
Best Seats at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi: Marina Grandstand Review
We purchased our tickets through Ticketmaster in June, opting for seats in the Marina Grandstand. Our seats were right next to the passionate Dutch fans, which made for an electric atmosphere. We were seated in Block J, 69-70, which offered the best possible view of the race. From there, we could see the cars hurtling down the straight and zooming past the luxury yachts, which made for an incredible sight. Having a screen is a must, as it allows you to follow the action around other parts of the track.
We had a fantastic view of the iconic W Hotel Abu Dhabi, which looked stunning lit up at night, especially during the fireworks! The view also covered the DRS zone, the south corner, and the corners 14 to 19 that go underneath the hotel. A pair of binoculars was helpful for seeing the action up close, especially around the driver drop-off points on the bridge near the swipe gates.
Our grandstand was conveniently located near Gate 6, which meant we were the first to be dropped off by the shuttle bus. This made for a much more comfortable and less stressful experience as we didn’t have to worry about long waits or fighting for seats on the bus. Another highlight was the amazing atmosphere created by the Dutch fans. The fan zones were packed with fun activities like the Formula 1 simulator, tire change challenge, and a selfie booth—all highly recommended!
An additional perk of being in our area was the proximity to the Formula 2 garages below us. We had the chance to see the Formula 2 pit crew in action, which was an exciting experience. We also got to walk through the F2 pit lane on Thursday and Friday—something not available at all grandstands. Even the women’s academy was there, so you could get a glimpse of them in action too. To top it all off, we even spotted Lando Norris at the F2 pits, which was pretty amazing!
Essential Tips for Getting to the Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit is enormous, much larger than it appears on TV. If you plan to explore other fan zones or grandstands, be prepared to walk long distances, especially in the desert heat. I highly recommend renting a car for the trip, as taxis and Ubers can be pricey and time-consuming. We parked at Yas Mall where parking is free, and there’s a constant shuttle service to the track. The buses are air-conditioned and comfortable, which was a lifesaver in the heat.
One big tip is to arrive at the mall at least 3 hours before the race or qualifying to secure parking close to the bus shuttle station. Yas Mall is vast, and you don’t want to end up walking 2.5 km to catch your shuttle like we did on Thursday. On Saturday, we arrived at the mall around 11:00 AM, spent some time at Ferrari World, and then headed to the track around 3:30 PM, which was much more manageable.
Day 1 Thursday at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix: Pit Lane Walk and Fan Zone Exploration
Timing is crucial if you want to take part in the pit lane walk, something we were really excited about. This is one of the reasons why I recommend getting the four-day tickets—you don’t want to miss out on these unique experiences. The swipe gates to the venue were quick to navigate, but be aware that on Thursday, only the main grandstand is open for spectators.
We arrived at 11:30 AM, planning to attend the pit lane walk, which runs from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived and stood in the queue, they had already closed the pit lane walk due to overcapacity! Yes, despite arriving on time, there were simply too many people, and the event had reached its limit. We were extremely disappointed, especially since we had hoped to get a closer look at the garages and the Formula 1 cars. It turns out they had oversold tickets, which was frustrating, as it didn’t seem like they had limited the number of spots as they should have.
Despite missing out on the pit lane walk, we made the most of the day by exploring the main grandstand area. We were able to check out the garages and the podium, take some great photos, and enjoy the view of the track. The fan zone behind the grandstand was also a great place to visit. There was a Formula 1 car and the trophy on display, along with several merchandise stalls. However, because it was so crowded, it was difficult to get a clear view or enjoy everything fully. There were also a lot of exciting activities, but it was challenging to move around without getting jostled.
My advice for future visitors: If you want to experience everything without the crowds, arrive by 9:00 AM or at least before 10:00 AM. This will give you a much better chance of doing the pit lane walk, enjoying the fan zone, and soaking in all the action without feeling overwhelmed by the crowd. By the time the crowd builds up, it can be hard to enjoy the full experience, so getting there early is key!
Day 2 at the Formula 1 Grand Prix: Practice Sessions and Behind-the-Scenes Action
As it was our very first race, we couldn’t wait to hear the engine roar of the Formula 1 cars. We attended Practice 1 on Friday at the Marina Grandstand, where our seats were located, and I highly recommend sitting here if you’re attending. If you can’t make it on Thursday, Friday is the perfect day to experience the atmosphere. Unlike Thursday, when everyone was squeezed into one area, Friday allowed us to spread out and truly enjoy everything. There were no long queues, which made the day feel much more relaxed.
We were able to enjoy all the fun activities without the rush. We tried the Formula 1 simulator, took part in the tire change challenge, and explored the merchandise stalls—all without waiting in line for too long. The fan zones were a blast, and we had ample time to check out the Formula 2 pit lane and academy garages, snapping plenty of pictures. We even got to spot Lando Norris at the F2 pits, which was an amazing bonus! The overall vibe was fantastic.
One of the best aspects of Friday was the amount of roaming space in the grandstand. It wasn’t overcrowded—about 30% of the seats were filled, so we had plenty of space to move around, grab food or drinks, and really enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. The freedom to explore and not be hurried up by lines made the day so much more enjoyable.
The Formula 2 pit lane walk was definitely worth it. We had plenty of time to check out the F2 garages, and seeing the teams in action up close was a real highlight. The fan zones were a lot more relaxed, with no long lines, and you could enjoy the experience at your own pace. If you can only attend one day, I would definitely recommend Friday as it felt like the best mix of activities and excitement without the intense crowd.
As for the practice session, it was simply mind-blowing. The sound and sight of the F1 cars in real life is something you can’t fully appreciate until you’re there. The speed, the sound, the precision—it was all so much more intense than on TV. If you’re a Formula 1 fan, you absolutely have to experience it at least once in your life—there’s nothing like it. In my opinion, Friday tickets are definitely worth the purchase, as they offer a fantastic balance of fun activities and live racing without the overwhelming crowds of race day.
Day 3 in Abu Dhabi: Ferrari World, Concerts, and Evening Race Preparations
Day 3 – Saturday: Ferrari World, Concert Chaos, and Nighttime F1 Magic
On Saturday, we started our day a bit later, arriving at Yas Mall in the late morning. From there, we headed straight to Ferrari World, which was an incredible experience. The roller coasters here are like no other! I highly recommend getting there early, as by around 1:00 PM, the queues for rides became incredibly long. If you don’t want to wait, it might be worth considering priority tickets to skip the lines.
After enjoying the rides, we made our way to the track around 3:00 PM to get our concert tickets (which were included with our 4-day F1 tickets). We arrived just in time, but by 4:00 PM, there were 1km-long lines to collect wristbands for the after-race concert. To make matters worse, their system crashed, and the tablet batteries died, leaving part of our group unable to get their wristbands. The situation quickly escalated into chaos, with some very frustrated fans—it almost felt like a riot was about to break out! This was another example of poor planning by the organizers, similar to the issues we faced with the pit lane walk earlier in the week.
Despite the concert chaos, the rest of the day was fantastic. The track area was only at about 60% capacity, which was surprising, especially considering it was qualifying day. This gave us plenty of space to enjoy everything without the overcrowding of race day. We went for a second round at the tire change challenge, which was still so much fun!
One of the highlights was seeing the track in nighttime for the first time. It was magical—sitting across from the W Hotel and watching the cars zoom by under the floodlights was an unforgettable experience. You wouldn’t believe the amount of lighting at the track—it looked incredible!
I also want to mention the bathrooms—they are plentiful and very clean, so no worries there. Plus, there are many water stations around the track where you can refill your bottle with cold water for free, which is a great bonus, especially in the desert heat.
As for food and drinks, the prices are definitely on the higher side. A beer will cost you AED 30, spirits range from AED 75 to AED 90, and food starts around AED 50 or more. My advice is to eat something before you arrive at the track and refill your water bottle at the stations if you’re on a budget.
Finally, the merchandise stalls are also quite pricey, but on the last day, there were some great deals, such as buy one, get one free offers. One stall even sold t-shirts for AED 100, and they had the same buy one, get one free promotion, which was a nice surprise.
In all, Saturday was an exciting day filled with thrills, fun activities, and unforgettable moments—despite the concert fiasco.
Day 4 at the Formula 1 Grand Prix: Race Day Highlights and Final Concert Experience
On Sunday, we arrived early, about 4 hours before the race started, to ensure we secured parking and avoided the crowds. It’s definitely worth getting there ahead of time, especially if you want to see the driver’s parade, which was a fantastic sight. Seeing all the drivers in their cars, waving to the crowd, really set the tone for the day.
We also got to the track early enough to collect our concert tickets—a good move since there were no long lines compared to the previous day. We enjoyed the national anthem and the build-up to the race. Once the race started, the excitement was palpable! Of course, we were there for the cars, and it did not disappoint. Watching the cars race around the circuit is an experience you can’t fully capture on TV.
The atmosphere around the track was incredible, with the Dutch fans in full swing, waving their flags and wearing their orange shirts. The fan zones were busy but full of energy, with DJ sets and plenty of fun activities. If you enjoy the music scene, you definitely won’t be disappointed by the entertainment, though the crowds meant some of the attractions—like the Formula 1 simulator and selfie booth—had long lines. I recommend getting to these earlier in the weekend, as Sunday is all about the race.
By race day, the area was much more crowded, with a lot of focus on the event itself. While the other activities were still available, the priority was clearly on watching the race. For us, it was a thrilling and unforgettable experience, especially with the crowd cheering, the track buzzing with energy, and the incredible performance of the drivers. Sunday was the perfect way to cap off our Formula 1 experience at Yas Marina Circuit.
Tips for a Smooth Formula 1 Experience in Abu Dhabi: Parking, Food, and More
Here are a few final tips to make the most of your trip to the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit:
- Get there early: Whether it’s for parking, the pit lane walk, or concert tickets, getting to the venue early can help you avoid long lines and crowds.
- Rent a car: This will save you time and hassle compared to taxis or Ubers, and parking at Yas Mall is free with a shuttle to the track.
- Stay hydrated: It can get hot, so refill your water bottle at the many water stations scattered around the track.
- Skip the concerts: While the idea sounds fun, the long waits and disorganization make it not worth the time. Focus on the race and fan zones instead.
- Merchandise deals: Wait until the last day for great deals on merchandise, like buy-one-get-one-free offers on t-shirts.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be walking a lot, so make sure to wear comfortable footwear for exploring the track and fan zones.
- Plan Your Meals: Food stalls can be crowded and pricey, so consider eating before you arrive or bring snacks to keep you energized throughout the day.
- Apply Sunscreen and Wear a Hat: The sun can be intense, so sunscreen and a hat are essential to protect yourself from the heat and sunburn.
All in all, attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. If you’re a motorsport fan, it’s an absolute must-do at least once in your lifetime.
Is the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix Worth It? My Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Yes, the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix is absolutely worth it, especially if it’s your first time attending. The experience of being at Yas Marina Circuit, with its stunning views, high-speed action, and incredible atmosphere, is something every motorsport fan should experience at least once. I highly recommend the four-day tickets if you want to fully immerse yourself in all the activities, from the pit lane walk to the practice sessions and concert events. However, if you’re short on time or prefer a more relaxed schedule, the three-day tickets are also a fantastic option. Just make sure to arrive early, particularly for popular activities like the pit lane walk or to get the best parking spots.
The track offers something for everyone, whether you’re into the racing, the fan zones, or exploring the various attractions nearby. Overall, it’s an unforgettable event, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking to experience the thrill of Formula 1 in one of the most exciting settings in the world.
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