PlanYourAbu DhabiGrand Prix

F1 fans often come to Abu Dhabi for the off-track activities and entertainment as much as to watch live motorsports. That said, views at the Yas Marina circuit are not going to disappoint even the most experienced of F1 spectators. The lack of a free-to-roam day where fans can watch from any grandstand, regardless of what ticket they hav,e is the only real downside.

Grandstands are very desirable, often with views over multiple corners, and none are particularly weak. The venue may have street circuit-like characteristics, but grandstands are well elevated. Even lower rows allow for a clear view without being spoiled by any nasty catch-fencing.

Positioned at the end of the second long straight and at the most common point for overtakes under DRS into turn 9, the south grandstand is never far from the action.

The setting is stunning with the yachts in Yas Marina as your backdrop and the luminescent Yas Viceroy Hotel twinkling in the fading light.

After breaking hard into turn 9, 3 further slow-speed corners give you ample time to appreciate the turning ability of the cars before they are full throttle again towards turn 13.

Best seats in this grandstand are right at the apex of the corner for unrivalled views of overtakes and these corners. Seats at the other end have a great view of where the track doubles back on itself and the turn-in to turn 12.

Wherever you are, try and avoid the very lowest seats to be sure your view is unobstructed by the safety rails.

With its similarly spectacular backdrop and views over the same section of track, lower lower-priced Marina Grandstand could be considered ‘South Grandstand Lite’.

While this grandstand’s illustrious neighbour is closer to overtaking hotspot turn 9 (hence the higher prices), Marina Grandstand is also a great option.

Squint and you’ll see passes for position at turn 9 but it’s the corners opposite which really grab the attention. The two medium speed turns 10 and 11 feed into the low speed turn 12.

From the high speed straight to this combination of corners, the Marina Grandstand is an excellent point to see Formula 1 cars under various conditions, even if it’s not the best grandstand at Yas Marina.

The west grandstand is an L-shaped stand that wraps itself around turn 6.

Braking hard for turn 6 after a long straight – the first of the DRS zones – there is always a chance of overtakes here. Drivers then thread their way through two slow corners before getting back on it, accelerating towards turn 9.

Later on in the lap, you’ll see the cars again as they negotiate the final two turns. Here, the pitlane entry is clearly visible and depending on where you’re seated, you can make out the lower positions of the grid and the start of the pitlane.

There are really three distinct sections in this grandstand, each with its own advantages.

From the left of the stand as you face the track, your view of the turn-in to turn 6 is distant, and it’s not the best place to see overtakes. Watching the more distant section of track, turns 15 and 16, you’re well placed to enjoy this, and there is an exciting view down the grid and of some pit boxes.

Overall, this spot is not the optimal place for the majority of the time, but it delivers on brief bursts of excitement like the start and the pit stops that few other places at the track can match.

Seats opposite the turn in to the apex of turn 6 have some of the best views of overtakes at this corner, and the final two corners of the lap are clearly visible. Don’t expect to see anything of the pit stops or even the very last rows of the grid.

You’ll also find this to be the case seated on the exit of turn six but you do have pretty good views of other parts of the track when the cars come back towards the end of the lap, and you have a better view of turns 6 and 7 as the cars will be head on which is more satisfying to see and makes for much more Instagram worthy photographs.

There are plenty of giant screens here, so wherever you are seated, you’ll know what’s going on in the track sessions. The proximity to the paddock means you feel close to the action at all times and can appreciate the very unique atmosphere of the venue.

A giant grandstand that wraps around the turn 5 hairpin to form a horseshoe shape. The preceding chicane was removed for a revised layout ahead of the 2021 race in an effort to create more overtaking opportunities. It seemed to do the trick when, that year, this was the site of a championship-deciding overtake for the lead of the race on a controversial final lap.

As well as the potential for racing action, the North Grandstand is an ideal area for photo opportunities as cars slow right down, providing the chance for some very nice head-on shot,s especially if you’re positioned at the exit to the hairpin.