Best seats at the Qatar MotoGP

Lusail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar

Located just on the outskirts of Doha, Qatars capital city, you’ll find the Lusail International Circuit, which is consistently one of the season’s most hotly anticipated venues.

Opening for MotoGP back in 2004 and hosting championship races ever since, Lusail is revered by racing fanatics all over the world for the unique perspective it offers. 

A refreshingly modern track that took little over a year to build, Lusail plays host to the only night time race of the season, giving fans and riders alike a particularly special experience.

Seeing your favourite riders plummet down the 1km long main straight under the floodlights is a truly beautiful spectacle. At least one trip to Qatar should be on the bucket list of any self-proclaimed petrolhead.

The switch to a night time event was in part due to the extreme daytime heat in Qatar. The potentially hazardous impact on the performance of the tyres and the bike parts led to the organisers installing the floodlights in 2008, and they never looked back.

Saturated with a nice blend of high and speed corners, Lusail allows the riders to demonstrate their own technical prowess, whilst also squeezing every last drop of power out of their machines, hitting some ridiculous top end speeds.

It’s a circuit for the speed lovers, whether that be the fans or the riders.

While not directly served by public transport, there are a number of shuttle buses from all of the nearest metro stations across race weekend, to ensure you get there without any issues.

Alternatively, many fans will book a taxi or a Uber from Doha, where the majority tend to stay. The northern side of Doha, with hotels such as ‘The Pearl’ is the most popular place to stay.

MotoGP to stay in Qatar until 2031

Thanks to a contract that’s already in place, MotoGP is due to take place at Lusail Circuit until at least 2031.

Jorge Lorenzo is the track’s most decorated rider, taking the most victories there. Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are tied for the most MotoGP wins though. Aprilla have the most manufacturer wins, with 12.

‘La Bestia’ Enea Bastianini won the latest edition of the Qatar GP, storming to a unexpected and particularly emotional maiden win in front of team boss Nadia Padovani. She had recently taken over ownership of Gresini from her husband Fausto, who sadly passed away the previous year with COVID.

So no doubt you must be wondering, where is best place to sit at Lusail? In all honesty, there aren’t many seating options at Qatar, but we’ll go into some detail about each one.

Grandstands at Lusail MotoGP Circuit

Here’s a list of the Grandstand names at the MotoGP circuit in Qatar.

• General Grandstand
• Lusail Club Grandstand
• VIP Village

General Grandstand

Perched over the start/finish line in a prime position on the main straight, the General Grandstand at the Qatar GP gives you some jaw-dropping views over what is undoubtedly the fastest part of the circuit.

The 1km straight will see the riders hit breathtaking speeds as they battle it out for position going into the first corner. With a seat in the general grandstand, you’re right in the thick of the action.

Most fans at the Grand Prix will be in this grandstand, so you’re smack-bang in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.

While the atmosphere at Lusail may not quite compare to some of the more well known championship races, you’re still going to be surrounded by thousands of passionate motorbike fans.

There are a few food and drink stalls dotted about, along with toilets nearby. A big screen directly in front of you will keep you in the loop as the action elsewhere on the circuit unfolds. 

The general grandstand is decently priced, offering what is probably the best bang for your buck at the Qatar circuit in terms of all round experience.

An added perk of a seat here is the fantastic view of the team garages and the post race podium celebrations. Anyone visiting the Qatar circuit without wanting to splash out on the pricey VIP options available should buy a ticket for this grandstand.

Lusail Club Grandstand 

The only grandstand located off of the main straight, the Lusail Club grandstand caters for bike fans craving a slightly more premium experience, with its slick, seat-back style seating.

Being out on the circuit’s outskirts, if you’re wanting to witness more than just the main straight at the Qatar MotoGP, then this is really your only option.

It overlooks turns 9, 10 and 11, providing some brilliant views over this technical bit of track.

Thanks to its positioning on the inside of the circuit, you’ll see the riders flying towards you head on, before it’s knees to the tarmac as they negotiate the chicane and catapult out the other side.

Photographers NEED to grab a seat here – the flood lights shine bright on the riders, contrasting with the dark night sky backdrop, allowing for some beautiful shots.

There are toilets next to the Lusail Club stand, and food and drink stalls are also just a short walk away. A big screen is on hand for you to watch the rest of the race.

You may feel a little isolated with a seat here though, as it’s a standalone grandstand and a bit distant from the main straight. The atmosphere won’t be as electric as you might find elsewhere at Lusail. You also don’t get views of the podium celebrations that many fans find the most enjoyable part of race weekend.

I’d recommend choosing the General Grandstand over a seat here for a better all round experience, as long as you don’t mind being stuck with a view of a straight on race day.

VIP Village 

If money is no object, the two covered VIP Village options at the Lusail Circuit offer a fully immersive, no holds barred race day experience. 

Regarded as the best seats in the house, with tickets for the VIP village you’re gifted with phenomenal views of the start and finish, main straight, podium celebrations post-race, and aerial views of the pit lane and paddock area. You’ll be able to enjoy all the pre- race preparations and post-race antics to the max.

With you splashing out the big bucks, a vast array of added extras are thrown in with a ticket here, to ensure you really get your money’s worth.

The Apex VIP Village ticket choice grants you access to the premier lounge within the VIP Village, where you’ll find a plethora of food and drink options. Taking it one step further is the MotoGP VIP Village, which gives you access to the luxurious VIP lounge, where you’ll find a bottomless bar and a variety of gourmet food options amongst other things.

If you choose a seat here, there are a number of opportunities on offer to really get up close and personal with the riders, such as pit lane walks, team garage tours, and photo opportunities with the World Champions trophy.

Despite the fantastic added extras included with one of the VIP tickets, when it comes to the actual view of the racing, it’s not much different to that offered by the general grandstand. 

If you want to still have a brilliant weekend in Qatar without burning holes in your pockets, just grab a ticket for the General Grandstand at Qatar. You’ll still be in for a treat.

Though there are definitely more exciting circuits in the championship with better grandstands and more varied vantage points, the Qatar MotoGP is still well worth making the trip, especially if you’ve never been before. With the contract running through until at least 2031, it will only get better and better as the years go on, and the organisers learn what works and what doesn’t.