All revved for Qatar’s F1 Grand Prix – and some

It’s the “and some” that I want to share. This is the fun, the mardi gras, carnival atmosphere – call it what you will – that happens alongside the high-octane racing at Qatar’s Formula One Grand Prix that I want to tell you about it.

No doubt, such sideshows take place at each of the 24 races that make up the F1 season.

But I can only speak for Qatar.

The next F1 race weekend in Doha, Qatar, is happening from 28 to 30 November 2025.

It was here in Doha, following a lifetime of Sunday afternoons spent watching the likes of Senna, Scheckter and Schumacher on the goggle box, that the noise, speed and thrills and spills of F1 racing became an in-person “bucket list” reality for me in 2023.

Now wild prancing Ferrari horses won’t drag me away from the live event.

A day (or three) spent at the F1 Grand Prix, which is literally on our doorstep, fills my sport-loving bucket.

As an aside, Qatar offers umpteen other top sporting treats for fans as part of its national plan to grow the country’s economy and global influence.

Sensory overload at Qatar F1

This “and some” bonus, includes:

• See: The lunar-like desert surrounds; the cultural diversity of racing fans; those super swift racing machines; the fireworks and the after-race party. This year, Seal and Metallica will be performing on different evenings.
• Smell: Oud (an intensely fragrant Middle Eastern smell), Arabic coffee, food and yes, octane
• Taste: Middle Eastern cuisine or any of the fast foods available
• Hear: Arabic music; different languages; the high-pitched roar of the F1 cars
• Touch: You will be hands-on with many of the F1 experiences – such as changing tyres as part of the pit crew competition available to fans; lying on the beanbags that dot the family zone; the feel of the luxury merchandise on offer.

In short, expect sensory overload – and a bashing of your bank balance should you succumb to any of the caps, shirts and other F1 branded items on offer.

Getting to F1 in Qatar

Once you have your tickets (there are still ground tickets available) and you have reached the Lusail International Circuit (details at end), head for the entrance.

There are many volunteers to help you.

They will guide you in scanning your tickets, after which you are given the relevant bracelet pass.

You will have your bags screened. It’s advisable to leave your binoculars (we had to retrieve ours from security after the event), water, and cigarette lighters at home.

Then it’s straight into the family zone where most of the “and-some” activities take place.

The first time I attended the F1 Grand Prix, I was in goldfish mode – my mouth agog, and my head in constant swivel mode. There was just so much to take in.

The Fan Zone – activities aplenty

The Fan Zone is abuzz with activities. If you are anything like me (the kid at Disney World), you’ll not know where to look or what activity to try first.

But first, says the H, who’s a man of habit, we’ll find our seats, put our stuff down – bags, jackets (yes, it can get chilly at night in late November) – before heading back to the Fan Zone to soak it all in.

(P.S. Qatar is an extremely safe country. We leave generally our stuff on our seats. We have never experienced theft of any kind but it may be wise to keep your money, bank cards and ID on you at all times.)

In the Fan Zone, which has improved each year, there will be DJs, a cultural area with traditional Qatari coffee and sometimes an Oud been played (this musical instrument is not to be confused with the tree-smelling oud); roving entertainment in the form of musical parades and people on stilts and a range of F1-related games, including VR simulators, holograms and photographic opportunities, for both adults and children.

There are other special sideshow too, but sadly these are already sold out, including the pit lane walk – every petrolheads’ dream – offering exclusive access to the pit lane and to see the teams’ garages up close.

There are extensive eating areas, too.

Of course, there are other more sophisticated hospitality spots elsewhere within the circuit for those with bigger budgets and better connections.

But even the fortunate few almost always pop down to the Fan Zone to enjoy the mardi gras before the racing begins.

F1 Fans in Qatar

The F1 Grand Prix attracts fans from around the world.

Many of them come from the host city of Doha. Since close to 90% of the resident population of the country are ex-pats, we’re already guaranteed a mix bag of spectators.

(It takes just 20 minutes to drive to the track from the centre of the city, and there is public transport available too. See details below.)

I am in people-watching heaven.

Last year, close to 155 000 spectators attended the three-day event.

This is a far cry from the likes of the Dutch Grand Prix which draws more than 300 000 fans over two days, but it’s way up on the 80 000 fans who attended the first race in 2021. The H was there for the inaugural event.

Doha or the Lusail International Racetrack is one of only six venues to host both a sprint (19 laps) and full-length Grand Prix race (57 laps). And it does so at night.

But I digress.

Back to those hardened F1 fans.

Many wear the colours of their favoured drivers – the orange for McLaren or Max Verstappen, since he is a Dutch driver, the red of the Ferrari fans or whatever colour is used for the constructor’s liveries. 

And most of them wear peak caps!

Others also don flags from their countries, including South Africans, even though we do not have a driver of our own to cheer on.

F1 fan paraphernalia

Much of what the fans wear is available to purchase at the F1 family zone.

And it all costs a pretty penny. We’re talking close to R1000 for an official branded cap.

But, hey what, window shopping is free, and so we rub shoulders with those who do queue to buy their caps, shirts, hoodies, leather jackets and the like.

Food for thought in Qatar

You won’t go hungry at the Grand Prix, but you might have to queue for your favourite food. (You are not allowed to bring your own food in, so make sure you budget for food, if not fan merchandise!)  

You’ll not thirst either as water is given away for free (a nice touch after the rip-off prices imposed for drinks during the FIFA2022 World Cup held in Qatar).

But please don’t expect to quaff your favourite alcoholic tipple at the Grand Prix because drinking in public is strictly forbidden in Qatar as a Muslim country.

This is not a completely “dry” country, however, as the international hotels do sell alcohol.

Given the global complexity of the spectators, you will find diverse international and local food and beverages available throughout the venue.

We even had Ocean Basket to meet our Saffa cravings at the GP two years ago.

At the last MotoGP held at the same venue, spectators were coerced into downloading a local delivery app to order their food (what a clever marketing ploy) to ease congestion and better manage food delivery.

Regardless of what will be available this year, we’re confident the many eating and relaxing places to eat, drink and socialise will be retained.

There are big screens everywhere, so you never miss the action should you need food, a drink or loo break.

Getting to the circuit at Lusail, Qatar

Qatar will be hosting what is the most expensive sport in the world for only the fourth time this year, from 28 to 30 November.

While the original 5.3km racing track remains relatively unchanged, getting to the international circuit changes with every visit.

We have learnt to “go with the flow” and follow the instructions of officials. Google Maps or (Mrs) Waze may tell you otherwise, but on race days, it’s best to follow signage and the men and women in luminous jackets and pointers.

The circuitous routes via which you may be sent is simply part of managing the large volume of fan vehicles. This is especially the case for Saturday’s sprint race and the main race on Sunday.

It is advisable to go early to avoid queues and enjoy preferential parking closer to the main entrance.

Tour buses, ride-sharing cars and taxis are directed to special drop-off points. 

For full access and transport details go to the official Qatar F1 site.