Lusail International Circuit — Local services in Al-Daayen

I cannot go into enough detail about why we chose to only use our 1st of 3 day tickets, except to say, bring your hiking boots, you will walk until you drop... the taxi rank is ridiculously far from any of the several entrances, they are not allowed to take you beyond the rank (there is only 1) and then you walk, and walk and walk to the security tents, then you walk and walk even more before you see an entrance gate... it was 40 degrees, howling with a gale and a blinding sandstorm was in progress when we approached Lusail, nobody gave us any incling of how far away from Doha it is, very far, the taxi cost 70 dirhams each way from Doha Corniche to the stadium! It was like being spit roasted in a air fryer, and we walked, and we walked. It was not over when we finally entered the grounds, OMG our tickets were called T2 which we had no clue what that meant, but we learned. . It is one of the furthest and most remote stands in the public area if the course. So darned far not one of the courtesy buggies would even consider going that far, Turn 2 is at the very back of the course and it took us over an hour to get even close.

I had a security guard actually arguing with the lazy ignorant buggy drivers who were having a cheeky smoke under the grandstand area to take us anywhere. For 90 minutes they made excuses after excuses to not take us, there were children, lone women and me with a disability which means I cannot walk, and they flatly refused to help. Eventually one came but explained that he was not allowed past a certain zone, which was just beyond where I found him but the security guard demanded that he did take me, he was not happy but a few threats pursuaded him.

This is their only purpose on course to take guests where they need to be, and considering the distance, heat and crowds it's disgusting that they get away with this. It cannot be allowed that they would deliberately strand or ignore vulnerable clients without transport, especially to the outlying stands.

This situation was even worse when we were ignored and made to walk over 3 miles back to the entrance after we had had enough. Disgusting behaviour, unacceptable.

We left early as we were thoroughly exhausted by our experience and we're too traumatized to even desire to use our 2nd and 3rd day passes. We stayed in town and watched on the big screen at our hotel as we could literally not face another experience. This meant that we wasted a fortune on tickets we could not use. We had a much better time watching from our hotel and went to the Geneva Motor Show instead, wonderful.

Shame on you Lusail, bad show, much room for...

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Lusail International Circuit - A Grand Spectacle of Speed and Entertainment

Currently hosting the 2023 MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, the Lusail International Circuit stands as a testament to thrilling motorsports and family-friendly entertainment. Here’s why it’s an unmissable experience:

Nighttime MotoGP Excitement: Being the only race in the MotoGP calendar held at night, the Lusail International Circuit adds a touch of magic to the racing experience. The floodlit track creates a captivating atmosphere, ensuring that every moment of the race is etched in your memory.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere: This year, the circuit welcomes families with open arms. Children under 12 enjoy free access for all three days when accompanied by an adult with a General Admission ticket. It’s a thoughtful touch that enhances the overall family-friendly atmosphere of the event.

Sprint Race Saturday: Adding a new dimension to the MotoGP weekend, Saturday features Sprint Race Saturday. This exhilarating addition, running half the distance of the main Grand Prix, promises double the action. It’s a must-watch, with only the top nine riders scoring crucial points.

Culmination Under the Lights: As Sunday arrives, witness the nail-biting climax of the MotoGP. The riders, under the iconic floodlights of Lusail International Circuit, pave their way to victory, delivering high-speed drama and spectacle.

Lusail International Circuit Highlights:

• Location: Just outside Lusail, north of Doha, Qatar • Track Length: 5.419 km with a main straight of 1.068 km • Inaugurated: 2004, hosting the first Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix the same year • Night Racing History: Introduced night racing in 2007, creating a unique and visually stunning experience • Expansive Renovation: Before the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix, the circuit underwent extensive renovations, upgrading facilities, and increasing capacity from 8,000 to 52,000. • Future Events: From 2024, the FIA World Endurance Championship is set to host its season opener at Losail, the Qatar 1812 km.

Our visit on Friday was nothing short of a great experience. The atmosphere, the roar of engines, and the sheer thrill of MotoGP racing under the lights at Lusail International Circuit are elements that make it an outstanding event for motorsports enthusiasts and families...

Yet another world-class facility in the making, but there is a LOT of room for improvement. This is Lusails 3rd F1 race and the lack of experience is showing.

First, the good points:

Lusail circuit is the newest among the F1 calendar and certainly has lots to brag about.

The seating in the grandstands is comfortable and spaced out nicely,

The stands are indicated well.

The spirals add to congestion management before and after the event.

The floodlit lighting is fantastic, giving HD views.

There are plenty of toilets and queues were not too long. The event was well organised.

Car parks are large, well marked and easy to navigate.

Improvement Points:

Security had mixed rules about certain things. Smoking IS permitted inside the fanzone but lighters are not??

Foods WERE allowed through security on days 1 and 2 but were refused on day 3?

Volunteers were ill-informed and shared confusing messages about locations and even lost property. These people should be trained better or even paid to care. Sole were seen sitting in the stands and even taking selfies rather than tend to visit guests.

The viewing screens need to be larger and less space between them.

There are no permanent food facilities yet, but that needs to be next on the list.

The variety of food on offer is poor and outlets need to be doubled for 2025. There were massive queues for food.

Food pricing needs review also!

There needs to be a consolidated app for maps, event schedule and tickets (these are currently separate).

Guests could not select seats or stands when booking! It was potentially luck where I ended up sitting.

The pit lane walk was separately advertised and only then on a limited basis. This is a standard add on for ALL 3 day ticket holders at EVERY other track.

There was very little seating area in the fan zone and people had to queue just to sit and eat.

There were not enough screens in the fanzone showing track action.

Exiting the arena is a one-way system and steers drivers to the north and around the arena, when most want to go south back to Doha. This creates mass traffic congestion southbound. Luckily I had a GPS to guide me.

I am a business transformation consultant and a continuous improvement programme manager. I'll be happy to discuss ways in which Lusail can become a better...