H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, paid an inspection tour to the Lusail Circuit Upgrade Project, which the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ started implementing last December as part of Qatar’s preparations to host the Qatar Grand Prix Formula 1 events to be held in Lusail Circuit in the period between the 6th and 8th of October 2023.
On this occasion, H.E. Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali, the Minister of Sports and Youth, stated that the Lusail Circuit will become a globally acclaimed venue capable of hosting all world competitions especially after increasing the capacity of the circuit, constructing new buildings on an area of 100,000 sqm, and enhancing the roads efficiency.
H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al -Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority, stated that the Lusail Circuit Upgrade Project contributes to hosting the most important international events through the implementation of a modern infrastructure according to the highest international specifications.
His Excellency added that the project will provide grandstands that can accommodate 40,000 spectators, and the number of parking will be increased to accommodate 10,000 cars, in addition to developing the surrounding and internal roads and improving the infrastructure of the circuit and associated facilities.
On his part, Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Mannai, President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation said that the Lusail Circuit Upgrade Project will provide a unique experience for Formula 1 fans and a great opportunity to enjoy the new version of Formula 1 sprints, which will be held for the first time in the region in addition to the main race, by providing advanced facilities, increasing the capacity of grandstands and car parking lots, providing easy access to the circuit and linking it to the main roads in the area.
The Lusail Circuit Upgrade Project is being implemented within 3 packages, which include the development of the racetrack, development and construction of buildings and associated facilities, in addition to development of roads surrounding the circuit and construction of infrastructure networks. All project works are scheduled to be completed in September 2023.
The first package of the project includes a wide range of development works to construct new buildings and develop the circuit’s facilities on an area of 100,000 sqm, in order to enhance the experience of the drivers, fans, and organizers. Works include renovating the main grandstand which accommodates 7,500 persons, renovating the reception building, in addition to implementing temporary grandstands with a capacity of 22,700 persons, guest grandstands with a capacity of 2,700 persons, a natural grandstand with a capacity of 2,100 persons, and a preparation building grandstand with a capacity of 5,000 persons
New main buildings will also be constructed, including race cars preparation buildings, hospitality building, media and health centres, in addition to the commentary, administrative, VIP and Al-Majlis buildings.
This package also includes the construction of the associated facilities such as the power stations, maintenance workshops building and the academy building.
Racetrack Development – Package 2
The project’s second package includes the development of the 5.3 km racetrack, including repaving and marking works, providing new pavements, installing barriers and safety equipment, and providing screens and lighting systems.
Works also include two tunnels South and North the Lusail Circuit, constructing a pedestrian tunnel, developing the VIP tunnel, in addition to constructing the fans parking with a capacity of 5,550 cars, and VIP parking that accommodates 1,450 cars.
Beautification works around the track will also be carried out, in addition to developing the circuit’s main gate and the surrounding fences. 180,000 sqm of green spaces will be implemented.
Infrastructure Development Works
The infrastructure works implemented within the project’s third package include the development of the stormwater drainage network of 19 km, groundwater drainage network of 14.6 km, drainage network of 5.9 km, in addition to the TSE network of 6 km which will be used in irrigation, and electricity lines of 35.6 km, as well as upgrading the communications lines.
Development of Roads Surrounding the Circuit – Package 3
The third package of the project includes the development of the interchanges and roads surrounding the Lusail Circuit and its internal roads at a length of 21 km, and linking them to the main road network.
It is worth mentioning that the first phase of the Lusail Circuit Upgrade Project had contributed to the success of Qatar Grand Prix held in March 2021, and the MotoGP World Championship hosted by Qatar in April of the same year. The development works in the current phase will contribute to preparing the Lusail Circuit to host larger events in parallel with Qatar's positioning as a global destination that attracts the most important sports events, after its success in hosting and organizing the largest global and regional sporting events with a high level of competence year after year and event after another.