For years, things on wheels fascinated me. Stack them side by side with incredible drivers or riders who push their machines to the absolute limit, and you have a spectacle. Last year, I got to experience one of my dreams come true as I watched the 2024 Qatar GP live. Oh, and did I mention that it was all for free? Yep.
Enter Grid Master, Asia’s first motorsport fantasy app.
It all started in March of 2024 when we conceptualised the “OFF 2” contests at Grid Master and came up with OFF 2 QATAR. The concept was simple: make your fantasy teams on Grid Master and get a chance to win a trip to Qatar if you are the top scorer. We ran OFF 2 QATAR contests from the Hungarian GP to the Sao Paulo GP. In the end, we had nine winners from nine contests, who then flew to Qatar with Grid Master.
Getting to Doha
My journey to Qatar began with an early morning flight to Doha via Abu Dhabi. Qatar has a VOA option for Indians, but I recommend an eVisa for peace of mind. Immigration was a breeze, and so was finding an Uber to our hotel.
After the winners got their hands on some Grid Master merch, we headed to Souq Waqif for a magical and peaceful evening on Thursday. The calm, slow, lively environment was almost anticlimactic for someone who’s accustomed to the chaos of Mumbai. While I loved the stillness, buying a SIM card and making it work quickly made me realise why the concept of “jugaad” is so alien in an orderly country like Qatar. I absolutely recommend Souq Waqif and a few nearby spots like the Intercontinental Hotel and Waldorf Astoria to catch a glimpse of your favourite driver and team crew.
On-track view
We first hit the track on Friday, and I had been warned by the people I met in Souq to leave early since roads would be closed and we might have to figure out diversions. This is something we listened to but didn’t really act on. This meant that the minor deviation, as warned, had us circle the same exit thrice and sigh louder each time. It was only after we asked the patrol van nearby that we finally made our way towards Lusail.
Dodgy start, but we made it.
Forget everything you know about how fast F1 cars are; it’s a different feeling in person. I spent the first 15 minutes trying to comprehend how much speed these modern F1 cars can take into corners. Qatar, this time, was incredibly chilly for someone who lives in Mumbai, and you could tell how the colder temperatures affected grip in the way the drivers negotiated a corner. There’s so much more to it than turning a wheel.
On Saturday, I watched FP2 from my designated T2 Grandstand. With a little help from a friend, we also figured out that we could watch qualifying from another view in the North Grandstand right opposite the pit exit, and we took a chance (and made it!). Unpopular opinion: it is the best seat in the house. Qatar on track was fun, although I wish they had more grandstands in S2 and S3 near the high-speed and technical sections. It would be remarkably fun to watch 20 fast drivers zoom by.
Apart from this, as a fan, there was a lot to explore. We made trips to the Red Bull lounge behind the main grandstand, the fan pitstop, podium pictures, and culture centres, which were a perfect window into the beautiful Arabic culture and more. As long as you are prepared to walk a lot, you’ll have a good time. I remember this culture station where the artist wrote the word of your choice in Arabic as a souvenir for you. That was a classy touch, and I ended up having souvenirs for home and office.
Nuts and bolts
The food was decent—not the best, not the worst. Some places made you wait longer and some were a breeze. Alternatively, you can order the food online and collect it from their pickup centres in about 30 minutes. Some found it convenient, some hated it. Depends on your individual experience. But I liked how the promoters tried to improve all aspects of the user experience. As a vegetarian, I was not extremely happy with the food and the limited options. I lowkey survived on pizza, fries, and coffee for most of the trip. Make sure to have a really heavy breakfast so you're sorted. There’s a Kailash Parbat in Doha, should you wish to cater to your Indian taste buds, and I unfortunately did not know this during my time there.
The queues in places were not the worst, although they could have been better managed, especially at the entry with all the security checks. Another very important note: if you ever plan to visit Qatar in November, please make sure to carry your sweaters and moisturisers because the wind gets really chilly and is absolutely bone dry. Your lips will complain first and foremost.
There is a lot to take in, both on track and off track, so make sure you reach early on the first day and figure out the dynamics and, most importantly, the logistics.
What worked?
Fortunately, most of it. The country welcomed us with open arms except for a couple of immigration officers. The weather was chilly, but I’m sure it would be pleasant for most of you. The logistics were a cakewalk. The hotel and the staff were superb. The track action was incredible with drama in the sprint, quali, and the race. Shoutout to the organisers for making this a sprint weekend plus having support races. I still remember the raw scream of the Porsches downshifting at T16 while we were at the fanzone.
Off track was equally fun. It works best if you ask a local and/or your hotel staff for recommendations. A special mention to all the volunteers and support staff at the track as well. I had some incredible conversations with a fair few of them, and I felt at home. I’d recommend not flying on Monday morning. It’s better to wait till the evening, rest, or have an extra 10 hours to explore the city. Also, buying a SIM is remarkably easy, so make sure you buy one for data for a smooth trip since the Wi-Fi at the track is poor.
What did not work?
Nothing is perfect, of course. One of my biggest complaints is the way back to the hotel at the end of the day. We had an Uber dropping us off from the hotel, but the crew had disallowed all Uber and taxi pickups from the track. That resulted in a queue for the bus to the nearest metro station. Walking to that queue from T2 grandstand was a 45-minute walk or more.
It was extremely convenient if you had a car. The car park is nearby and you can exit and reach the highway quickly unless you wanted to drive around the road and go to the Maroon 5 concert. It took us 45 minutes for a 1-kilometre journey because of lane closures and diversions.
The second qualm was unnecessary lane closures and diversions with no alternate routes instructed to the public. The on-duty patrol officers seemed equally lost when asked for directions. The ripple effect of this chaos is exorbitant Uber charges. The lowest we paid for a trip from Doha to Lusail, which is 30 km, was 55 QAR (INR 1300), and the highest clocked in at 128 QAR (INR 3100).
Another area of concern, although subjective, is the lack of internet at the track. I understand it’s not the most practical ask, but if at least the grandstands had decent access to the internet, it would have made our lives easier. I learnt it the hard way when I pulled up my phone and watched my battery sink to 3 percent and my data get exhausted.
Lastly, keep in mind that the trackside merch is insanely expensive and not worth it unless you’ve robbed a bank.
Wrapping up
As I was packing up, I couldn’t help but smile and hold back a tear for the past 96 hours I had spent in this country that welcomed us warmly. I waved goodbye to the receptionist, who gave me great recommendations for sightseeing in Qatar, and to the German lady I met at reception on the first day, who shared a similar passion for sports. I headed to the airport in the morning and landed in Mumbai on Monday—tired, out of words but full of joy.
If you ever plan on going to a race, give it your all. And remember, you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. Also, check out Grid Master to win F1 merch and race trips like this. See you on the track
About Grid Master
Grid Master is Asia’s first F1/motorsport focused daily fantasy app. Launched in 2024 by motorsport fans, for motorsport fans, Grid Master hosts Formula 1, motoGP and Formula E fantasy contests currently. With rewards ranging from official merch to live race experiences, Grid Master aims to redefine digital engagement for the sport, and turn viewers into active fans and reward their passion for the sport!
