Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit (November 2021–present)
LocationYas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time zoneUTC+04:00
Coordinates24°28′2″N 54°36′11″E / 24.46722°N 54.60306°E / 24.46722; 54.60306
Capacity60,000
FIA Grade
  • 1 (GP layout)
  • 2 (corkscrew layout)
OwnerGovernment of Abu Dhabi
OperatorAbu Dhabi Motorsports Management
Broke groundMay 2007 (2007-05)
OpenedOctober 2009 (2009-10)
Construction cost
ArchitectHermann Tilke
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula One
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (2009–present)
Gulf 12 Hours (2013–2019, 2022–present)
Asian Le Mans Series (2021–present)
24H Series Middle East Trophy (2023–present)
Former:
FIA World RX
World RX of Abu Dhabi (2019)
Intercontinental GT Challenge (2022–2023)
FIA GT1 World Championship (2010–2011)
V8 Supercars Yas Marina Circuit V8 Supercar Event (2010–2012)
Websitehttps://www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Grand Prix Circuit
(November 2021–present)
Length5.281 km (3.281 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:26.103 (Netherlands Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, 2021, F1)
Corkscrew Circuit
(November 2021–present)
Length4.572 km (2.840 miles)
Turns18
Race lap record1:42.446 (United Kingdom Taylor Barnard, Tatuus F3 T-318, 2024, F-Regional)
North Circuit
(November 2021–present)
Length3.005 km (1.868 miles)
Turns8
Race lap record1:02.180 (Kuwait Khaled Almarzouq, Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, 2024, Ferrari Challenge)
Grand Prix Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length5.554 km (3.451 miles)
Turns21
Race lap record1:39.283 (United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W10, 2019, F1)
Corkscrew Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length4.730 km (2.939 miles)
Turns19
Race lap record1:37.656 (France Jules Bianchi, Dallara GP2/11, 2011, GP2)
North Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length3.130 km (1.945 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record1:10.027 (United Kingdom Olli Caldwell, Tatuus F4-T014, 2018, F4)
South Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length2.360 km (1.466 miles)
Turns12
Race lap record0:59.572 (South Africa Jonathan Aberdein, Tatuus F4-T014, 2017, F4)

The Yas Marina Circuit (Arabic: حلبة مرسى ياس) is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke,[2][3] and is situated on Yas Island, near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Yas Marina was the second of four Formula One tracks in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain and subsequent tracks in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. A two-day GP2 Asia Series test was held to officially open the circuit, which was held a week before the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[4] It also hosted V8 Supercars between 2010 and 2012, with the event being the opening round in 2010 and 2011.[5][6] Outside motorsport the circuit was used for the final stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour cycle race in 2015.[7] The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 license.[8]

Design

A satellite image of the circuit, as it appeared in 2018

The circuit is located on Yas Island, a headland that was cut off from the mainland by a canal. It has sixteen corners and several straights,[9] and passes by the marina and through the Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi designed by New York-based architects Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote Architecture with a facade lighting design by Rogier van der Heide.

The circuit has five grandstand areas (Main Grandstand, West Grandstand, North Grandstand, South Grandstand, and Marina Grandstand) and part of its pit lane exit runs underneath the track. It also houses a team building behind the pit building, Media Center, Dragster Track and VIP Tower.[10] Additionally, one of the run-off areas runs underneath the West grandstand.

This changed when the previous turns 4, 5 and 6 were redesigned and the previous turns 11, 12 and 13 were also reconfigured in time for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

  • Seating Capacity – 60,000
  • Area – 161.9 ha (400 acres)
  • Length – 5.281 km (3.281 mi)
  • Longest straight – 1.14 km (0.71 mi)
  • Elevation change – 10.7 m (35 ft)

Construction

The circuit was built by main contractor Cebarco-WCT WLL, under contract from developer Aldar Properties. Among the sub-contractors involved were KOH AH HING (KAHBINA) from Malaysia (structural contractor), as well as specialised subcontractors like Voltas (MEP), PKE-Siemens (MEP), Able-Middle East (earthworks), Hamilton International (interior) and Bau Bickhardt (track) to name a few.

The circuit was constructed with a permanent lighting system provided by Musco Lighting, similar to the one installed at Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Yas Marina Circuit is the largest permanent sports venue lighting project in the world; previously the title had been held by Losail International Circuit.

The surface of the track is made of graywacke aggregate, shipped to Abu Dhabi from a Bayston Hill quarry in Shropshire, England. The surface material is highly acclaimed by circuit bosses and Formula One drivers for the high level of grip it offers, though at the expense of a higher rate of tyre wear. The same aggregate material is used at the Bahrain International Circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix.[11]

On 7 October 2009, the circuit was granted final approval to hold Formula One races by the FIA.[12] Bruno Senna was the first driver to complete a test run on the circuit.

GP3 visited Abu Dhabi for the first time at the end of the 2013 season.[13]

Reception

After the first practice sessions at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the circuit was welcomed by the drivers, with Nico Rosberg commenting that every corner was 'unique',[14] while double World Champion Fernando Alonso echoed his sentiments, stating that it was enjoyable because there was always something to do. Force India's Adrian Sutil rated the circuit as being better than Formula One's other night race in Singapore as he felt there was too much light at Marina Bay.

Not all of the drivers were complimentary, with Giancarlo Fisichella expressing a particular dislike of the pit exit, which dips under the main circuit by way of a tunnel. Although the pit exit remained free of incidents for the early practice sessions, Fisichella claimed that it was both very difficult and dangerous.[14] Kimi Räikkönen notoriously gave his thoughts on the circuit, stating "the first few turns are quite good, but the rest of it is shit".[15]

After the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the designer Hermann Tilke said that they were considering making changes to the track to present more overtaking opportunities.[16] BBC Sport's Andrew Benson called the racing in the 2020 event "dreary" with Matt Beer of The Race naming the track layout as one of 6 reasons why the races in Abu Dhabi "consistently disappoint".[17][18] Drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo have also added their support for track changes.[19]

In June 2021, Saif Al Noaimi, acting CEO Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, said modifications to the track's layout had been approved, with the modifications completed in time for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[20] Turns 4, 5, and 6 were replaced by a single, less severe hairpin, turns 11 through 14 were replaced by a sweeping banked curve, and turns 18 through 20 were made less tight to allow more speed to be carried through them.[21][22]

Events

Current
Former

Lap records

As of January 2024, the official fastest lap records at the Yas Marina Circuit are listed as:[23][24][25]

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit (November 2021–present): 5.281 km
F11:26.103[26]Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing RB16B2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
FIA F21:37.445[27]Roy NissanyDallara F2 20182021 Abu Dhabi Formula 2 round
LMP21:40.913[28]Paul di RestaOreca 072022 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1
LMP31:48.198[29]Laurents HörrDuqueine M30 D-082022 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2
Formula Regional1:50.698[30]Isack HadjarTatuus F3 T-3182022 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula Regional Asian Championship round
GT31:51.291[31]Maro EngelMercedes-AMG GT3 Evo2023 Gulf 12 Hours
Formula 41:54.671[32]Andrea Kimi AntonelliTatuus F4-T4212022 1st Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
Porsche Carrera Cup1.55.546[33]Bandar AlesayiPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup2022 Abu Dhabi Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round
Ferrari Challenge1:56.889[34]Christian BrunsborgFerrari 488 Challenge Evo2022 Abu Dhabi Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific round
Gulf Radical Cup1:57.618[35]George KingRadical SR32022 1st Abu Dhabi Gulf Radical Cup round
GT42:03.461[36]Khaled AlahmadiPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport2022 Abu Dhabi Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round
TCR Touring Car2:06.197[37]Alexandros AnnivasCUPRA León TCR2023 1st Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
Renault Clio Cup2:16.338[38]Jerzy SpinkiewiczRenault Clio R.S. V2023 2nd Abu Dhabi Renault Clio Cup Middle East round
Corkscrew Circuit (November 2021–present): 4.572 km
Formula Regional1:42.446[39]Taylor BarnardTatuus F3 T-3182024 1st Abu Dhabi Formula Regional Middle East Championship round
Formula 41:47.290[40]Kean Nakamura-BertaTatuus F4-T4212024 1st Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
Renault Clio Cup2:06.357[41]Stanislav NovikovRenault Clio R.S. V2024 2nd Abu Dhabi Renault Clio Cup Middle East round
North Circuit (November 2021–present): 3.005 km
Ferrari Challenge1:02.180[42]Khaled AlmarzouqFerrari 488 Challenge Evo[43]2024 Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
Gulf Radical Cup1:04.194[44]Luke HiltonRadical SR32024 1st Abu Dhabi Gulf Radical Cup round
GT41:06.277[42]Keith GatehouseMercedes-AMG GT4[43]2024 Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
Porsche Carrera Cup1:06.996[45]Mohammed Al HammadiPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup2023 2nd Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
TCR Touring Car1:08.599[46]René MünnichHonda Civic Type R TCR (FK8)2023 2nd Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
Renault Clio Cup1:15.411[47]Ilya SidorovRenault Clio R.S. V2024 1st Abu Dhabi Renault Clio Cup Middle East round
Grand Prix Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 5.554 km
F11:39.283[23]Lewis HamiltonMercedes AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
FIA F21:50.314Alexander AlbonDallara GP2/112017 Abu Dhabi Formula 2 round
GP21:50.110[23][48]Giedo van der GardeDallara GP2/082010 Abu Dhabi GP2 round
LMP21:56.560[49]Franco ColapintoAurus 012021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2
GP31:56.888[23]Marvin KirchhöferDallara GP3/132014 Abu Dhabi GP3 round
LMP32:05.165[50]Malthe JakobsenLigier JS P3202021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1
Formula Regional2:07.324[51]Jamie ChadwickTatuus F3 T-3182020 Abu Dhabi F3 Asia round
GT12:07.376[52]Thomas MutschMatech Ford GT12010 Abu Dhabi FIA GT1 round
GT32:08.791[49]Ben BarnicoatMcLaren 720S GT32021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2
MRF Challenge2:10.674[53]Felipe DrugovichDallara Formulino Pro2017 Abu Dhabi MRF Challenge round
Formula 42:11.046[54]Charles WeertsTatuus F4-T0142018 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
Porsche Carrera Cup2:11.371[55]Dylan PereiraPorsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup2020 Abu Dhabi Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round
V8 Supercars2.13.1600[23][56]Jamie WhincupHolden VE Commodore2012 Abu Dhabi V8 Supercar round
Ferrari Challenge2:15.130[57]Philipp BaronFerrari 458 Challenge Evo2014 Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali
Radical Middle East Cup2.15.229[58]Jani HjerppeRadical SR32018 1st Abu Dhabi Radical Middle East Cup round
GT42:21.240[59]Olli CaldwellMercedes-AMG GT42018 Gulf 12 Hours
TCR Touring Car2:21.896[60]Josh FilesHonda Civic Type R TCR (FK2)2017 Abu Dhabi TCR Middle East round
Short (Corkscrew) Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 4.730 km
GP21:37.656[24][61]Charles PicDallara GP2/112011 Abu Dhabi GP2 Asia round
GT11:52.431[62]Maxime MartinMatech Ford GT12011 Abu Dhabi FIA GT1 round
Formula Regional1:53.432[63]Jehan DaruvalaTatuus F3 T-3182021 1st Abu Dhabi F3 Asian Championship round
GT31:56.203[24][64]Rob BarffFerrari 458 Italia GT32011 3rd Yas Marina UAE GT round
Formula 41:57.198[65]Dilano van 't HoffTatuus F4-T0142021 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
V8 Supercars1:57.7400[24][66]Jason BargwannaHolden VE Commodore2011 Yas V8 400
North Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 3.130 km
Formula 41:10.027[67]Olli CaldwellTatuus F4-T0142018 1st Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
TCR Touring Car1:14.778[68]Luca EngstlerVolkswagen Golf GTI TCR2018 Abu Dhabi TCR Middle East round
South Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 2.360 km
Formula 40:59.572[69]Jonathan AberdeinTatuus F4-T0142017 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round

See also

References

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