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.
 Yas Marina Circuit (November 2021–present) | |
| Location | Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+04:00 |
| Coordinates | 24°28′2″N 54°36′11″E / 24.46722°N 54.60306°E |
| Capacity | 60,000 |
| FIA Grade |
|
| Owner | Government of Abu Dhabi |
| Operator | Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management |
| Broke ground | May 2007 |
| Opened | October 2009 |
| Construction cost | |
| Architect | Hermann Tilke |
| Major events | Current: 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) Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific (2016–2017, 2022–present) Radical World Finals (2024) 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) |
| Website | https://www.yasmarinacircuit.com |
| Grand Prix Circuit (November 2021–present) | |
| Length | 5.281 km (3.281 miles) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:26.103 ( Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, 2021, F1) |
| Corkscrew Circuit (November 2021–present) | |
| Length | 4.572 km (2.840 miles) |
| Turns | 18 |
| Race lap record | 1:42.446 ( Taylor Barnard, Tatuus F3 T-318, 2024, F-Regional) |
| North Circuit (November 2021–present) | |
| Length | 3.005 km (1.868 miles) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Race lap record | 1:02.180 ( Khaled Almarzouq, Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, 2024, Ferrari Challenge) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (October 2009–June 2021) | |
| Length | 5.554 km (3.451 miles) |
| Turns | 21 |
| Race lap record | 1:39.283 ( Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W10, 2019, F1) |
| Corkscrew Circuit (October 2009–June 2021) | |
| Length | 4.730 km (2.939 miles) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:37.656 ( Jules Bianchi, Dallara GP2/11, 2011, GP2) |
| North Circuit (October 2009–June 2021) | |
| Length | 3.130 km (1.945 miles) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:10.027 ( Olli Caldwell, Tatuus F4-T014, 2018, F4) |
| South Circuit (October 2009–June 2021) | |
| Length | 2.360 km (1.466 miles) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 0:59.572 ( Jonathan Aberdein, Tatuus F4-T014, 2017, F4) |
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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editAfter 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.[citation needed]
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 of 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
edit- Current
- January: 24H Series Middle East Trophy 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, UAE Procar Championship, Gulf Radical Cup
- February: Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Formula 4 UAE Championship, Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific
- November: Radical World Finals, UAE Procar Championship
- December: Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA Formula 2 Championship Yas Island Formula 2 round, Gulf 12 Hours, F1 Academy
- Former
- Audi R8 LMS Cup (2014)
- Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali (2014)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (2010–2011)
- FIA World Rallycross Championship
- World RX of Abu Dhabi (2019)
- Formula Regional Asian Championship (2020–2022)
- Formula Renault Eurocup (2019)
- GP2 Series (2010, 2013–2016)
- GP2 Asia Series (2009–2011)
- GP3 Series (2013–2018)
- Intercontinental GT Challenge
- Gulf 12 Hours (2022–2023)
- MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship (2015, 2017)
- Porsche Supercup (2009, 2011, 2013)
- TCR Middle East Series (2017–2019)
- Trofeo Maserati (2013–2015)
- V8 Supercars
- Yas Marina Circuit V8 Supercar Event (2010–2012)
Lap records
editAs of November 2024, the official fastest lap records at the Yas Marina Circuit are listed as:[23][24][25]
Gallery
edit-
The main straight
-
Turn 7 (October 2009–June 2021), Turn 5 (November 2021–present)
-
North Grandstand, seen from Abu Dhabi Hill
-
Grand Prix Circuit (October 2009–June 2021)
-
North circuit and south circuit layouts shown in Grand Prix Circuit track map (October 2009–June 2021)
-
World RX layout of Yas Marina Circuit, used in 2019
-
Differences between the 2009 and 2021 layouts, with the new layout in black
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Yas Marina Circuit – The Most Expensive Race Track in The World". SnapLap. 24 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Tilke GmbH – Projects – Category". tilke-ac.de. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Yas Marina Circuit construction progressing". gulfnews.com. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "GP2 race will officially open Yas Marina Circuit". Gulf News. Al Nisr Publishing. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Motorsport: Middle Eastern double-header for V8 Supercars". nzherald.co.nz. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi start confirmed". v8supercars.com.au. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Chaves wins inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour". cyclingnews.com. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ "LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS" (PDF). FIA. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ [dead link]
- ^ "Abu Dhabi breaks cover". Autosport. 194 (4): 10. October 2008.
- ^ "BBC: Shropshire's Formula 1 Connection". British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (9 October 2009). "Abu Dhabi track gets final FIA approval". Autosport. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
- ^ "Yas Marina chief Richard Cregan expects 'quality' weekend for 2013 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix - The National". thenational.ae. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ^ a b Jonathan Noble and Jamie O'Leary (30 October 2009). "Drivers praise Abu Dhabi circuit". Autosport.com. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - prologue". motorsportmagazine.com. 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi GP F1 track could be changed to improve overtaking". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Six reasons Abu Dhabi F1 races consistently disappoint". 13 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Verstappen wins season finale in Abu Dhabi". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Ricciardo calls for Abu Dhabi track change after "grim" race". GPfans. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi approves new layout plan for F1 track to improve racing". Autosport. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "REVEALED: The track changes aimed at improving overtaking at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit". Formula 1. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ Williams-Smith, Jake (22 June 2021). "Yas Marina set for circuit changes to aid overtaking at F1 finale". Motor Sport magazine. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Yas Marina Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Yas Marina Short Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ Natsoft Race Results
- ^ "Yas Marina Circuit". Formula1.com. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "2021 F2 Yas Marina Sprint Race 2 Statistics". 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "2024 Asian Le Mans Series - 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1 - Final Classification by Category" (PDF). 10 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "2022 Asian Le Mans Series - 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2 - Final Classification" (PDF). 20 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series Round 4 - Formula Regional Middle East Championship - Final Result - Race 1" (PDF). 20 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "12th Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours Race 2023 - Final Result" (PDF). 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series: Round 2 - 2022 F4 UAE Championship - Final Result - Race 2" (PDF). 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series Round 1 - 2024 Gulf Radical World Finals - Result Heat Race 2" (PDF). 9 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East - Final Result - Race 1" (PDF). 13 February 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Hankook 6H Abu Dhabi 2024 - Race Final Result per Class" (PDF). 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "10th Gulf 12 Hours 2022 - Ferrari Challenge - Final Result 3" (PDF). 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club - Gulf ProCar - Final Result Race - 7 - 8 January 2023" (PDF). 7 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Hankook 6H Abu Dhabi 2023 - Clio Cup Middle East - Final Result - Race 1" (PDF). 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series Round 3 - Formula Regional Middle East Championship - Final Result - Race 2" (PDF). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series Round 3 - Formula 4 UAE - Final Result - Race 1" (PDF). 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series Round 3 - Clio Cup Middle East - Result Race 1" (PDF). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Yas Motor Racing Club Rd2 - Jan. 5-7, 2024 - Gulf Procar - Result Race 2" (PDF). 6 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Gulf ProCar 2023/24 Standings as Race 3" (PDF). Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club Rd2 - Jan. 5-7, 2024 - Gulf Radical Cup - Result Sprint Race 1" (PDF). 6 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club - 10–12 March 2023 - Gulf Procar - Final Result Race 1" (PDF). 11 March 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club - 10–12 March 2023 - Gulf Procar - Final Result Race 3" (PDF). 11 March 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club Rd2- Jan. 5-7, 2024 - Clio Cup Middle East - Result Race 1" (PDF). 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "2010 Abu Dhabi GP2 - Round 20". Motor Sport Magazine. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ a b "4 Hours of Abu Dhabi - Best laptimes per driver - Race 2" (PDF). 20 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "4 Hours of Abu Dhabi - Best laptimes per driver - Race 1" (PDF). 19 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "2020 Asian Formula 3 Yas Marina (Race 1)". 17 January 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "FIA GT1 World Championship Abu Dhabi 2010". 17 April 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ "7th Gulf 12 Hours 2017 - MRF Challenge - Final Results - Race 4" (PDF). 15 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series - Round 3 - Race 1 - Final Results" (PDF). 2 February 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East 30 January - 1 February 2020 - Final Results - Race 1" (PDF). 31 January 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "4th Gulf 12 Hours 2014 - Audi R8 LMS Cup – Race 1 - Result" (PDF). 12 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "2012 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi V8 Grand Prix #3". 4 November 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "2014 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli - Abu Dhabi - World Final (40') - Final Classification" (PDF). 6 December 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Yas Racing Series: Round 3 - 31 January - 3 February 2018 - Radical Middle East Cup - Final Results - Race 1" (PDF). 2 February 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Gulf 12 Hours 2013 - Trofeo Maserati – Race 2 - Result" (PDF). 12 December 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "8th Gulf 12 Hours 2018 Part 2 - Fastest Lap Times of All Drivers" (PDF). 15 December 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "10 - 11/02/2017 ABU DHABI". 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "2011 Abu Dhabi GP2 Asia". Motor Sport Magazine. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "FIA GT1 World Championship Abu Dhabi 2011". 26 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ "2021 Asian Formula 3 Yas Marina (Race 1)". 4 February 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "UAE GT Yas Marina 2011". 16 December 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Formula 4 UAE - 4-7 February 2021 - Race 3 - Final Results" (PDF). 6 February 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "2011 Yas V8 400 #2". 12 February 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club Jan 2018 - Formula 4 UAE - Race 2 - Final Results" (PDF). 20 January 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "16 - 17/01/2020 ABU DHABI". Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Yas Motor Racing Club 9–11 March - Formula 4 UAE - Race 1 - Final Results" (PDF). 10 March 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.