| Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan | |
| Location: | Marrakech, Morocco |
| Coordinates: | 31.5864°N -7.9861°W |
| Fiagrade: | 2 |
| Capacity: | 10,000 |
| Architect: | D3 Motorsport Development |
| Operator: | MGP (2009–present) |
| Events: | Current: TCR World Tour (2024) Former: Formula E Marrakesh ePrix (2016, 2018–2020, 2022) FIA WTCR Race of Morocco (2009–2010, 2012–2019) Auto GP (2012–2014) FIA Formula Two (2010) |
| Layout1: | Permanent Circuit (2016–present) |
| Surface: | Asphalt |
| Length Km: | 1.701 |
| Length Mi: | 1.057 |
| Turns: | 11 |
| Record Time: | 0:50.613 |
| Record Driver: |  Ma Qinghua |
| Record Car: | Lynk & Co 03 FL TCR |
| Record Year: | 2024 |
| Record Class: | TCR |
| Layout2: | Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–2022) |
| Surface2: | Asphalt |
| Length Km2: | 2.971 |
| Length Mi2: | 1.846 |
| Turns2: | 14 |
| Record Time2: | 1:20.296 |
| Record Driver2: |  Lucas di Grassi |
| Record Car2: | Audi e-tron FE05 |
| Record Year2: | 2019 |
| Record Class2: | F-E |
| Layout3: | Original Street Circuit (2009–2015) |
| Surface3: | Asphalt |
| Length Km3: | 4.545 |
| Length Mi3: | 2.824 |
| Turns3: | 15 |
| Record Time3: | 1:28.450 |
| Record Driver3: |  Narain Karthikeyan |
| Record Car3: | Lola B05/52 |
| Record Year3: | 2013 |
| Record Class3: | Auto GP |
The Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan (also known as Marrakech Street Circuit and Marrakech Racetrack) is a semi-permanent street circuit in Agdal district, Marrakech, Morocco.[1] The circuit is operated by MGP.[2] It has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.
MGP's partner in Morocco, D3 Motorsport Development, was given the responsibility of the design of the street circuit. It is the same architect company that designed the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit in Australia.[3] Groupe Menara oversaw the construction on the Route de l'Ourika/Boulevard Mohammed based track.[2] The paddock had been paved alongside the walls of the Royal Garden and more than 2,500 concrete impact blocks and many debris fence panels had been put in place to bound the track.[1]
The third round of the 2009 WTCC season was held there on 3 May 2009, becoming the first international car race in Morocco since the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix at the Ain-Diab Circuit in Casablanca and the first event for the WTCC in Africa.[4]
The original circuit had a very simple layout. It was a 4.545km (02.824miles) flat oval circuit with a hairpin at one end and chicanes punctuating the straights, running in an anticlockwise direction.[3] In December 2015, it was announced the circuit would undergo a major overhaul to make it more challenging. Only half of the original circuit was utilized when the new layout came into effect for the 2016 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco.[5]
As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Circuit: 1.701 km (2016–present) | ||||
| 0:50.613[6] | 2024 Marrakesh TCR World Tour round | |||
| Semi-Permanent Circuit: 2.971 km (2016–2022) | ||||
| 1:20.296 | 2019 Marrakesh ePrix | |||
| 1:23.087[7] | 2016 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco | |||
| 1:26.150[8] | 2018 FIA WTCR Race of Morocco | |||
| Original Street Circuit: 4.545 km (2009–2015) | ||||
| 1:28.450[9] | 2013 Marrakech Auto GP round | |||
| 1:31.312 | 2010 Marrakech Formula Two round | |||
| 1:43.480[10] | 2015 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco | |||
| 1:44.617[11] | 2012 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco | |||
| Year | Race | Driver | Manufacturer | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Race 1 |  Esteban Guerrieri |  Honda | Report |
| Race 2 |  Gabriele Tarquini |  Hyundai | ||
| Race 3 |  Thed Björk | Lynk & Co | ||
| 2018 | Race 1 | Gabriele Tarquini | Hyundai | Report |
| Race 2 |  Jean Karl Vernay | Audi | ||
| Race 3 | Gabriele Tarquini | Hyundai | ||
| Year | Race | Driver | Manufacturer | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Race 1 | Esteban Guerrieri |  Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Tiago Monteiro | Honda | ||
| 2016 | Race 1 |  Tom Coronel | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | José María López | Citroën | ||
| 2015 | Race 1 | José María López | Citroën | Report |
| Race 2 | Yvan Muller | Citroën | ||
| 2014 | Race 1 | José María López | Citroën | Report |
| Race 2 | Sébastien Loeb | Citroën | ||
| 2013 | Race 1 |  Michel Nykjær | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 |  Pepe Oriola | SEAT | ||
| 2012 | Race 1 | Alain Menu | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Yvan Muller | Chevrolet | ||
| 2010 | Race 1 | Gabriele Tarquini | SEAT | Report |
| Race 2 |  Andy Priaulx | BMW | ||
| 2009 | Race 1 | Robert Huff | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Nicola Larini | Chevrolet |
| Year | Race | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Race 1 | Kimiya Sato | Euronova Racing |
| Race 2 | Markus Pommer | Super Nova International | |
| 2013 | Race 1 | Sergio Campana | Ibiza Racing Team |
| Race 2 | Luciano Bacheta |  Zele Racing | |
| 2012 | Race 1 | Sergio Campana | Team MLR71 |
| Race 2 |  Chris van der Drift | Manor MP Motorsport |
Formula 1, recognized globally as the pinnacle of automotive racing sports, is exploring new horizons, potentially including Morocco in its high-speed saga.[12] Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula 1 Group, has revealed ongoing discussions to host a Grand Prix event in Africa, pinpointing North Africa and South Africa, alongside considerations for two countries in the Far East. Morocco emerges as a frontrunner in this expansion strategy, given its historical ties to Formula 1 and its fusion of rich cultural heritage with captivating urban landscapes. This move marks a significant step in Formula 1's global outreach, promising to blend the thrill of racing with Morocco's scenic beauty and cultural depth.
