Yas Marina Circuit Explained

Yas Marina Circuit
Location:Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Coordinates:24.4672°N 54.6031°W
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)
Owner:Government of Abu Dhabi
Operator:Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management
Capacity:60,000
Architect:Hermann Tilke
Layout1:Grand Prix Circuit
(November 2021–present)
Length Km:5.281
Length Mi:3.281
Turns:16
Record Time:1:26.103
Record Driver: Max Verstappen
Record Car:Red Bull Racing RB16B
Record Year:2021
Record Class:F1
Layout2:Corkscrew Circuit
(November 2021–present)
Length Km2:4.572
Length Mi2:2.840
Turns2:18
Record Time2:1:42.446
Record Driver2: Taylor Barnard
Record Car2:Tatuus F3 T-318
Record Year2:2024
Record Class2:F-Regional
Layout3:North Circuit
(November 2021–present)
Length Km3:3.005
Length Mi3:1.868
Turns3:8
Record Time3:1:02.180
Record Driver3: Khaled Almarzouq
Record Car3:Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo
Record Year3:2024
Record Class3:Ferrari Challenge
Layout4:Grand Prix Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length Km4:5.554
Length Mi4:3.451
Turns4:21
Record Time4:1:39.283
Record Driver4: Lewis Hamilton
Record Car4:Mercedes W10
Record Year4:2019
Record Class4:F1
Layout5:Corkscrew Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length Km5:4.730
Length Mi5:2.939
Turns5:19
Record Time5:1:37.656
Record Driver5: Jules Bianchi
Record Car5:Dallara GP2/11
Record Year5:2011
Record Class5:GP2
Layout6:North Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length Km6:3.130
Length Mi6:1.945
Turns6:10
Record Time6:1:10.027
Record Driver6: Olli Caldwell
Record Car6:Tatuus F4-T014
Record Year6:2018
Record Class6:F4
Layout7:South Circuit
(October 2009–June 2021)
Length Km7:2.360
Length Mi7:1.466
Turns7:12
Record Time7:0:59.572
Record Driver7: Jonathan Aberdein
Record Car7:Tatuus F4-T014
Record Year7:2017
Record Class7: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,[1] [2] 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.[3] It also hosted V8 Supercars between 2010 and 2012, with the event being the opening round in 2010 and 2011.[4] [5] Outside motorsport, the circuit was used for the final stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour cycle race in 2015.[6] The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 license.[7]

Design

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, 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.[8] 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.

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), Bau Bickhardt (track), and M.K. Almahri (Digital Systems) 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.[9]

On 7 October 2009, the circuit was granted final approval to hold Formula One races by the FIA.[10] 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.[11]

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',[12] 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.[12] Kimi Räikkönen notoriously gave his thoughts on the circuit, stating "The first few turns are quite good, but the rest of it is shit".[13]

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.[14] 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".[15] [16] Drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo have also added their support for track changes.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19] [20]

Events

Current
Former

Lap records

As of November 2024, the official fastest lap records at the Yas Marina Circuit are listed as:[21] [22] [23]

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit (November 2021–present): 5.281 km
1:26.103[24] 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
1:37.445[25] 2021 Abu Dhabi Formula 2 round
1:40.725[26] 2024 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1
1:48.198[27] 2022 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2
1:50.632[28] 2024 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula Regional Middle East Championship round
1:51.291[29] 2023 Gulf 12 Hours
1:54.671[30] 2022 1st Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
1:54.840[31] 2024 Gulf Radical World Finals
1.55.546[32] 2022 Abu Dhabi Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East round
1:56.478[33] 2024 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi
1:56.889[34] 2022 Abu Dhabi Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific round
2:03.224 2024 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi
2:06.197[35] 2023 1st Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
2:16.338[36] 2023 2nd Abu Dhabi Renault Clio Cup Middle East round
Corkscrew Circuit (November 2021–present): 4.572 km
1:42.446[37] 2024 1st Abu Dhabi Formula Regional Middle East Championship round
1:47.290[38] 2024 1st Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
2:06.357[39] 2024 2nd Abu Dhabi Renault Clio Cup Middle East round
North Circuit (November 2021–present): 3.005 km
1:02.180[40] Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo[41] 2024 1st Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
1:04.194[42] 2024 1st Abu Dhabi Gulf Radical Cup round
1:06.277 2024 1st Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
1:06.996[43] 2023 2nd Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
1:08.599[44] 2023 2nd Abu Dhabi NGK UAE ProCar Championship round
1:12.509[45] 2024 Abu Dhabi DSBK round
1:15.411[46] 2024 1st Abu Dhabi Renault Clio Cup Middle East round
Grand Prix Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 5.554 km
1:39.283 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
1:50.314 2017 Abu Dhabi Formula 2 round
1:50.110[47] 2010 Abu Dhabi GP2 round
1:56.560[48] 2021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2
1:56.888 2014 Abu Dhabi GP3 round
2:05.165[49] 2021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1
2:07.324[50] 2020 Abu Dhabi F3 Asia round
2:07.376[51] 2010 Abu Dhabi FIA GT1 round
2:08.791 2021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2
2:10.674[52] 2017 Abu Dhabi MRF Challenge round
2:11.046[53] 2018 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
2:11.371[54]
2:12.246[55] 2014 Abu Dhabi Audi R8 LMS Cup round
2.13.160[56] 2012 Abu Dhabi V8 Supercar round
2:15.130[57] 2014 Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali
2.15.229[58] 2018 1st Abu Dhabi Radical Middle East Cup round
2:18.823[59] 2013 Abu Dhabi Trofeo Maserati Corse World Series round
2:21.240[60] 2018 Gulf 12 Hours
2:21.896[61] 2017 Abu Dhabi TCR Middle East round
Short (Corkscrew) Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 4.730 km
1:37.656[62] 2011 Abu Dhabi GP2 Asia round
1:52.431[63] 2011 Abu Dhabi FIA GT1 round
1:53.432[64] 2021 1st Abu Dhabi F3 Asian Championship round
1:56.203[65] 2011 3rd Yas Marina UAE GT round
1:57.198[66] 2021 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
1:57.740[67] 2011 Yas V8 400
North Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 3.130 km
1:10.027[68] 2018 1st Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
1:14.778[69] 2018 Abu Dhabi TCR Middle East round
South Circuit (October 2009–June 2021): 2.360 km
0:59.572[70] 2017 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Tilke GmbH – Projects – Category . tilke-ac.de . 29 October 2009 . 30 October 2009.
  2. News: Yas Marina Circuit construction progressing . gulfnews.com . 29 October 2009 . 30 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090129145657/http://www.gulfnews.com/Sport/Motor_Racing/10244440.html . 29 January 2009 . dmy-all .
  3. News: GP2 race will officially open Yas Marina Circuit . Gulf News . Al Nisr Publishing . 12 August 2009 . 12 August 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090815231558/http://www.gulfnews.com/sport/Motor_Racing/10339863.html . 15 August 2009 . dmy-all .
  4. News: Motorsport: Middle Eastern double-header for V8 Supercars . nzherald.co.nz . 29 October 2009 . 30 October 2009.
  5. News: Abu Dhabi start confirmed . v8supercars.com.au . 29 October 2009 . 30 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090914045535/http://www.v8supercars.com.au/content/hero%5Fnews/september%5F2009/abu%5Fdhabi%5Fstart%5Fconfirmed/ . 14 September 2009 . dmy-all .
  6. Web site: Chaves wins inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour . . 11 October 2015 . . 11 October 2015.
  7. Web site: LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS. 6 February 2015. FIA. 28 May 2015.
  8. October 2008 . Abu Dhabi breaks cover . . 194 . 4 . 10 .
  9. News: BBC: Shropshire's Formula 1 Connection. 30 October 2009. British Broadcasting Corporation . 30 October 2009.
  10. News: Abu Dhabi track gets final FIA approval. Jonathan. Noble. 9 October 2009. 9 October 2009. Autosport.
  11. Web site: Yas Marina chief Richard Cregan expects 'quality' weekend for 2013 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix - The National. thenational.ae. 30 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20130526184926/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/formula-one/abu-dhabi-grand-prix/yas-marina-chief-richard-cregan-expects-quality-weekend-for-2013-abu-dhabi-f1-grand-prix. 26 May 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  12. News: Drivers praise Abu Dhabi circuit. Jonathan Noble and Jamie O'Leary. Autosport.com. 30 October 2009. 31 October 2009.
  13. Web site: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - prologue. https://web.archive.org/web/20160120131648/http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/abu-dhabi-grand-prix-prologue/. 20 January 2016. motorsportmagazine.com. 31 October 2013. 8 September 2014.
  14. News: Abu Dhabi GP F1 track could be changed to improve overtaking. Sky Sports. 2017-11-28. en.
  15. Web site: Six reasons Abu Dhabi F1 races consistently disappoint. 13 December 2020. 16 December 2020.
  16. News: Verstappen wins season finale in Abu Dhabi. BBC Sport. 16 December 2020.
  17. Web site: Ricciardo calls for Abu Dhabi track change after "grim" race. GPfans. 14 December 2020 . 16 December 2020.
  18. News: Abu Dhabi approves new layout plan for F1 track to improve racing. Autosport. June 21, 2021. June 21, 2021. en.
  19. News: REVEALED: The track changes aimed at improving overtaking at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit . 24 June 2021 . Formula 1 . 24 June 2021.
  20. News: Yas Marina set for circuit changes to aid overtaking at F1 finale . . 22 June 2021 . 6 July 2021 . Williams-Smith . Jake.
  21. Web site: Yas Marina Fastest Lap Comparison . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227233045/https://www.driverdb.com/circuits/fastestlaps/yas-marina/ . 27 February 2023 . 10 December 2023.
  22. Web site: Yas Marina Short Fastest Lap Comparison . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227204501/https://www.driverdb.com/circuits/fastestlaps/yas-marina-short/ . 27 February 2023 . 10 December 2023.
  23. http://racing.natsoft.com.au/results/#1 Natsoft Race Results
  24. Web site: Yas Marina Circuit . Formula1.com . 12 December 2021 . 12 December 2021.
  25. Web site: 2021 F2 Yas Marina Sprint Race 2 Statistics . 11 December 2021 . 11 December 2021.
  26. Web site: 2024 Asian Le Mans Series - 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1 - Final Classification by Category . 10 February 2024 . 11 February 2024.
  27. Web site: 2022 Asian Le Mans Series - 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 2 - Final Classification . 20 February 2022 . 9 April 2022.
  28. Web site: Yas Racing Series Round 4 - Formula Regional Middle East Championship - Final Result - Race 1 . 20 January 2024 . 21 January 2024.
  29. Web site: 12th Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours Race 2023 - Final Result . 10 December 2023 . 10 December 2023.
  30. Web site: Yas Racing Series: Round 2 - 2022 F4 UAE Championship - Final Result - Race 2 . 22 January 2022 . 22 January 2022.
  31. Web site: Yas Racing Series Round 1 - 2024 Gulf Radical World Finals - Result Heat Race 2 . 9 November 2024 . 10 November 2024.
  32. Web site: 2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East - Final Result - Race 1 . 13 February 2022 . 19 November 2022.
  33. Web site: Hankook 6H Abu Dhabi 2024 - Race Final Result per Class . 21 January 2024 . 21 January 2024.
  34. Web site: 10th Gulf 12 Hours 2022 - Ferrari Challenge - Final Result 3 . 8 January 2022 . 8 January 2022.
  35. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club - Gulf ProCar - Final Result Race - 7 - 8 January 2023 . 7 January 2023 . 15 January 2023.
  36. Web site: Hankook 6H Abu Dhabi 2023 - Clio Cup Middle East - Final Result - Race 1 . 21 January 2023 . 21 January 2023.
  37. Web site: Yas Racing Series Round 3 - Formula Regional Middle East Championship - Final Result - Race 2 . 14 January 2024 . 14 January 2024.
  38. Web site: Yas Racing Series Round 3 - Formula 4 UAE - Final Result - Race 1 . 13 January 2024 . 13 January 2024.
  39. Web site: Yas Racing Series Round 3 - Clio Cup Middle East - Result Race 1 . 14 January 2024 . 14 January 2024.
  40. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club Rd2 - Jan. 5-7, 2024 - Gulf Procar - Result Race 2 . 6 January 2024 . 7 January 2024.
  41. Web site: Gulf ProCar 2023/24 Standings as Race 3 . 7 January 2024.
  42. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club Rd2 - Jan. 5-7, 2024 - Gulf Radical Cup - Result Sprint Race 1 . 6 January 2024 . 7 January 2024.
  43. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club - 10–12 March 2023 - Gulf Procar - Final Result Race 1 . 11 March 2023 . 14 January 2024.
  44. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club - 10–12 March 2023 - Gulf Procar - Final Result Race 3 . 11 March 2023 . 14 January 2024.
  45. Web site: 2024 Yas Racing Series Round 1 - DSBK Middle East Championship - Result Race 1 . 10 November 2024 . 23 November 2024.
  46. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club Rd2- Jan. 5-7, 2024 - Clio Cup Middle East - Result Race 1 . 7 January 2024 . 7 January 2024.
  47. Web site: 2010 Abu Dhabi GP2 - Round 20 . . 14 November 2010 . 27 February 2023.
  48. Web site: 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi - Best laptimes per driver - Race 2 . 20 February 2021 . 12 March 2021.
  49. Web site: 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi - Best laptimes per driver - Race 1 . 19 February 2021 . 12 March 2021.
  50. Web site: 2020 Asian Formula 3 Yas Marina (Race 1) . 17 January 2020 . 20 July 2022.
  51. Web site: FIA GT1 World Championship Abu Dhabi 2010 . 17 April 2010 . 3 April 2021.
  52. Web site: 7th Gulf 12 Hours 2017 - MRF Challenge - Final Results - Race 4 . 15 December 2017 . 10 December 2023.
  53. Web site: Yas Racing Series - Round 3 - Race 1 - Final Results . 2 February 2018 . 17 May 2021.
  54. Web site: Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East 30 January - 1 February 2020 - Final Results - Race 1 . 31 January 2020 . 19 November 2022.
  55. Web site: 4th Gulf 12 Hours 2014 - Audi R8 LMS Cup – Race 1 - Result . 12 December 2014 . 17 June 2024.
  56. Web site: 2012 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi V8 Grand Prix #3 . 4 November 2012 . 10 May 2021.
  57. Web site: 2014 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli - Abu Dhabi - World Final (40') - Final Classification . 6 December 2014 . 20 July 2022.
  58. Web site: Yas Racing Series: Round 3 - 31 January - 3 February 2018 - Radical Middle East Cup - Final Results - Race 1 . 2 February 2018 . 19 November 2022.
  59. Web site: Gulf 12 Hours 2013 - Trofeo Maserati – Race 2 - Result . 12 December 2013 . 17 June 2024.
  60. Web site: 8th Gulf 12 Hours 2018 Part 2 - Fastest Lap Times of All Drivers . 15 December 2018 . 17 May 2021.
  61. Web site: 10 - 11/02/2017 ABU DHABI . https://web.archive.org/web/20180317164109/http://middleeast.tcr-series.com/index.php/events/2017/abu-dhabi . 12 February 2017 . 17 March 2018 . 20 July 2022 . dead.
  62. Web site: 2011 Abu Dhabi GP2 Asia . . 12 February 2011 . 27 February 2023.
  63. Web site: FIA GT1 World Championship Abu Dhabi 2011 . 26 March 2011 . 3 April 2021.
  64. Web site: 2021 Asian Formula 3 Yas Marina (Race 1) . 4 February 2021 . 20 July 2022.
  65. Web site: UAE GT Yas Marina 2011 . 16 December 2011 . 26 February 2023.
  66. Web site: Formula 4 UAE - 4-7 February 2021 - Race 3 - Final Results . 6 February 2021 . 17 May 2021.
  67. Web site: 2011 Yas V8 400 #2 . 12 February 2011 . 20 July 2022.
  68. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club Jan 2018 - Formula 4 UAE - Race 2 - Final Results . https://web.archive.org/web/20220330031239/https://www.f4uae.com/images/Events/2017-18_Rnd2/Documents/F4UAE_2017_18_Round2_Race2_Grid3.pdf . 20 January 2018 . 30 March 2022 . 20 July 2022 . dead.
  69. Web site: 16 - 17/01/2020 ABU DHABI . https://web.archive.org/web/20190925212844/http://middleeast.tcr-series.com/index.php/events/item/abudhabi . 25 September 2019 . 20 July 2022 . dead.
  70. Web site: Yas Motor Racing Club 9–11 March - Formula 4 UAE - Race 1 - Final Results . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009202421/https://www.f4uae.com/images/downloads/round_five/F4UAE_2016_17_Rd5_Results_Race1.pdf . 10 March 2017 . 9 October 2021 . 20 July 2022 . dead.

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