Located in Goiânia, the capital of the Brazilian state of Goiás, Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna is one of Brazil’s most important permanent racing circuits. Since opening in 1974, it has become a cornerstone of the country’s national motorsport scene while also welcoming major international automobile and motorcycle championships.
Named in honour of three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna, the circuit has a particularly strong association with both Stock Car racing and motorcycle Grand Prix competition. Following an extensive modernisation completed for 2026, Goiânia returned to the international stage as host of the Brazilian motorcycle Grand Prix, beginning a new chapter in the history of one of Brazil’s most established racing venues.
In Brief
- The circuit opened in 1974 and has served Brazilian motorsport for more than half a century.
- Its original design was developed by architect Silas Varizzo and racing driver Marcos Veiga Jardim, with technical consultation from two-time Formula One World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
- The circuit has been named after Ayrton Senna since 1989, five years before his death.
- Goiânia hosted motorcycle Grand Prix racing from 1987 to 1989 and welcomed MotoGP back to Brazil in 2026.
- It is one of the most frequently visited circuits in the history of Stock Car Brasil.
- A major redevelopment completed for 2026 introduced a completely renewed racing surface, wider sections of track, modernised run-off areas, new pit and paddock facilities, a new race control tower and an upgraded medical centre.
History
Autódromo Internacional de Goiânia was conceived during the expansion of Brazilian motorsport in the 1960s, when racing in the city was still taking place on temporary street courses. Construction began in the early 1970s on land formerly belonging to Fazenda Gameleira, with architect Silas Varizzo and racing driver Marcos Veiga Jardim developing the project with technical advice from Emerson Fittipaldi.
The circuit officially opened in 1974 and quickly established itself as an important national venue. Stock Car Brasil arrived during the championship’s inaugural 1979 season, beginning an association that would make Goiânia one of the most frequently used circuits in the history of Brazil’s premier touring car category.
International recognition followed through motorcycle Grand Prix racing, with Goiânia hosting the Brazilian round of the World Motorcycle Championship between 1987 and 1989. In November 1989, while Ayrton Senna was at the height of his Formula One career, the circuit was officially renamed in his honour.
More than five decades after opening, the venue underwent one of the most significant transformations in its history ahead of MotoGP’s return in 2026. The circuit was repaved and widened, run-off areas were modernised and the paddock, pit facilities, race control, medical centre and spectator infrastructure were extensively redeveloped. The return of the Brazilian motorcycle Grand Prix placed Goiânia once again on the international motorsport calendar.
Circuit Design
The principal mixed circuit measures approximately 3.835 kilometres and combines a long main straight with fast, flowing sections and more technical sequences requiring strong braking performance and accurate positioning.
Unlike many modern circuits built around repeated slow corners, Goiânia retains a relatively open and flowing character. Its long acceleration zones reward straight-line performance, while the faster bends require confidence and stability. Slower sections introduce greater emphasis on mechanical grip and traction, creating a balanced lap suitable for both automobile and motorcycle competition.
The circuit was substantially modernised ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season. The racing surface was completely renewed and widened from approximately 12 to 15 metres in key areas, while run-off zones and safety infrastructure were redesigned to meet contemporary international requirements. These changes preserved the fundamental character of the original layout while preparing it for a new generation of high-performance racing machinery.
LENGTH
3.835
kilometres
WIDTH
12–15
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
14
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
16.3
metres
OPENED
1974
52 years ago
Corner Guide
Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia is characterised by a flowing layout where sustained acceleration and fast cornering are balanced by technical sections demanding precise braking and strong traction. Rather than being dominated by a single internationally recognised corner, the circuit builds its character through changes of pace across the lap.
The opening section allows competitors to build considerable speed before braking becomes increasingly important through the first technical sequences. Through the middle of the lap, faster bends reward confidence and a stable chassis, while changes in direction require drivers and riders to preserve momentum without compromising positioning for the following corner. The later part of the circuit again places emphasis on acceleration and clean exits as competitors prepare for another run along the long main straight.
Goiânia therefore rewards balance across several different aspects of vehicle performance. Straight-line speed is valuable, but competitive laps also depend on braking stability, mechanical grip and the ability to maintain momentum through the circuit’s faster sections. Drivers and riders who approach the lap as a continuous sequence rather than attacking individual corners in isolation are generally rewarded most strongly.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | Curva Um |
| 2 | T2 |
| 3 | Mergulho |
| 4 | Miolo |
| 5 | T5 |
| 6 | Bico de Pato |
| 7 | T7 |
| 8 | T8 |
| 9 | T9 |
| 10 | T10 |
| 11 | Esse |
| 12 | T12 |
| 13 | Curva Zero |
| 14 | T14 |
Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna occupies an important position in Brazilian motorsport as one of the country’s principal permanent racing venues. For more than five decades, Goiânia has provided a major stage for national competition while periodically bringing world championship motorsport to central Brazil.
The circuit has a particularly deep relationship with Stock Car Brasil. Goiânia joined the championship during its inaugural 1979 season and has subsequently hosted dozens of races, becoming one of the most frequently visited destinations in the category’s history. Generations of leading Brazilian drivers have competed here, establishing the circuit as an important part of the country’s domestic racing culture.
Motorcycle racing gives Goiânia an equally significant international dimension. The circuit hosted the Brazilian motorcycle Grand Prix between 1987 and 1989, bringing the world’s leading riders to Goiás during one of Grand Prix racing’s most celebrated eras. In 2026, following extensive redevelopment, MotoGP returned to Goiânia as Brazil rejoined the World Championship calendar after an absence of more than two decades.
Beyond Stock Car and MotoGP, the venue has supported categories including endurance racing, Formula 3, Porsche one-make competition, truck racing, NASCAR Brasil and numerous regional championships. This combination of sustained national competition and renewed international relevance makes Goiânia one of the foundations of Brazilian motorsport and an important link between the country’s racing heritage and its contemporary ambitions.
Visitor Experience
Visitors to Goiânia experience one of Brazil’s most established motorsport environments, where more than half a century of racing heritage is combined with facilities extensively modernised for contemporary international competition.
The circuit’s broad spectator areas and long sightlines provide views across significant portions of the racing surface, while major events create the energetic atmosphere associated with Brazilian motorsport. The redevelopment completed for MotoGP introduced modernised grandstands, hospitality areas, paddock facilities and supporting infrastructure, substantially improving the experience for competitors and spectators alike.
Outside major international weekends, the circuit continues to host national championships, motorcycle racing, regional competition and other motorsport activities, maintaining an active connection with the racing community of Goiás throughout the year.
Location
Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna is located in Goiânia, the capital of Goiás, in Brazil’s Central-West region. The circuit lies on the eastern side of the city, close enough to the metropolitan area to provide convenient access while occupying a substantial dedicated motorsport complex.
Its position gives the circuit particular importance within Brazil’s motorsport geography. Far from the traditional concentration of major racing venues around São Paulo and southern Brazil, Goiânia provides the Central-West region with a permanent circuit capable of accommodating both major national championships and international competition.
Address
74775-013
Goiânia, Goiás
Brazil
Website