Located on Yas Island, the Yas Marina Circuit is one of the world’s most technologically advanced and architecturally distinctive motorsport venues. Opened in 2009, it was designed as the centrepiece of a master-planned leisure destination that combines international motorsport with luxury hospitality, entertainment and waterfront living.
Best known as the home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina has become synonymous with modern Formula One. Its twilight-to-night race, spectacular marina setting and iconic illuminated hotel have established it as one of the championship’s most recognisable venues.
Today the circuit represents the Middle East’s flagship destination for international motorsport.
In Brief
- Yas Marina Circuit opened in 2009.
- It hosts Formula One’s famous twilight-to-night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- The circuit passes beneath the iconic W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island.
- The layout was substantially revised in 2021 to improve racing and overtaking.
- Yas Marina is the centrepiece of the Yas Island leisure development.
- The venue remains active year-round with public cycling, running and driving experiences.
History
The Yas Marina Circuit was conceived as the centrepiece of Yas Island, an ambitious development designed to position Abu Dhabi among the world’s leading leisure and sporting destinations.
Designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke, construction began in 2007, with the circuit officially opening in 2009. Later that year it hosted the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, becoming Formula One’s first twilight race to finish under floodlights.
In 2021 the layout underwent significant revisions to improve overtaking opportunities and racing flow. Several slow corners were redesigned or removed, producing faster average speeds and more competitive racing while preserving the venue’s spectacular setting.
Alongside Formula One, Yas Marina has become a centre for endurance racing, GT competition, club motorsport and manufacturer experiences.
Circuit Design
The Grand Prix circuit measures 5.281 kilometres and features 16 corners arranged in a clockwise direction.
The layout combines long acceleration zones with technical corner sequences that reward precision under braking and strong traction. Following the 2021 redesign, the circuit places greater emphasis on flowing rhythm, reducing several artificial slow-speed sections while enhancing overtaking opportunities.
The circuit’s signature feature remains its integration with the surrounding marina. Cars pass beneath the iconic W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, while the waterfront setting creates one of Formula One’s most visually striking backdrops.
A permanent floodlighting system enables racing to begin in daylight and conclude after sunset, creating the championship’s famous day-to-night transition.
LENGTH
5.281
kilometres
WIDTH
12–16
metres
DIRECTION
CCW
counter-clockwise
TURNS
16
9 left – 7 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
1,147
metres
ELEVATION CHANGE
10.4
metres
OPENED
2009
17 years ago
Yas Marina Circuit combines slow technical sections, substantial braking zones and faster sequences, with the revised layout creating a considerably more flowing lap than the original configuration. The opening corners build towards the fast changes of direction around Turns 4 and 5, where commitment and accurate positioning become increasingly important before competitors accelerate towards the circuit’s principal straight-line sections.
The long acceleration towards Turn 6 creates one of the strongest overtaking opportunities, with heavy braking followed by another extended straight and braking zone. The later part of the lap flows around the marina and beneath the distinctive hotel, where medium-speed corners place greater emphasis on precision and traction as barriers and surrounding architecture move increasingly close to the racing surface.
Yas Marina’s defining challenge comes from balancing straight-line performance with braking stability and mechanical grip. The revisions introduced in 2021 removed several slower corners and increased the importance of sustained corner speed, producing a faster and more fluid circuit while retaining the heavy braking opportunities fundamental to its racing character.
| Corner |
|---|
| T1 095° · Left · 60 m |
| T2 059° · Left · 65 m |
| T3 089° · Right · 196 m |
| T4 024° · Left · 144 m |
| T5 154° · Left · 96 m |
| T6 116° · Left · 23 m |
| T7 082° · Right · 18 m |
| T8 037° · Left · 225 m |
| T9 200° · Left · 262 m |
| T10 028° · Right · 37 m |
| T11 045° · Right · 42 m |
| T12 094° · Right · 20 m |
| T13 082° · Left · 48 m |
| T14 098° · Left · 113 m |
| T15 069° · Right · 90 m |
| T16 085° · Right · 31 m |
Yas Marina Circuit joined the Formula One World Championship in 2009, establishing Abu Dhabi as a major international motorsport destination. Its distinctive twilight format allows races to begin in daylight and finish beneath floodlights, giving the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix an immediately recognisable identity within the championship.
The circuit has become particularly significant through its position as a frequent Formula One season finale, placing championship conclusions and end-of-season celebrations at Yas Marina. Several World Championships have been decided there, including the dramatic 2010 and 2021 title contests, giving the relatively young circuit an unusually substantial place in modern Formula One history.
Beyond Formula One, Yas Marina supports GT racing, endurance events, testing and regional motorsport, while its integration into the wider Yas Island destination extends its role beyond competition. The circuit represents the growth of international motorsport in the Middle East and a modern model in which Grand Prix racing, tourism and entertainment infrastructure operate as parts of a single destination.
Visitor Experience
Yas Marina delivers one of the most complete visitor experiences in international motorsport.
Spectators enjoy grandstands overlooking the marina, luxury hospitality, yacht viewing areas and direct access to the entertainment attractions of Yas Island. Visitors can also participate in circuit tours, driving experiences, cycling evenings and running events held on the track outside race weekends.
Nearby attractions including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Yas Beach make the circuit part of one of the world’s most comprehensive leisure destinations.
Climate
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall mm | Rainy days | Daylight h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 14° | 11 | 2 | 10.8 |
| February | 26° | 15° | 11 | 2 | 11.3 |
| March | 29° | 17° | 14 | 2 | 12.0 |
| April | 35° | 21° | 5 | 1 | 12.7 |
| May | 39° | 25° | 0 | 0 | 13.3 |
| June | 41° | 27° | 0 | 0 | 13.6 |
| July | 42° | 29° | 1 | 0 | 13.5 |
| August | 43° | 30° | 1 | 0 | 13.0 |
| September | 40° | 27° | 0 | 0 | 12.3 |
| October | 36° | 24° | 1 | 0 | 11.6 |
| November | 31° | 20° | 3 | 1 | 11.0 |
| December | 26° | 16° | 6 | 1 | 10.7 |
Monthly averages for Yas Marina Circuit, 1991–2020.
Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026 (CC BY 4.0).
Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Location
The Yas Marina Circuit is situated on Yas Island, approximately 30 kilometres east of central Abu Dhabi and only a short drive from Zayed International Airport.
The island has developed into one of the Middle East’s leading destinations for motorsport, entertainment and luxury tourism.
Address
Yas Leisure Drive
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Region, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Website