Yas Marina Circuit

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, about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. 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.[4] It also hosted the opening event for the Australian V8 Supercars series, the Yas V8 400, in February 2010.[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]

Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit (from 2021)
LocationYas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time zoneGMT +4
Coordinates24°28′2″N 54°36′11″E
Capacity60,000
FIA Grade1
OwnerGovernment of Abu Dhabi
OperatorAbu Dhabi Motorsports Management
Broke groundMay 2007
OpenedOctober 2009
Construction costUS$1.322 billion[1]
AED 4.856 billion
ArchitectHermann Tilke
Major eventsFormula One
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (2009–present)
Formula 2 (2017–2019, 2021–present)
Asian Le Mans Series
4 Hours of Abu Dhabi (2021)
F3 Asian Championship (2020–present)
Formula 4 UAE Championship (2016–present)
GP2 Series (2009–2016)
World RX of Abu Dhabi (2019)
V8 Supercars Yas V8 400 (2010–2012)
FIA GT1 World Championship (2010–2011)
GP2 Asia Series, Drag Racing, Gulf 12 Hours, World Triathlon Series
Grand Prix Circuit (from 2021)
Length5.281 km (3.281 mi)
Turns16
Race lap record1:26.103 ( Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2021, F1)
Grand Prix Circuit (2009–2021)
Length5.554 km (3.451 mi)
Turns21
Race lap record1:39.283 ( Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2019, F1)
Corkscrew Circuit (2009–2021)
Length4.730 km (2.939 mi)
Turns19
Race lap record1:37.745 ( Jules Bianchi, Lotus ART, 2011, GP2 Asia)
North Circuit (2009–2021)
Length3.130 km (1.945 mi)
Turns10
Race lap record1:10.027 ( Olli Caldwell, Silberpfeil Energy Dubai, 2018, Formula 4)
South Circuit (2009–2021)
Length2.360 km (1.466 mi)
Turns12
Race lap record59.572 ( Jonathan Aberdein, Team Motopark, 2017, Formula 4)
Websitewww.yasmarinacircuit.com

Design
A satellite image of the circuit, as it appeared in 2018

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,[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 marina-based development includes a theme park, a water park, as well as residential areas, hotels and beaches.

The circuit has five grandstand areas (Main Grandstand, West Grandstand, North Grandstand, South Grandstand and Marina Grandstand (aka Support)) 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 is set to change as the current turns 4, 5, and 6 are to be redesigned along with turns 11, 12 and 13 also being reconfigured, ready for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

  • Seating Capacity – 60,000
  • Area – 161.9 ha
  • Length – 5.281 km (3.281 mi)
  • Longest straight – 1.14 km (1,246.72 yd)
  • Elevation change – 10.7 m

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) and Bau Bickhardt (track) to name a few.

The circuit was constructed with a permanent lighting system provided by Musco Lighting, similar to that also installed at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. Yas Marina Circuit is the largest permanent sports venue lighting project in the world; previously that title was held by Losail.

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

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',[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.

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 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]

Lap records

The official fastest lap records at the Yas Marina Circuit are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit (from 2021): 5.281 km
F11:26.103[23]Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing RB16B2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
F21:37.445[24]Roy NissanyDallara F2 20182021 Yas Island Formula 2 round
Grand Prix Circuit (2009–2021): 5.554 km
F11:39.283Lewis HamiltonMercedes AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
F21:50.314Alexander AlbonDallara GP2/112017 Yas Island Formula 2 round
GP21:50.749Sergio PerezDallara GP2/082010 Yas Marina GP2 Series round
LMP21:56.560[25]Franco ColapintoAurus 012021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 4
GP31:56.888Marvin KirchhöferDallara GP3/132014 Abu Dhabi GP3 Series round
LMP32:05.165[26]Malthe JakobsenLigier JS P3202021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 3
F3 Asia2:07.324[27]Jamie ChadwickTatuus F.3 T-3182019-20 Abu Dhabi F3 Asian Championship round
GT12:07.376[28]Thomas MutschMatech Ford GT12010 FIA GT1 Abu Dhabi round
Formula Renault Eurocup2:08.720[29]Victor MartinsTatuus FR-192019 Abu Dhabi Formula Renault Eurocup round
GT32:08.791[25]Ben BarnicoatMcLaren 720S GT32021 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 4
Formula 42:11.046[30]Charles WeertsTatuus F4-T0142017–18 3rd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
V8 Supercars2.13.160[31]Jamie WhincupHolden VE Commodore2012 Yas Marina Circuit V8 Supercar Event
GT42:21.240[32]Olli CaldwellMercedes-AMG GT42018 Gulf 12 Hours
Short (Corkscrew) Circuit (2009–2021): 4.730 km
GP2 Asia1:37.745Jules BianchiDallara GP2/112011 Yas Marina Circuit GP2 Asia Series round
GT11:52.431[33]Maxime MartinMatech Ford GT12011 FIA GT1 Abu Dhabi round
F3 Asia1:53.432[34]Jehan DaruvalaTatuus F.3 T-3182021 1st Abu Dhabi F3 Asian Championship round
Formula 41:57.198[35]Dilano van't HoffTatuus F4-T0142021 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
V8 Supercars1:57.740Jason BargwannaHolden VE Commodore2011 Yas V8 400
North Circuit (2009–2021): 3.130 km
Formula 41:10.027[36]Olli CaldwellTatuus F4-T0142017–18 2nd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
South Circuit (2009–2021): 2.360 km
Formula 459.572[37]Jonathan AberdeinTatuus F4-T0142016-17 3rd Abu Dhabi Formula 4 UAE round
  • The main straight
  • Turn 7 (2009–2021), Turn 5 (2021–)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (2009–2021)
  • North circuit and south circuit layouts shown in Grand Prix Circuit track map (2009–2021)
  • World RX layout of Yas Marina Circuit, used in 2019
  • Differences between the 2009 and 2021 layouts

See also

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Tilke GmbH – Projects – Category". tilke-ac.de. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  3. "Yas Marina Circuit construction progressing". gulfnews.com. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  4. "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.
  5. "Motorsport: Middle Eastern double-header for V8 Supercars". nzherald.co.nz. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  6. "Abu Dhabi start confirmed". v8supercars.com.au. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  7. "Chaves wins inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour". cyclingnews.com. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  8. "LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS" (PDF). FIA. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  10. "Abu Dhabi breaks cover". Autosport. 194 (4): 10. October 2008.
  11. "BBC: Shropshire's Formula 1 Connection". British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  12. Noble, Jonathan (9 October 2009). "Abu Dhabi track gets final FIA approval". Autosport. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  13. "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.
  14. Jonathan Noble and Jamie O'Leary (30 October 2009). "Drivers praise Abu Dhabi circuit". Autosport.com. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  15. "Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - prologue". motorsportmagazine.com. 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  16. "Abu Dhabi GP F1 track could be changed to improve overtaking". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  17. "Six reasons Abu Dhabi F1 races consistently disappoint". 13 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  18. "Verstappen wins season finale in Abu Dhabi". Retrieved 16 December 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  19. "Ricciardo calls for Abu Dhabi track change after "grim" race". GPfans. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  20. "Abu Dhabi approves new layout plan for F1 track to improve racing". Autosport. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  21. "REVEALED: The track changes aimed at improving overtaking at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit". Formula 1. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  22. 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.
  23. "Yas Marina Circuit". Formula1.com. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  24. "2021 F2 Yas Marina Statistics". Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  25. "4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Best laptimes per driver - Race 4" (PDF). Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  26. "4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Best laptimes per driver - Race 3" (PDF). Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  27. "2019-20 F3 Asian Championship Round 3 Race 7 Results". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  28. "FIA GT1 World Championship Abu Dhabi 2010". Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  29. "2019 Formula Renault Eurocup Yas Marina Statistics". Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  30. "Yas Racing Series - Round 3 Race 1 Final Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  31. "2012 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi V8 Grand Prix #3". Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  32. "8th Gulf 12 Hours 2018 Part 2 Fastest Lap Times of All Drivers" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  33. "FIA GT1 World Championship Abu Dhabi 2011". Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  34. "2021 F3 Asian Championship Round 2 Race 1 Results". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  35. "Formula 4 UAE 4-7 February 2021 Race 3 Final Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  36. "Yas Motor Racing Club Jan 2018 Formula 4 UAE Race 2 Final Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  37. "Yas Motor Racing Club 9-11 March Formula 4 UAE Race 1 Final Results" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2021.
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