Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Island
In 2006, ambitious plans were unveiled to transform Yas Island, located just east of Abu Dhabi, into a premier tourist destination. Central to these plans was the creation of a 5.5km race track. Construction began in May 2007, and by October 2009, the Yas Marina Circuit was ready to make its debut.
The circuit hosted its first Formula 1 race as the season finale in 2009. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel took the victory, followed by his teammate Mark Webber and the 2009 champion Jenson Button. Vettel would return to Yas Marina a year later to clinch his first world title, a moment filled with emotion.
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the Yas Marina Circuit features a 1.2km straight between Turns 5 and 6, perfect for overtaking. The track also includes the challenging sequence from Turns 10 to 12, where drivers must brake hard while managing lateral loads. Modifications ahead of the 2021 race shortened the lap to 5.28km, enhancing the excitement. Yas Island was developed into a vibrant tourist hub, with $40 billion invested over 11 years. The island now boasts seven hotels, Ferrari’s indoor theme park, a mall, a water park, a golf course, a beach, a concert arena, and a nightclub, all set against the backdrop of perfect Emirati weather.
For the best views, try to secure a room with a trackside view at the spectacular whale-shaped Yas Hotel or a berth in a boat’s cabin in the marina. If those options are unavailable, the West Grandstand offers excellent views of the overtaking action into Turn 6. For a more atmospheric experience, the Main Grandstand overlooking the start-finish straight is ideal, especially during Abu Dhabi’s famed pyrotechnics. To avoid the sun, aim for a seat high up in any grandstand.
Yas Marina Circuit offers a unique blend of thrilling racing and luxurious amenities, making it a must-visit destination for any motorsport enthusiast.
Don’t miss out on the excitement of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
2023 Race Recap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
1st Place Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1:27:02.624
2nd Place Charles Leclerc Ferrari, +17.993s
3rd Place George Russell, Mercedes, +20.328s
Details of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
- First Grand Prix: 2009
- Number of laps: 58
- Circuit Length: 5.281 km
- Lap Record:1:26.103 ,Max Verstappen (2021)
- Race distance: 306.183 km