Circuit info

The Yas Marina circuit is located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It is a rather young circuit and the only one in Abu Dhabi. The circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, GP2 Asia Series, V8 Supercars Series, Drag Racing and GT1 World Series. It is sometimes referred to as the Arabian Monaco.

The circuit is designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in October 2009. Yas Island is an artificial island near Abu Dhabi. The expenses of its built were added up to the total expenses of the Yas Marina circuit, which makes it the most expensive circuit ever built. Included in the total costs of USD 1 billion are also the costs for the permanent lighting system provided by Musco Lighting. The same system is used for the Losail circuit in Qatar. Yas Marina now has the biggest permanent lighting system in the world.

The circuit can be divided into 2 configurations: the Grand Prix Circuit (5,554 km with 21 turns) which is used for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the V8 Supercars Circuit (4,700 km with 17 turns) which is used for the V8 Supercars Series. The asphalt of the circuit is highly praised by circuit owners because of the great grip it offers. The same asphalt has been used for the Bahrain International Circuit. Circuit Yas Marina has a few long straights and tight curves. It offers great overtaking opportunities and has the longest straight between turn 7 and 8 on the Formula 1 calendar. This part is also where Tilke has left his trademark as the long straight stops in a tight hairpin.

Yas Marina offers nice highlights for spectators. Part of the pit exit runs underneath the track through a tunnel and one of the gravel traps runs underneath the West Grandstand. Part of the track also runs through one of the on site hotels.