United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit is the 5.281 km Formula 1 race track on Yas Island that has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009 — the season-closing round of the F1 calendar and the venue where several modern world championships have been decided. Designed by Hermann Tilke and instantly recognisable from the curved illuminated arc of the W Abu Dhabi (Yas Hotel) bridging the track, it is one of the few F1 venues that opens its tarmac to the public outside race weekends. Track tours, single-seater drives, drag nights, karting, and free TrainYas cycling evenings turn it into a year-round attraction.
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Yas Island, north-east Abu Dhabi |
| Inaugurated | 2009 (inaugural Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi GP, Nov 2009) |
| Designer | Hermann Tilke |
| Track length | 5.281 km, 21 corners (full Grand Prix circuit) |
| Configurations | Full GP, North circuit (3.140 km), South circuit (2.380 km) |
| Hosts | Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, MotoGP testing, Yasalam concerts |
| Capacity | ~60,000 spectators across the grandstands |
| Driving experiences | Track tours, single-seaters, drag racing, karting, defensive driving |
| Public open days | TrainYas (free cycling), Yas Run (ticketed running) |
| Distance from central AD | ~25 km / ~25 min via E10 |
| Distance from Dubai | ~90 km / ~75 min via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) |
| Parking | Free at the circuit and at Yas Mall |
The Circuit
Track Layout
The full Grand Prix circuit is 5.281 km with 21 corners, threaded between the marina basin and the wider Yas Island development. It is one of only a handful of F1 venues that runs anti-clockwise. A significant 2021 redesign widened corner profiles and opened up several tight low-speed sections, and the new layout has produced noticeably more on-track action since. Two shorter configurations — the North circuit (3.140 km) and the South circuit (2.380 km) — let the venue run two driving programmes in parallel on the same day.
The Yas Hotel Arc
The signature visual is the W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island (originally the Yas Hotel), which sits astride the track. Cars pass directly under the curved bridge section between the hotel's two towers, and the LED grid covering the building is programmed in shifting colours every evening. The arc is the most photographed structure on Yas Island and is also visible on foot from the Yas Marina Walk, the free 5 km path that wraps the outside of the circuit.
The Marina
The eastern side of the circuit runs along Yas Marina, a working superyacht basin with permanent moorings and waterfront restaurants. During F1 weekend the marina fills with private yachts; outside race week it is a quieter promenade and the social heart of the complex.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix typically takes place in the first weekend of December, closing the F1 season. It runs as a twilight race — sessions begin in daylight and finish under floodlights, a format unique to Yas Marina. Multiple drivers' championships have been decided here, most famously the 2010 and 2021 title deciders.
Race-weekend attendance is roughly 60,000 across the grandstands. The four-day pass covers practice, qualifying, and the race, plus the Yasalam after-race concerts — a multi-night festival that has historically headlined Coldplay, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna. Tickets go on sale in the spring; grandstand pricing ranges from approximately AED 1,500 for a four-day general pass to several thousand for the main grandstand and Paddock Club hospitality.
Driving Experiences
Yas Marina is unusual among modern F1 circuits in operating as a working public driving venue most weeks of the year. Programmes are run by the Yas Driving Centre and are bookable on the official site.
Track Tours
A 60–90 minute guided track tour covers the pit lane, a working garage, race control, the press centre, and the main grandstand, with views down the start-finish straight. Tours run mornings and afternoons most non-event days. Approximate price: AED 100–200 per adult, with family and group rates.
Single-Seater Experiences
Yas Driving Centre operates a fleet of Yas-spec single-seaters — open-cockpit, formula-style cars built for circuit driving. After a classroom briefing and an instructor lap, drivers complete a set number of laps on the North or South circuit. Approximate price: from AED 1,000 for a short experience, scaling up for longer programmes and the full Grand Prix layout. A full driving licence is required.
Drag Racing
The circuit has a dedicated drag strip that hosts public drag nights through the cooler months. Drivers can run their own road-legal cars down the strip in a controlled, instrumented setting; entry is bookable per vehicle and includes timing slips, typically AED 100–200 per session.
Karting at Yas Kartzone
Yas Kartzone is a permanent outdoor karting circuit on the venue. Adult and junior karts run in timed sessions and the layout doubles as the Yas Karting Academy. Approximate price: AED 100–150 per session.
Defensive Driving
Full-day road-safety and advanced driving courses cover skid control, emergency braking, and high-speed lane changes on a closed surface — useful for UAE residents who drive long-distance.
Public Open Days
Two free or low-cost programmes open the racing surface itself to the public on selected non-event evenings.
TrainYas
TrainYas is a free cycling and running evening on the racing line, held on selected nights during the cooler months (October–April). Cyclists, runners, and inline skaters share the closed track for a few hours after sunset. No entry fee and no booking — riders bring their own bikes and helmets. It is one of the largest community fitness events in the UAE.
Yas Run
Yas Run is the ticketed counterpart — a series of organised running events on the F1 surface, with timed 5 km, 10 km, and longer distances. Registration opens on the circuit's official site weeks in advance.
Getting There
By Car
From central Abu Dhabi, take Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street (E10) east — approximately 25 km and 25 minutes outside rush hour. Free parking is available at the circuit's main lots and at the adjacent Yas Mall, a short walk from the visitor entrance.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing
Careem and Uber operate freely on Yas Island. A one-way ride from central Abu Dhabi is approximately AED 60–90; from Zayed International Airport, AED 30–50.
By Bus
Abu Dhabi DARB routes 190 and X90 connect central Abu Dhabi with Yas Mall, a 10-minute walk from the circuit's visitor entrance.
From Dubai
For Dubai-based visitors, Yas Marina Circuit is approximately 90 km / 75 minutes by car via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). Race-weekend visitors typically book hotels on Yas Island itself — the W Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza, Park Inn, and Radisson Blu are all within walking distance of the grandstands.
Best Time to Visit
- October to April — comfortable for outdoor activities. TrainYas evenings, drag nights, and outdoor karting run on this calendar. The Grand Prix falls at the start of December — book hotels and tickets months ahead.
- May to September — the venue stays open but daytime activities migrate to early morning or after sunset. Track tours remain comfortable; outdoor karting and TrainYas pause or shorten in deep summer.
For first-time visitors not attending the F1, late October through late November is the best window — full driving calendars, mild evenings, and the circuit at its visual peak as race week approaches.
Practical Notes
- The track is unavailable for public driving during F1 race weekend and for several days either side for setup and breakdown
- All driving experiences require a valid full driving licence; single-seater experiences may have minimum height and weight requirements
- Closed-toe shoes are mandatory for any on-track programme; helmets, suits, and gloves are provided
- Photography from grandstands and pit lane is allowed; commercial filming requires permission
- The Yas Marina restaurants and the W Abu Dhabi are licensed; the circuit itself has no public bars during driving programmes
- Free Wi-Fi covers the circuit and surrounding hotels
- Wheelchair access is good across the visitor centre, grandstands, and pit-lane tour route
Nearby
Yas Marina Circuit anchors a cluster of Yas Island attractions that combine easily into a day or weekend. Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi are all within a short walk of the visitor entrance. Yas Mall sits opposite the visitor centre, and Yas Beach is a five-minute drive across the island. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is 20 minutes back towards central Abu Dhabi via E10. The free Yas Marina Walk 5 km loop traces the perimeter of the circuit for those wanting to see the venue from outside the gates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yas Marina Circuit?
Yas Marina Circuit is the Formula 1 race track on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. Designed by Hermann Tilke, it is 5.281 km long with 21 corners and offers track tours, single-seater drives, a drag strip, karting, and free TrainYas evenings outside race weekends.
When is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is typically held in the first weekend of December, closing the Formula 1 season. It runs as a twilight race, starting in daylight and finishing under floodlights. Tickets and Yasalam after-race concert passes go on sale in the spring.
How long is the Yas Marina Circuit track?
The full Grand Prix circuit is 5.281 km with 21 corners. Two shorter configurations — North (3.140 km) and South (2.380 km) — are used in parallel for driving experiences.
Can the public drive on Yas Marina Circuit?
Yes. Through the Yas Driving Centre you can book track tours, single-seater experiences, drag racing nights, karting at Yas Kartzone, and defensive driving courses. A valid full driving licence is required for on-track programmes.
How much is a track tour at Yas Marina Circuit?
Approximately AED 100–200 per adult for a 60–90 minute guided tour of the pit lane, a garage, race control, and the main grandstand. Family and group rates are available on the official site.
What is the difference between Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Marina Walk?
Yas Marina Circuit is the F1 race track itself — used for the Grand Prix, paid driving experiences, and TrainYas evenings. Yas Marina Walk is the free 5 km paved running and cycling loop that wraps around the outside of the circuit. The walk is open 24/7 (closed during F1 weekend); the circuit is access-only by ticket or booking.
How do I get to Yas Marina Circuit from Dubai?
Drive south on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) to Yas Island — approximately 90 km / 75 minutes outside rush hour. Free parking is available at the circuit and at Yas Mall. Race-weekend visitors typically book a Yas Island hotel within walking distance of the grandstands.
Where do you watch the F1 race?
From the grandstands around the circuit. The four-day ticket covers all sessions plus the Yasalam after-race concerts. Prices range from approximately AED 1,500 for a general four-day pass to several thousand for the main grandstand and Paddock Club. Capacity is roughly 60,000.
Is karting available at Yas Marina Circuit?
Yes. Yas Kartzone is a permanent outdoor karting circuit on the venue with adult and junior karts. Sessions are approximately AED 100–150 for 15 minutes. A separate Yas Karting Academy programme runs for children and teenagers.
Who designed the Yas Marina Circuit?
The circuit was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, the leading designer of modern Formula 1 venues. The original layout opened in 2009, and Tilke's office returned to deliver a significant 2021 redesign that widened corners and improved overtaking opportunities.