Introducing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place at Yas Marina Circuit, on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island is around 8 to 10 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport and around 30 km from downtown Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the only twilight race on the Formula 1 calendar. The race starts in daylight in the late afternoon and finishes under floodlights in full darkness. The shifting light and the falling track temperatures across the race add a technical dimension that engineers and drivers have to manage in real time.

Yas Marina Circuit is one of the more distinctive layouts on the calendar. The track winds around the marina and past the illuminated W Abu Dhabi hotel, which straddles the circuit. The pit-lane exit tunnels under the track itself. The lap’s signature feature is the 1.2 km back straight between Turns 5 and 6, which ends at the heaviest braking zone on the lap and the main overtaking spot. Turn 9, at the end of another straight, is the second main overtaking zone.

All grandstands at Yas Marina are covered. The race takes place in late November or early December, when daytime temperatures in Abu Dhabi are usually warm and evenings are mild.

The Formula 1 sessions run alongside support races. Recent line-ups have included FIA Formula 2, F1 Academy, and the FIA Formula 4 UAE Championship. The full schedule is published on F1.com about four weeks before the race.