Yas Marina Circuit: Home of F1 season finale, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Yas Marina Circuit, perched at the man-made Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE, stands as one of the most modern and luxurious racing venues in the motorsport. Hosting the Formula One season finale since its debut in 2009, the circuit combines top-tier racing infrastructure with glamorous fanfare. The circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was designed by German architect Hermann Tilke. The development of the Yas Marina Circuit was part of a grander plan for Yas Island, visioned as a hub of entertainment, leisure, and motorsport excellence. The construction of the F1 circuit began in May 2007 and was completed in just two years at a cost estimated to be over $1.3 billion, making it one of the most expensive F1 venues ever built.

Yas Marina Circuit: Home to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the F1 season finale

The Yas Marina circuit officially opened in October 2009 with the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which was also the first F1 race held as a day-to-night event. Conceived as an ode to modern infrastructure, the circuit featured advanced floodlighting system. This twilight race concept has since become a unique trademark of the venue, visually spectacular both in person and on television.

The circuit layout originally featured 21 corners across a 5.554 km track, though it was revised in 2021 to improve overtaking and racing flow. The modern configuration now features 16 corners and a 1.14 km back straight, one of the longest in F1, ideal for high-speed DRS-assisted overtaking. A particularly unique aspect of Yas Marina is the pit lane exit, which passes through a tunnel beneath the track, a first in Formula 1. 

Another standout feature is the W Hotel Abu Dhabi, which straddles the circuit between turns 18 and 19. Its LED-lit facade becomes a canvas of color during race weekends and is now an iconic part of Yas Marina’s identity. What sets the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix apart is its integration of world-class motorsport with concerts, entertainment, and luxury hospitality.

The Yasalam After-Race Concerts feature globally renowned performers, past lineups have included Beyonce, The Weeknd, Eminem, and in 2024, Muse and Maroon 5. The venue includes five grandstands, premium suites, and hospitality lounges that accommodate up to 60,000 fans in high comfort. The F1 Fanzone offers simulators, interactive exhibits, team merchandise, and meet-and-greets, making the race weekend a fully immersive experience for fans of all ages.

Formula One racing at Yas Marina Circuit

Since its debut, Yas Marina has seen several championship-deciding races and dramatic finales. In 2010, Sebastian Vettel secured his first world title here. The 2021 race, infamous for the controversial final lap between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, further cemented the circuit’s reputation for drama. The 2024 edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, held on December 8, did not disappoint. The race was a fitting end to a season of high drama, with Lando Norris taking pole position and clinching his second career victory. His win secured the first Constructors' Championship for McLaren since 1998, a significant milestone in the team’s resurgence.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished second and third, respectively, delivering a strong double podium for Scuderia Ferrari. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, already crowned 2024 World Champion earlier in the season, had a relatively quiet race, finishing outside the top three after receiving a time penalty for a track limits violation.

Lewis Hamilton, racing in his final Grand Prix with Mercedes, finished fifth in an emotional farewell. After 12 seasons, 82 wins, and 6 championships with the team, Hamilton's departure to Ferrari in 2025 marks the end of an era. In his post-race interview, Hamilton called it “the greatest honour of my life” to have driven for Mercedes.