Situated on Yas Island, which was separated from the mainland by a canal, the circuit features sixteen corners and several straights. It passes by a marina and runs underneath the W Abu Dhabi hotel, designed by Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote Architecture. The circuit includes five grandstand areas: Main, West, North, South, and Marina. Part of its pit lane exit runs underneath the track, and one of the run-off areas also extends under the West grandstand. Behind the pit building, there is a team building, Media Center, Dragster Track, and VIP Tower.
Significant changes were made to the circuit layout for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The previous turns 4, 5, and 6 were redesigned, and turns 11, 12, and 13 were reconfigured.
Cebarco-WCT WLL served as the main contractor for the circuit's construction, under contract from developer Aldar Properties. Sub-contractors included KOH AH HING (KAHBINA) for structural work, Voltas and PKE-Siemens for MEP, Able-Middle East for earthworks, Hamilton International for interiors, Bau Bickhardt for the track itself, and M.K. Almahri for Digital Systems.
The circuit features a permanent lighting system provided by Musco Lighting, making it the largest permanent sports venue lighting project globally, a title previously held by the Lusail International Circuit. The track surface is made of graywacke aggregate, sourced from a Bayston Hill quarry in Shropshire, England. This material is also used at the Bahrain International Circuit and is noted by circuit bosses and Formula One drivers for its high grip, though this comes at the cost of increased tyre wear.
On October 7, 2009, the FIA granted final approval for the circuit to host Formula One races. Bruno Senna was the first driver to complete a test run on the circuit. GP3 first visited Abu Dhabi at the end of the 2013 season.
Following the initial practice sessions at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, drivers generally welcomed the circuit. Nico Rosberg described every corner as 'unique', a sentiment echoed by Fernando Alonso, who found it enjoyable due to the constant activity. Adrian Sutil of Force India rated it as superior to Formula One's other night race in Singapore, citing excessive lighting at Marina Bay.
However, not all feedback was positive. Giancarlo Fisichella expressed a particular dislike for the pit exit, which dips under the main circuit via a tunnel, claiming it was both difficult and dangerous. Kimi Räikkönen famously commented on the circuit, stating, "The first few turns are quite good, but the rest of it is shit."
After the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, designer Hermann Tilke indicated that changes were being considered to improve overtaking opportunities. BBC Sport's Andrew Benson characterized the racing at the 2020 event as "dreary," while Matt Beer of The Race listed the track layout as one of six reasons for the "consistently disappoint[ing]" races in Abu Dhabi. Drivers like Daniel Ricciardo also supported track modifications.
In June 2021, Saif Al Noaimi, acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, confirmed that layout modifications had been approved and would be completed for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. These changes included replacing turns 4, 5, and 6 with a single, less severe hairpin, substituting turns 11 through 14 with a sweeping banked curve, and making turns 18 through 20 less tight to allow for higher speeds.
The Yas Marina Circuit hosts a variety of motorsport events.
Current Events:
January: 24H Series Middle East 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, F4 Middle East Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, Gulf Radical Cup
February: Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi, UAE Procar Championship, Gulf Radical Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East
December: Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA Formula 2 Championship Yas Island Formula 2 round
Future Events:
Ferrari Challenge Middle East (2027)
Gulf 12 Hours (2013–2019, 2022–2025, 2027)
Former Events:
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (2024–2025)
Abu Dhabi Tour (2015–2017)
Audi R8 LMS Cup (2014)
F1 Academy (2024)
Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific (2016–2017, 2022–2024)
Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali (2014)
FIA GT1 World Championship (2010–2011)
FIA World Rallycross Championship World RX of Abu Dhabi (2019)
Formula 4 UAE Championship (2016–2024)
Formula Regional Asian Championship (2020–2022)
Formula Renault Eurocup (2019)
Formula Trophy UAE (2024–2025)
GP2 Series (2010, 2013–2016)
GP2 Asia Series (2009–2011)
GP3 Series (2013–2018)
Intercontinental GT Challenge Gulf 12 Hours (2022–2023)
MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship (2015, 2017)
Porsche Supercup (2009, 2011, 2013)
Radical World Finals (2024)
TCR Middle East Series (2017–2019)
Trofeo Maserati (2013–2015)
V8 Supercars Yas Marina Circuit V8 Supercar Event (2010–2012)
As of February 2026, the fastest official race lap records at the Yas Marina Circuit are listed.