The circuit is located on Yas Island, a headland cut off from the mainland by a canal. It has sixteen corners and several straights, and passes by the marina and under the W Abu Dhabi hotel, designed by New York-based architects Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote Architecture, with facade lighting design by Rogier van der Heide. The circuit has five grandstand areas — Main, West, North, South, and Marina — and part of its pit lane exit runs underneath the track. One run-off area passes underneath the West grandstand.
The circuit was built by main contractor Cebarco-WCT WLL under contract from developer Aldar Properties. Subcontractors included KOH AH HING (KAHBINA) from Malaysia as structural contractor, Voltas and PKE-Siemens for MEP, Able-Middle East for earthworks, Hamilton International for interior, Bau Bickhardt for the track surface, and M.K. Almahri for digital systems.
A permanent lighting system was provided by Musco Lighting, identical in concept to the system installed at Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. At the time of construction, Yas Marina was the largest permanent sports venue lighting project in the world, a title previously held by Lusail. The track surface is made of graywacke aggregate shipped from a Bayston Hill quarry in Shropshire, England, valued for the high grip it provides — though at the cost of higher tyre wear. The same aggregate is used at Bahrain International Circuit.
On October 7, 2009, the circuit was granted final FIA approval to hold Formula One races. Bruno Senna was the first driver to complete a test run on the circuit. A two-day GP2 Asia Series test was held to officially open the circuit, one week before the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After the first practice sessions at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the circuit was welcomed by most drivers. Nico Rosberg commented that every corner was "unique," while Fernando Alonso stated it was enjoyable because there was always something to do. Force India's Adrian Sutil rated it better than Formula One's other night race in Singapore, feeling there was too much light at Marina Bay.
Not all opinions were positive. Giancarlo Fisichella expressed particular dislike of the pit exit, which dips under the main circuit by way of a tunnel, calling it both very difficult and dangerous. Kimi Räikkönen stated that "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 the team was considering changes to present more overtaking opportunities. BBC Sport's Andrew Benson called the racing at the 2020 event "dreary," and Matt Beer of The Race named the track layout as one of six reasons why Abu Dhabi races "consistently disappoint." Daniel Ricciardo also supported changes.
In June 2021, Saif Al Noaimi, acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, confirmed modifications had been approved. For the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, turns 4, 5, and 6 were replaced by a single less severe hairpin; turns 11 through 14 were replaced by a sweeping banked curve; and turns 18 through 20 were made less tight to allow more speed to be carried through them.
The circuit has hosted Formula One as its primary series since 2009. It also hosted V8 Supercars between 2010 and 2012, with the event serving as the opening round in 2010 and 2011. GP3 visited Abu Dhabi for the first time at the end of the 2013 season. The circuit was used for the final stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour cycle race from 2015 to 2017.
Current regular events include the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the FIA Formula 2 Championship Yas Island round, the 24H Series Middle East 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi, Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, F4 Middle East Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, UAE Procar Championship, and Gulf Radical Cup.
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