F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 | Schedule & Sessions | MotorSportRadar

Formula 1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Dunlaing Watches
Event Start

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Dunlaing Watches
0 D
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4 - 7 Dec

Yas Marina Circuit

Yas Marina Circuit

Free Practice 1
22:30 - Fri, 4 Dec
Free Practice 2
02:00 - Sat, 5 Dec
Free Practice 3
23:30 - Sat, 5 Dec
Qualifying
03:00 - Sun, 6 Dec
Race
02:00 - Mon, 7 Dec

Where To Watch F1 in United States

Where To Watch F1 in United States
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Upcoming in F1

Upcoming in F1
Miami Grand Prix
2 - 4 May
Canadian Grand Prix
23 - 25 May
Monaco Grand Prix
5 - 8 Jun
View More

Upcoming at Yas Marina Circuit

Upcoming at Yas Marina Circuit
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Formula 2
4 - 6 Dec

Track Info

Yas Marina Circuit - Abu Dhabi, UAE

Permanently built road course on Yas Island - clockwise - reprofiled in 2021 for faster flow and better overtaking

First Race
2009
Opened with Formula 1's first day-to-night Grand Prix on 1 November 2009.
Circuit Length
5.281 km
58 laps - 306.183 km race distance for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Turns
16
Post-2021 layout: single widened hairpin and a fast, banked Turn 9 replace former chicanes.
Lap Record (Race)
1:25.637 - Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 2024
Formula 1 - official fastest race lap on the 5.281 km layout.
Recent Benchmarks
Pole 1:22.595 - Lando Norris, 2024
Fastest of the ground-effect era so far on the current configuration.

When was the track built?

Construction began in 2007 as part of the Yas Island development, with the circuit completed for the 2009 season finale. A major reprofile for 2021 removed the pre-hairpin chicane, created a single widened hairpin, introduced a sweeping banked Turn 9 in place of the marina complex chicanes, and opened up the final sector for higher corner speeds.

Signature features include the W Abu Dhabi hotel bridge over the track, a pit exit tunnel that passes under the circuit, and five main grandstands encircling the marina and fast sections.

When was its first race?

The venue's first race was the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula 1's inaugural day-to-night event under permanent lighting.

What's the circuit like?

  • Fast-flowing since 2021: The new Turn 9 and widened radii through the last sector reward aero efficiency and confidence on entry.
  • Two long DRS runs: The back-straight pair creates repeated tow-and-counter sequences into heavy braking at the chicane and the following left.
  • Brake and traction tests: The hairpin and chicanes demand stability on the brakes and strong rear grip on exit to launch down the straights.
  • Surface and evolution: Smooth asphalt with steady grip build. Night-time air keeps engine temps in check but can complicate tyre warm-up on out laps.
  • Benchmark pace: Official F1 race lap record 1:25.637 (2024). Qualifying laps often land in the low 1:22s on a rubbered-in track.

Lap records and benchmarks (by series)

  • Formula 1 (race lap): 1:25.637 - Kevin Magnussen, 2024 Abu Dhabi GP - current 5.281 km layout.
  • FIA Formula 2: 1:37.445 - Roy Nissany, 2021.
  • LMP2 (Asian Le Mans): 1:40.725 - Tom Dillmann, 2024 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi.
  • GT3 (Gulf 12 Hours): 1:51.291 - Maro Engel, 2023.
  • Formula Regional Middle East: 1:50.078 - Freddie Slater, 2025.
  • F4 UAE: 1:54.671 - Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 2022.

Why go?

A sunset-to-night spectacle with fireworks, waterfront views and grandstands close to the action. The reworked layout delivers more overtaking and high-speed commitment, while Yas Island's attractions and easy transport make the weekend smooth for fans.

Where's the best place to watch?

  • Hairpin at Turn 5: Big braking and traction onto the first DRS straight set up passes at the chicane.
  • End of the back straights: Watch DRS slingshots and switchbacks through the chicane pair.
  • Turn 9 sweeper: The banked left shows true aero performance and bravery on entry.
  • Marina and hotel section: Unique visuals as cars run beneath the illuminated hotel and sprint toward the faster final sector.
  • Main grandstand: Grid, pit stops, podium and the chequered flag with panoramic yacht-lined backdrops.

Not just F1: UAE and world series at Yas Marina

Asian Le Mans Series: 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi shines with multi-class strategy on the fast-flowing GP layout.

Gulf 12 Hours: Global GT3 showcase with factory lineups and dramatic night running.

Formula 2 and F4 UAE: Title-deciding junior series with heavy DRS battles and late Safety Cars.

Formula Regional Middle East: Deep winter grids and headline lap times on both GP and Corkscrew configurations.

Historic and regional events: V8 Supercars previously raced here; the venue has also hosted World RX and endurance festivals.

Hotels & Accommodation

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