Moscow Street Circuit
Location
Moscow, Russia
Current Local Time
Track Info
Moscow Street Circuit - Moscow, Russia
Compact Formula E street circuit beside the Kremlin and Moskva River - technical, narrow and remembered for a championship-shaping race in 2015
When was the track built?
The Moscow Street Circuit was created specifically for Formula E's first visit to the Russian capital in 2015. Public roads beside the Moskva River and Kremlin were temporarily fitted with barriers, fencing, grandstands and pit facilities.
The location was the circuit's biggest attraction. The cars raced through the historic centre of Moscow close to landmarks including the Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral.
When was its first race?
The first and only Moscow E-Prix took place on 6 June 2015 as round nine of Formula E's inaugural season. Jean-Éric Vergne started from pole, but championship leader Nelson Piquet Jr made the better start and took the lead immediately.
Piquet controlled the rest of the race and finished 2.012 seconds ahead of Lucas di Grassi. Nick Heidfeld was eventually classified third after Sébastien Buemi received a penalty.
What's the circuit like?
- Tight and technical: Thirteen corners were packed into less than 2.4 kilometres, giving drivers little time to relax between braking zones.
- Riverfront opening section: The beginning of the lap followed the Moskva River before drivers braked heavily for the opening corners.
- Hairpins late in the lap: Turns 11 and 12 slowed the cars dramatically and placed extra importance on traction when accelerating away.
- Difficult to overtake: Narrow streets and limited passing opportunities made qualifying and track position especially important.
Formula E benchmarks
- Race winner: Nelson Piquet Jr won for NEXTEV TCR after starting second.
- Pole position: Jean-Éric Vergne recorded a 1:09.429 for Andretti.
- Race lap record: Sébastien Buemi set a 1:11.679 for e.dams-Renault.
- Winning margin: Piquet finished 2.012 seconds ahead of Lucas di Grassi.
- Championship impact: Victory increased Piquet's championship lead to 17 points with only the London finale remaining.
Why go?
Moscow offered one of the most dramatic settings of Formula E's early years. Spectators could watch electric race cars competing in the centre of the city with some of Moscow's best-known historic landmarks only a short distance away.
The compact circuit also kept the cars close together. While overtaking was difficult, the pressure of running between concrete barriers meant even a small mistake could change a driver's race.
Formula E planned to return to Moscow in 2016, but the race was cancelled because of problems involving road closures and traffic management. The championship has not returned to the circuit.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1: One of the main braking zones and the place where Piquet took the lead at the start of the 2015 race.
- Turns 11-12: The pair of tight hairpins offered a close look at braking, traction and the slowest part of the lap.
- Moskva River section: The most distinctive viewing area, combining the racing with the historic central-Moscow setting.
These viewing suggestions refer to the former 2015 Formula E configuration; the temporary circuit is no longer used for racing.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Moscow Street Circuit (Russia)
The Moscow Street Circuit was a temporary Formula E track beside the Kremlin and Moskva River in central Moscow. Formula E no longer races here, but the former circuit area around Moskvoretskaya Embankment, Zaryadye and Red Square is easy to explore using the Metro and walking.
Is the Moscow Street Circuit still active?
The Moscow Street Circuit is no longer an active Formula E venue. The championship raced here once in June 2015, beside the Kremlin and Red Square.
A second Moscow E-Prix was planned for June 2016 but was cancelled because of circumstances related to closing the city roads required for the event.
There is no permanent racing facility, pit lane or Formula E visitor centre at the location today.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, Metro + walking is the easiest way to explore the former circuit. The course was directly in Moscow's historic centre, so driving and finding parking is unnecessary for a normal sightseeing visit.
Kitay-Gorod is a useful station for the eastern side of the old track and Zaryadye Park. Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Teatralnaya and Okhotny Ryad are also useful if you are approaching through the Red Square area.
Tip: Search for Zaryadye Park or Moskvoretskaya Embankment rather than looking for a modern “Moscow Street Circuit” entrance.
Metro & public transport
- Kitay-Gorod: particularly convenient for Zaryadye, Varvarka Street and the eastern side of the former course.
- Ploshchad Revolyutsii: useful for Red Square and the western end of the former circuit area.
- Teatralnaya and Okhotny Ryad: additional central stations within walking distance of Red Square.
- Final journey: once in the centre, exploring the former circuit on foot is normally easiest.
Central Moscow can have temporary station or street restrictions during major public events, so check current transport information before travelling.
Driving & parking
Driving is possible, but the Metro is normally much simpler for this location. The former circuit sits beside some of Moscow's busiest and most important central streets.
- Navigation: Zaryadye Park or Moskvoretskaya Embankment are useful modern reference points.
- Parking: Zaryadye Park has underground visitor parking, although spaces and access can vary.
- No race parking: Formula E spectator parking and road closures from 2015 are no longer relevant.
- City restrictions: always follow current signs and temporary traffic instructions around Red Square and the Kremlin area.
Moscow airports
- Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO): served by Aeroexpress rail connections towards central Moscow.
- Domodedovo Airport (DME): Aeroexpress trains connect the airport with Paveletsky Railway Station.
- From the city centre: continue by Metro towards Kitay-Gorod or another station near Red Square.
- Taxi: useful with heavy luggage, although Moscow road traffic can make journey times unpredictable.
International flight routes and airport services can change, so check your airline and the airport's current information before travelling.
About the former circuit
Moscow's Formula E course was one of the championship's most visually distinctive early street circuits, racing immediately beside the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral.
- Length: 2.39 km.
- Corners: 13.
- Type: temporary street circuit.
- Main straight: beside the Moskva River on Moskvoretskaya Embankment.
- Landmarks: Kremlin, Red Square, St Basil's Cathedral and Kitay-Gorod.
- Formula E race: 6 June 2015.
Visiting the area today
A good starting point is Zaryadye Park. From the park you can reach Moskvoretskaya Embankment and look across the river while remaining very close to the old Formula E start and finish area.
The circuit also passed through streets around Kitay-Gorod and close to Red Square before returning towards the river. Much of this area has changed significantly since 2015, particularly around Zaryadye.
These are active city streets, so use pavements, crossings and public spaces rather than attempting to follow the racing line through traffic.
Accessibility
Zaryadye provides modern pedestrian areas and accessible parking, but individual Metro stations and historic streets can vary in step-free access. Visitors with specific mobility requirements should check their chosen Metro stations and attraction entrances before travelling.
Moscow Street Circuit is no longer an active Formula E venue. Metro services, airport connections, road restrictions, parking and access around the Kremlin area can change, so check current local transport and visitor information before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Moscow Street Circuit (Moscow, Russia)
Moscow’s former Formula E circuit brought electric racing into the historic heart of the city, with the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral forming an extraordinary backdrop. Formula E no longer races here, but the old circuit area is surrounded by famous landmarks, museums, river walks and Zaryadye Park.
Family-friendly highlights near the old circuit
- Zaryadye Park: The most relevant stop for motorsport fans because the modern park now occupies the former Rossiya Hotel site that the circuit ran around. Walk onto the cantilevered river viewpoint for excellent Kremlin views.
- Red Square: See St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin walls and GUM in one of Moscow’s best-known public spaces, only a short walk from the former track.
- Moskva River cruise: A sightseeing boat offers an easy way to see the Kremlin and central city landmarks without spending hours on foot.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Moscow Kremlin: Allow several hours if you plan to visit the museums and cathedral area rather than simply viewing the walls from outside.
- State Tretyakov Gallery: Cross the river for one of the city’s major art collections, particularly strong in historic Russian painting.
- GUM: This enormous historic shopping arcade beside Red Square is worth seeing for its architecture even if you are not planning to shop.
Eat & drink around central Moscow
- Kitay-Gorod: The streets behind the former circuit provide a convenient choice of cafés and restaurants close to Red Square.
- Try Russian favourites: Pelmeni dumplings, blini pancakes and borscht are straightforward introductions to traditional food.
- Zaryadye area: Combine a park visit with lunch or an early evening meal before walking towards the river and Red Square.
Explore the former circuit area on foot
- Zaryadye & the river: Walk through the park and down towards Moskvoretskaya Embankment to see the setting used by Formula E.
- Red Square & Alexander Garden: Continue around the Kremlin for a simple central Moscow walking route linking several major landmarks.
- Moskva River: Longer riverside walks provide changing views of the Kremlin, bridges and city skyline.
The racing infrastructure was temporary, so treat this as a historic circuit location rather than a preserved track that can be followed exactly.
Easy trips if you have more time
- Kolomenskoye: Explore a large historic estate beside the river with parkland, traditional architecture and the UNESCO-listed Church of the Ascension.
- VDNKh: Spend several hours among monumental Soviet-era pavilions, museums, fountains and large pedestrian spaces.
- Gorky Park: Head along the Moskva River for paths, lawns and recreation, easily combined with nearby museums and riverfront walking.
Good to know when visiting the old circuit
- There is no permanent track: Formula E used ordinary streets with temporary barriers, fencing, pits and grandstands that were removed after the event.
- The area has changed: Zaryadye Park opened in 2017, so the surroundings look noticeably different from footage of the 2015 race.
- Use public transport: Central Moscow is easier to explore by Metro and on foot than by trying to drive around the former circuit.
- Check before travelling: Attraction access, transport arrangements, entry requirements and local visitor conditions can change.
Formula E no longer races at Moscow Street Circuit. Attraction access, museum hours, river services and travel requirements can change - check current official information before travelling.