Yas Marina opened in 2009 as Formula 1's first day-to-night season finale. Criticism of slow corners and difficult overtaking led to a major 2021 redesign that removed several bends, widened the hotel section and created a faster lap.
Sebastian Vettel won his first title in 2010 after Fernando Alonso became trapped behind Vitaly Petrov. Nico Rosberg sealed the 2016 crown here, while the controversial 2021 safety-car restart decided the Hamilton-Verstappen championship on the final lap.
Across 5.281 km, its 16 corners create a distinct rhythm between braking, precision and acceleration. As a permanent racing circuit, it asks drivers and teams to adapt setup, tyre management and race strategy to the venue's particular constraints, while its anti-clockwise direction shapes the sequence of its most demanding sectors.
