Yas Marina Circuit: From desert dream to iconic F1 venue

From bare sands to global stage, how Yas Marina Circuit became a motorsport masterpiece

Last updated:
Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor
3 MIN READ
Over the years, Yas Marina Circuit has evolved from a desert vision into a world-renowned motorsport hub, hosting the season-ending Formula 1 Grand Prix and a range of international events, becoming a symbol of innovation, speed, and the UAE’s growing presence in global racing.
Over the years, Yas Marina Circuit has evolved from a desert vision into a world-renowned motorsport hub, hosting the season-ending Formula 1 Grand Prix and a range of international events, becoming a symbol of innovation, speed, and the UAE’s growing presence in global racing.
Gulf News archives/Supplied/Virendra Saklani

In 2006, Abu Dhabi unveiled an ambitious plan to turn Yas Island—then a barren piece of land—into a global entertainment and sporting destination. At the heart of this vision stood the Yas Marina Circuit, a Formula 1 racetrack designed not only for speed, but also for luxury, innovation, and international prestige.

Construction of the 5.5-kilometre track began in May 2007. What followed was a transformation of epic scale—engineers and designers worked tirelessly to bring the desert to life.

By October 2009, the Yas Marina Circuit was ready to host its first Formula 1 race. It made its debut as the season finale of the 2009 F1 World Championship, featuring a dramatic sunset race format under floodlights. Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel took the win, ahead of teammate Mark Webber and newly crowned champion Jenson Button.

Since then, Yas Marina Circuit has become one of Formula 1’s most iconic venues. Known for its stunning waterfront location, illuminated night races, and modern paddock facilities, it has played host to unforgettable moments in racing history—none bigger than Vettel’s 2010 title win, clinched at Yas.

But the circuit’s impact goes beyond Formula 1. It has become a year-round hub for motorsport and entertainment, hosting events such as drag races, the Gulf 12 Hours, concerts, fitness challenges, and public driving experiences. It’s also home to the Yas Driving School and numerous community events that promote motorsport and healthy living.

From a dusty stretch of land to a global destination, the Yas Marina Circuit is more than just a racetrack. It’s a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s ambition, a stage for speed and spectacle, and a crown jewel in the world of international motorsport.

Devadasan K P
Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor
Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.

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