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Motorsport✓ Guy-tested

Driving Yas Marina Circuit

The home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, open to the rest of us.

On this page: What it offers · Plan the day · Formula 1 at Yas Marina. Who it's for: thrill-seekers, first-timers and visitors who want more than a mall.

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Quick facts

Thrill4 of 5:
Physical effort2 of 5:
Family-friendly–
Value for money–
Guy's verdict–
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  • Location: Abu Dhabi

Yas Marina Circuit Map: Driving Yas Marina Circuit Enquire / book More adventure Related: yas island

Paris had track coaching at Yas Marina Circuit in the motorsport episode above. The circuit hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and on other days it sells time on the same tarmac.

What it offers

  • Driving experiences and passenger experiences.
  • Branded programmes: the Porsche, AMG and Alfa Romeo experiences.
  • Car track days, plus drag, drift and driving courses, in your own car or bike.
  • Karting at Yas Kartzone.

Plan the day

Yas Island has the theme parks, a wind tunnel and the waterfront: see our Yas Island guide. For Abu Dhabi beyond Yas, read the Abu Dhabi day trip.

Formula 1 at Yas Marina

The circuit's biggest weekend is the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix every December: Paris's guide covers the 2026 dates, the track and his 2021 race weekend.

From the Guy in Dubai video archive

Formula 1: A Masterclass in Racing (YouTube, Paris Norriss channel, uploaded 2019)

About Formula 1: A Masterclass in Racing

Formula One is the fastest and most exciting major motor sport event in the world. I've loved it since I was a kid and it's always been a dream to race on a racing track. I finally got to try this out on the Yas Marina Circuit which is the final track of the season.

Yas Marina Circuit has driving experiences where you can get trained to race by an expert race driving trainer. I took to the track in an Aston Martin GT4 which is specifically designed for Track racing. I certainly felt like a Grand Prix legend like Louis Hamilton down the straight and it wasn't easy to coordinate the gears, brakes and steering at such speed.

I now have a much larger respect for race drivers, as it seriously isn't easy. If you want to try this at the Yas Circuit then they have these experiences open to the public with varying costs depending on which car you'd like to drive.

FAQ

Can the public drive the F1 track in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, through Yas Marina Circuit's driving experiences and track days.

Is the Grand Prix circuit open during race week?

Race week is for the Grand Prix itself; book experiences for other dates.

Sources

Facts checked October 2026. Opening times, age limits and seasons change, so confirm with the operator before you go.

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