Yas Marina Circuit may host 2012 MotoGP

Future MotoGP calendar may include Abu Dhabi's lavish Yas Marina Circuit, which hosted the final round of the F1 season on Sunday. The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, and is situated on Yas Island, about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Yas Marina is the second Formula One track in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain.


ìWe are working on 2012 MotoGP," Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit. "It's not confirmed yet, but we are working on that with MotoGP. The circuit may have to have some work on the curves but this is normal."

Abu Dhabi stages the only twilight race in F1, starting just before sunset on a naturally lit track, before finishing under floodlights. The 5.554 km circuit has few potential overtaking spots. From turns 2, 3, 4 down to 5 will be a good place as a car which has good speed out of Turn 4 could get beside a fellow driver and outbrake them. After turn 7 the second longest straight on the Formula One calendar (after the Korean GP) is ended with a heavy braking chicane at turn 8. Finally the long curve down to turn 11 as the potential for overtaking. The pit exit of circuit runs under the actual track through a tunnel. Also, part of the track runs through one of the on site hotels.


Qatar, MotoGP's only night race, is presently the only motorcycle grand prix event held in the Middle East.