Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan
The Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan (also known as Marrakech Street Circuit and Marrakech Racetrack) is a semi-permanent street circuit in Agdal district, Marrakech, Morocco.[1] The circuit is operated by MGP.[2] It has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.
Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–2022) Original Street Circuit (2009–2015) | |
| Location | Marrakech, Morocco |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
| Coordinates | 31°35′11″N 7°59′10″W |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Operator | MGP (2009–present) |
| Opened | 1 May 2009 |
| Architect | D3 Motorsport Development |
| Major events | Current: TCR World Tour (2024) Former: Formula E Marrakesh ePrix (2016, 2018–2020, 2022) FIA WTCR Race of Morocco (2009–2010, 2012–2019) Auto GP (2012–2014) FIA Formula Two (2010) |
| Website | https://www.marrakechgrandprix.com/ |
| Permanent Circuit (2016–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.701 km (1.057 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 0:50.613 ( Ma Qinghua, Lynk & Co 03 FL TCR, 2024, TCR) |
| Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–2022) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.971 km (1.846 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.296 ( Lucas di Grassi, Audi e-tron FE05, 2019, F-E) |
| Original Street Circuit (2009–2015) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.545 km (2.824 miles) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:28.450 ( Narain Karthikeyan, Lola B05/52, 2013, Auto GP) |
History
MGP's partner in Morocco, D3 Motorsport Development, was given the responsibility of the design of the street circuit. It is the same architect company that designed the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit in Australia.[3] Groupe Menara oversaw the construction on the Route de l'Ourika/Boulevard Mohammed based track.[2] The paddock had been paved alongside the walls of the Royal Garden and more than 2,500 concrete impact blocks and many debris fence panels had been put in place to bound the track.[1]
The third round of the 2009 WTCC season was held there on 3 May 2009, becoming the first international car race in Morocco since the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix at the Ain-Diab Circuit in Casablanca and the first event for the WTCC in Africa.[4]
The original circuit had a very simple layout. It was a 4.545 km (2.824 mi) flat oval circuit with a hairpin at one end and chicanes punctuating the straights, running in an anticlockwise direction.[3] In December 2015, it was announced the circuit would undergo a major overhaul to make it more challenging. Only half of the original circuit was utilized when the new layout came into effect for the 2016 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco.[5]
Events
- Current
- May: TCR World Tour (2024)
- Former
- Auto GP (2012–2014)
- FIA Formula Two (2010)
- Formula E
- Marrakesh ePrix (2016, 2018–2020, 2022)
- World Touring Car Championship
- FIA WTCC Race of Morocco (2009–2010, 2012–2017)
- World Touring Car Cup
- FIA WTCR Race of Morocco (2018–2019)
Lap records
As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Circuit: 1.701 km (2016–present) | ||||
| TCR Touring Car | 0:50.613[6] | Ma Qinghua | Lynk & Co 03 FL TCR | 2024 Marrakesh TCR World Tour round |
| Semi-Permanent Circuit: 2.971 km (2016–2022) | ||||
| Formula E | 1:20.296 | Lucas di Grassi | Audi e-tron FE05 | 2019 Marrakesh ePrix |
| TC1 | 1:23.087[7] | Hugo Valente | Lada Vesta WTCC | 2016 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco |
| TCR Touring Car | 1:26.150[8] | Gabriele Tarquini | Hyundai i30 N TCR | 2018 FIA WTCR Race of Morocco |
| Original Street Circuit: 4.545 km (2009–2015) | ||||
| Auto GP | 1:28.450[9] | Narain Karthikeyan | Lola B05/52 | 2013 Marrakech Auto GP round |
| F2 (2009–2012) | 1:31.312 | Dean Stoneman | Williams JPH1 | 2010 Marrakech Formula Two round |
| TC1 | 1:43.480[10] | José María López | Citroën C-Elysée WTCC | 2015 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco |
| Super 2000 | 1:44.617[11] | Pepe Oriola | SEAT León WTCC | 2012 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco |
Results
Formula E
WTCR
| Year | Race | Driver | Manufacturer | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Race 1 | Esteban Guerrieri | Honda | Report |
| Race 2 | Gabriele Tarquini | Hyundai | ||
| Race 3 | Thed Björk | Lynk & Co | ||
| 2018 | Race 1 | Gabriele Tarquini | Hyundai | Report |
| Race 2 | Jean Karl Vernay | Audi | ||
| Race 3 | Gabriele Tarquini | Hyundai | ||
WTCC
| Year | Race | Driver | Manufacturer | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Race 1 | Esteban Guerrieri | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Tiago Monteiro | Honda | ||
| 2016 | Race 1 | Tom Coronel | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | José María López | Citroën | ||
| 2015 | Race 1 | José María López | Citroën | Report |
| Race 2 | Yvan Muller | Citroën | ||
| 2014 | Race 1 | José María López | Citroën | Report |
| Race 2 | Sébastien Loeb | Citroën | ||
| 2013 | Race 1 | Michel Nykjær | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Pepe Oriola | SEAT | ||
| 2012 | Race 1 | Alain Menu | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Yvan Muller | Chevrolet | ||
| 2010 | Race 1 | Gabriele Tarquini | SEAT | Report |
| Race 2 | Andy Priaulx | BMW | ||
| 2009 | Race 1 | Robert Huff | Chevrolet | Report |
| Race 2 | Nicola Larini | Chevrolet |
AutoGP
| Year | Race | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Race 1 | Kimiya Sato | Euronova Racing |
| Race 2 | Markus Pommer | Super Nova International | |
| 2013 | Race 1 | Sergio Campana | Ibiza Racing Team |
| Race 2 | Luciano Bacheta | Zele Racing | |
| 2012 | Race 1 | Sergio Campana | Team MLR71 |
| Race 2 | Chris van der Drift | Manor MP Motorsport |
Future developments
Formula 1, recognized globally as the pinnacle of automotive racing sports, is exploring new horizons, potentially including Morocco in its high-speed saga.[12] Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula 1 Group, has revealed ongoing discussions to host a Grand Prix event in Africa, pinpointing North Africa and South Africa, alongside considerations for two countries in the Far East. Morocco emerges as a frontrunner in this expansion strategy, given its historical ties to Formula 1 and its fusion of rich cultural heritage with captivating urban landscapes. This move marks a significant step in Formula 1's global outreach, promising to blend the thrill of racing with Morocco's scenic beauty and cultural depth.
Notes
References
- "NEXT STOP: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO". fiawtcc.com. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- "Marrackech Racetack Unveiled". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
- "Marrackech Morocco". formulatwo.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- "Marrackech GP Joins 2009 WTCC Calendar". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 14 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
- "Circuit Moulay El Hassan in Morocco to undergo major facelift". TouringCarTimes. 7 December 2015.
- "2024 Automobile Moulay El Hassan Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Race 2 Final Results" (PDF). 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- "WTCC 2016 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 7 Results". 8 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- "WTCR 2018 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 3 Results". 8 April 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- "2013 Marrakech Auto GP - Round 3". Motor Sprt Magazine. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- "WTCC 2015 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 4 Results". 19 April 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- "WTCC 2012 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 5 Results". 15 April 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- "Morocco F1 Grand Prix Emerges as a Leading Contender to Host Future". Ticket Grand Prix. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.