Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

The Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan (also known as Marrakech Street Circuit and Marrakech Racetrack) is a 2.971 km (1.846 mi) temporary street circuit in Agdal district, Marrakech, Morocco.[1] The circuit is operated by MGP.[2] It has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.

Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–present)

Original Street Circuit (2009–2015)
LocationMarrakech, Morocco
Time zoneUTC+01:00
Coordinates31°35′11″N 7°59′10″W / 31.58639°N 7.98611°W / 31.58639; -7.98611
Capacity10,000
FIA Grade2[a]
OperatorMGP
Opened1 May 2009; 14 years ago (2009-05-01)
ArchitectD3 Motorsport Development
Major eventsCurrent:
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)
Websitehttps://www.marrakechgrandprix.com/
Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.971 km (1.846 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:20.296 (Brazil Lucas di Grassi, Audi e-tron FE05, 2019, Formula E)
Original Street Circuit (2009–2015)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.545 km (2.824 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:28.450 (India Narain Karthikeyan, Lola B05/52, 2013, Auto GP)

History edit

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 edit

Current
Former

Lap Records edit

As of January 2019, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event Circuit Map
Semi-Permanent Circuit: 2.971 km (2016–present)
Formula E 1:20.296 Lucas di Grassi Audi e-tron FE05 2019 Marrakesh ePrix  
TC1 1:23.087[6] Hugo Valente Lada Vesta WTCC 2016 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco
TCR Touring Car 1:26.150[7] 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[8] 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[9] José María López Citroën C-Elysée WTCC 2015 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco
Super 2000 1:44.617[10] Pepe Oriola SEAT León WTCC 2012 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco

Results edit

Formula E edit

Year Race Driver Team Report
2021-22 Marrakesh ePrix   Edoardo Mortara   Venturi Racing Report
2019-20 Marrakesh ePrix   António Félix da Costa   Techeetah Report
2018-19 Marrakesh ePrix   Jerome D'Ambrosio   Mahindra Racing Report
2017-18 Marrakesh ePrix   Felix Rosenqvist   Mahindra Racing Report
2016-17 Marrakesh ePrix   Sébastien Buemi   Renault e.dams Report

WTCR edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

Formula 1, recognized globally as the pinnacle of automotive racing sports, is exploring new horizons, potentially including Morocco in its high-speed saga. 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 edit

  1. ^ Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan's Grade 2 license expired on 28 February 2023.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "NEXT STOP: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO". fiawtcc.com. 2009-04-25. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  2. ^ a b "Marrackech Racetack Unveiled". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Retrieved 2008-11-23.[dead link]
  3. ^ a b "Marrackech Morocco". formulatwo.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  4. ^ "Marrackech GP Joins 2009 WTCC Calendar". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Archived from the original on November 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  5. ^ "Circuit Moulay El Hassan in Morocco to undergo major facelift". TouringCarTimes. 7 December 2015.
  6. ^ "WTCC 2016 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 7 Results". Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  7. ^ "WTCR 2018 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 3 Results". Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. ^ "2013 Marrakech Auto GP - Round 3". Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  9. ^ "WTCC 2015 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 4 Results". Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  10. ^ "WTCC 2012 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 5 Results". Retrieved 11 January 2023.

External links edit