Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

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; 15 years ago (2009-05-01)
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)

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.

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

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

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

1. "NEXT STOP: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO". fiawtcc.com. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
2. "Marrackech Racetack Unveiled". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Retrieved 23 November 2008.^{[dead link]}
3. "Marrackech Morocco". formulatwo.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
4. "Marrackech GP Joins 2009 WTCC Calendar". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 14 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
5. "Circuit Moulay El Hassan in Morocco to undergo major facelift". TouringCarTimes. 7 December 2015.
6. "2024 Automobile Moulay El Hassan Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Race 2 Final Results" (PDF). 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
7. "WTCC 2016 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 7 Results". 8 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
8. "WTCR 2018 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 3 Results". 8 April 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
9. "2013 Marrakech Auto GP - Round 3". Motor Sprt Magazine. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
10. "WTCC 2015 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 4 Results". 19 April 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
11. "WTCC 2012 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 5 Results". 15 April 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
12. "Morocco F1 Grand Prix Emerges as a Leading Contender to Host Future". Ticket Grand Prix. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.

External links

• WTCC Official website
• Circuit's Official website
• Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
• Moroccan Grand Prix