Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

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Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan
Marrakech Circuit 2016.svg
Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–2022)
Circuito Urbano de Marrakech.svg
Original Street Circuit (2009–2015)
Location Marrakech, Morocco
Time zone UTC+01:00
Coordinates 31°35′11″N7°59′10″W / 31.58639°N 7.98611°W / 31.58639; -7.98611
Capacity10,000
FIA Grade 2
OperatorMGP (2009–present)
Opened1 May 2009;16 years ago (2009-05-01)
ArchitectD3 Motorsport Development
Major eventsFormer:
Formula E
Marrakesh ePrix (2016, 2018–2020, 2022)
FIA WTCR Race of Morocco
(2009–2010, 2012–2019)
TCR World Tour (2024)
Auto GP (2012–2014)
FIA Formula Two (2010)
Website https://www.marrakechgrandprix.com/
Permanent Circuit (2016–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.701 km (1.057 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record0:50.613 ( Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ma Qinghua, Lynk & Co 03 FL TCR, 2024, TCR)
Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–2022)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.971 km (1.846 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:20.296 ( Flag of Brazil.svg Lucas di Grassi, Audi e-tron FE05, 2019, F-E)
Original Street Circuit (2009–2015)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.545 km (2.824 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:28.450 ( Flag of India.svg 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.

Contents

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

Former

Lap records

As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
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

YearRaceDriverTeam
2021-22 Marrakesh ePrix Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Edoardo Mortara Flag of Monaco.svg Venturi Racing
2019-20 Marrakesh ePrix Flag of Portugal (official).svg António Félix da Costa Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Techeetah
2018-19 Marrakesh ePrix Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jerome D'Ambrosio Flag of India.svg Mahindra Racing
2017-18 Marrakesh ePrix Flag of Sweden.svg Felix Rosenqvist Flag of India.svg Mahindra Racing
2016-17 Marrakesh ePrix Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Sébastien Buemi Flag of France.svg Renault e.dams

WTCR

YearRaceDriverManufacturerReport
2019 Race 1 Flag of Argentina.svg Esteban Guerrieri Flag of Japan.svg Honda Report
Race 2 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of South Korea.svg Hyundai
Race 3 Flag of Sweden.svg Thed Björk Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Flag of Sweden.svg Lynk & Co
2018 Race 1 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of South Korea.svg Hyundai Report
Race 2 Flag of France.svg Jean Karl Vernay Flag of Germany.svg Audi
Race 3 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of South Korea.svg Hyundai

WTCC

YearRaceDriverManufacturerReport
2017 Race 1 Flag of Argentina.svg Esteban Guerrieri Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Report
Race 2 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Tiago Monteiro Flag of Japan.svg Honda
2016 Race 1 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Tom Coronel Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Report
Race 2 Flag of Argentina.svg José María López Flag of France.svg Citroën
2015 Race 1 Flag of Argentina.svg José María López Flag of France.svg Citroën Report
Race 2 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Flag of France.svg Citroën
2014 Race 1 Flag of Argentina.svg José María López Flag of France.svg Citroën Report
Race 2 Flag of France.svg Sébastien Loeb Flag of France.svg Citroën
2013 Race 1 Flag of Denmark.svg Michel Nykjær Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Report
Race 2 Flag of Spain.svg Pepe Oriola Flag of Spain.svg SEAT
2012 Race 1 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Report
Race 2 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet
2010 Race 1 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of Spain.svg SEAT Report
Race 2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Priaulx Flag of Germany.svg BMW
2009 Race 1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Huff Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Report
Race 2 Flag of Italy.svg Nicola Larini Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet

AutoGP

YearRaceDriverTeam
2014 Race 1 Flag of Japan.svg Kimiya Sato Flag of Italy.svg Euronova Racing
Race 2 Flag of Germany.svg Markus Pommer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Super Nova International
2013 Race 1 Flag of Italy.svg Sergio Campana Flag of Spain.svg Ibiza Racing Team
Race 2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luciano Bacheta Flag of Austria.svg Zele Racing
2012 Race 1 Flag of Italy.svg Sergio Campana Flag of Italy.svg Team MLR71
Race 2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris van der Drift Flag of the Netherlands.svg 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. 1 2 "NEXT STOP: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO". fiawtcc.com. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
    2. 1 2 "Marrackech Racetack Unveiled". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Retrieved 23 November 2008.[ dead link ]
    3. 1 2 "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.
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