Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan
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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 Script error: No such module "convert". 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
- Auto GP (2012–2014)
- FIA Formula Two (2010)
- Formula E
- Marrakesh ePrix (2016, 2018–2020, 2022)
- TCR World Tour (2024)
- 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 | Template:Flagicon Esteban Guerrieri | Template:Flagicon Honda | Report |
| Race 2 | Template:Flagicon Gabriele Tarquini | Template:Flagicon Hyundai | ||
| Race 3 | Template:Flagicon Thed Björk | Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon Lynk & Co | ||
| 2018 | Race 1 | Template:Flagicon Gabriele Tarquini | Template:Flagicon Hyundai | Report |
| Race 2 | Template:Flagicon Jean Karl Vernay | Template:Flagicon Audi | ||
| Race 3 | Template:Flagicon Gabriele Tarquini | Template:Flagicon Hyundai |
WTCC
AutoGP
| Year | Race | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Race 1 | Template:Flagicon Kimiya Sato | Template:Flagicon Euronova Racing |
| Race 2 | Template:Flagicon Markus Pommer | Template:Flagicon Super Nova International | |
| 2013 | Race 1 | Template:Flagicon Sergio Campana | Template:Flagicon Ibiza Racing Team |
| Race 2 | Template:Flagicon Luciano Bacheta | Template:Flagicon Zele Racing | |
| 2012 | Race 1 | Template:Flagicon Sergio Campana | Template:Flagicon Team MLR71 |
| Race 2 | Template:Flagicon Chris van der Drift | Template:Flagicon 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
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External links
- WTCC Official website
- Circuit's Official website
- Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
- Moroccan Grand Prix
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