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Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

Coordinates: 31°35′11″N 7°59′10″W / 31.58639°N 7.98611°W / 31.58639; -7.98611
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Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

Semi-Permanent Circuit (2016–2022)

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
OperatorMGP (2009–present)
Opened1 May 2009; 15 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/
Permanent Circuit (2016–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.701 km (1.057 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record0:50.613 (China 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 (Brazil 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 (India 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

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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

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Current
Former

Lap records

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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

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Formula E

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

WTCR

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Year Race Driver Manufacturer Report
2019 Race 1 Argentina Esteban Guerrieri Japan Honda Report
Race 2 Italy Gabriele Tarquini South Korea Hyundai
Race 3 Sweden Thed Björk ChinaSweden Lynk & Co
2018 Race 1 Italy Gabriele Tarquini South Korea Hyundai Report
Race 2 France Jean Karl Vernay Germany Audi
Race 3 Italy Gabriele Tarquini South Korea Hyundai

WTCC

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

AutoGP

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Year Race Driver Team
2014 Race 1 Japan Kimiya Sato Italy Euronova Racing
Race 2 Germany Markus Pommer United Kingdom Super Nova International
2013 Race 1 Italy Sergio Campana Spain Ibiza Racing Team
Race 2 United Kingdom Luciano Bacheta Austria Zele Racing
2012 Race 1 Italy Sergio Campana Italy Team MLR71
Race 2 New Zealand Chris van der Drift Netherlands Manor MP Motorsport

Future developments

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b "NEXT STOP: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO". fiawtcc.com. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Marrackech Racetack Unveiled". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Retrieved 23 November 2008.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b "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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