Al Majaz Waterfront Circuit – Sharjah

When was the track built?

Formula One started looking to the Middle East for new venues at the beginning of the new millennium, and when the new Organization was announced, including a Middle East based series, it was obvious that many new countries would have joined the list.
The Sharjah street circuit, designed by me, is one of the most impressive and magnificent project ever realized for a racetrack: revolving around the Buhaira Corniche and the Khalid Lake, an 8.5 km road course, with permanent pits, passing by or through the waterfront, islands, parks, skyscrapers and the souq will provide amazing races in a unique environment, especially with the nigh race event.

When was its first Grand Prix?

It will be the first ever race in this country.
It will have a secured spot in the F1 Middle East Continental Series.

What’s the circuit like?

It will be classified as a street course, only because it uses the wide newly built roads of the city, but it has no trait whatsoever of a traditional one.
After a slow start, with the first six corners going through the skyscrapers, it goes on the S110, the corniche road, which offers a unique series of super-high-speed bends.
The second sector is more stop-and-go, with heavy braking zones and straights, leading to the final one, which goes over two bridges and has a one-of-a-kind underpass chicane on the Flag Island.
The 1km final straight will see cars reaching 350+ km/h.
Engine power and low drag will be critical, while any mistake will be severely punished due to the high speeds and the proximity of the Tecpro barriers.

Where is it located?

In the Al Majaz Waterfront district of Sharjah, the third most populous city in the UAE; Dubai International airport is just 10km to the south. (+ 26°01’56”, + 50°30’38”)