Yas Marina Circuit has unveiled a new upgrade to its race control room ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, introducing advanced systems designed to deliver optimal performance, precision, and safety as the world’s top drivers converge for the season’s final showdown.

The race control room serves as the operational nerve centre during every session—from practice and qualifying to race day—where officials monitor the track, enforce regulations, and ensure safety for drivers, teams, and tens of thousands of spectators.

With the multi-million-dirham revamp, the facility now ranks among the most technologically sophisticated in global motorsport, reinforcing Yas Marina Circuit’s standing as one of the world’s most advanced Formula 1 venues.

“As host of the F1 season finale, Yas Marina Circuit is the stage for historic moments, be it a title-deciding race or a driver’s farewell,” said Ali Al Beshr, General Manager of Yas Marina Circuit at Ethara. “That raises the stakes and motivates us to continuously innovate our infrastructure so the sport can be experienced at its absolute best. This upgraded control room gives officials the technology and environment to make split-second decisions with confidence, so the racing itself can shine.”

At the heart of the overhaul is a suite of smart systems designed for greater speed, flexibility, and efficiency. Officials can instantly route any of 55 camera feeds, timing systems, car trackers, or broadcast streams to any workstation monitor via tablet control—eliminating the need for extra hardware or IT intervention.

The upgrade also enhances the circuit’s adaptability for international events. Global championships, including Formula 1, can now plug directly into the infrastructure without bringing additional equipment, significantly cutting down setup time and costs.

Beneath the surface, new underfloor cabling, concealed access panels, and integrated sound systems have streamlined the workspace, enabling faster rigging and transitions between events.

During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, 28 officials will work inside the control room—some for shifts lasting up to 12 hours. To support their focus and well-being, the room has been reimagined around human-centered design principles.

A theatre-style tiered layout gives every operator clear sightlines of the main display screens, while a darker palette and dimmable LED lighting minimize glare and eye strain. Ergonomic, custom-built desks integrate communication panels and wireless charging to reduce clutter and maintain seamless coordination.

“The Yas Marina Circuit control room has been years in the making, and we’re proud of the result,” said Stuart Latham, Yas Marina Circuit’s Safety & Operations Director. “We didn’t just meet FIA standards, we exceeded them. Every detail creates a working environment built for the world’s greatest motorsport championships. Simply put, it’s one of the most technologically advanced race control facilities in world motorsport.”

The new facility made its operational debut during the opening round of the Yas Racing Series from October 31 to November 2, and will oversee a packed 2025/26 motorsport calendar including the Autonomous Racing Series, Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours, Asian Le Mans Series, Formula 4 Middle East, and Formula Regional Middle East.

The 2025 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place at Yas Marina Circuit from December 5–7.