Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli at a glance
- Location
- Misano Adriatico, Emilia-Romagna
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 4.226 km (2.626 mi)
- Turns
- 16
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1972
- Owner
- Misano World Circuit S.p.A.
- Capacity
- 60,000
- Address
- Via Daijiro Kato, 10
- Phone
- +39 0541 618511
- Website
- misanocircuit.com
Track map and layout
Misano sits just inland from the Adriatic coast near Rimini and runs clockwise over a compact, flowing 4.226 km lap, a direction change from its original anti-clockwise configuration made in 2006 to improve overtaking and safety. The track mixes fast, sweeping sections with a tight, technical infield, and is popular with riders for its rhythm rather than any single signature corner. Expanded and resurfaced in 2007-08 to bring it up to current MotoGP and Formula E standards, the circuit is squeezed into a relatively small footprint close to the beach resorts of the Romagna Riviera, which shapes both its layout and the huge crowds that descend on the area for the San Marino Grand Prix.
Named corners and sections
- Curva del Rio. A fast right-hander early in the lap named after a nearby stream, one of the corners most affected by the 2006-08 reconfiguration.
- Quercia. A tightening corner named for a nearby oak tree, part of the technical infield sequence.
- Curvone. A long, sweeping corner ('big curve' in Italian) that carries high speed into the closing sector.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit | 4.23 km | current MotoGP/WorldSBK/Formula E layout, 16 turns, clockwise since 2006 |
Events and race weekends
Misano's biggest weekend is the MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix in September, run in a region with a passionate motorcycle-racing following on both sides of the Rimini-San Marino border. The circuit also hosts a full round of World Superbike, historically one of its best-attended weekends, plus events across touring cars, trucks and historic racing.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MotoGP San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix | MotoGP | September | |
| WorldSBK Italian/Emilia-Romagna Round | World Superbike Championship | June/July |
Getting there and parking
Misano sits on the Adriatic coast between Rimini and Riccione, making Rimini's Federico Fellini Airport the closest gateway and Bologna a larger alternative around 90 minutes away. Riccione and Rimini railway stations, both on the Bologna-Ancona coastal line, are a short taxi or bus ride from the circuit, and are well connected to Bologna and onward to the wider Italian rail network.
- Rimini Federico Fellini Airport (RMI) · about 15 min drive
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) · about 90 min drive
Parking
Paid car parks surround the circuit for MotoGP and WorldSBK weekends; the coastal roads around Misano and Riccione get very congested, so shuttle buses from nearby towns are a popular alternative to driving.
Stay near a Riccione or Rimini bus/shuttle stop for MotoGP weekend — coastal road traffic between the resorts and the circuit is heavy, and public transport links are well organised for race days.
Hotels and camping near Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
Misano sits in the middle of the Romagna Riviera's dense strip of beach resort hotels, and visitors typically stay in Riccione, Rimini, Cattolica or Misano itself, all within a short drive of the circuit and offering everything from budget pensions to larger seafront hotels. Rooms across the Riviera fill up and rise sharply in price for the MotoGP weekend, which coincides with the tail end of the Italian beach season.
Where to look
Riccione and Rimini offer the largest concentration of hotels within easy reach; Cattolica and Misano Adriatico itself are closer to the gates and popular with fans wanting a shorter commute.
Camping
Camping areas operate around the circuit for MotoGP and WorldSBK weekends, and the wider Riviera also has established campsites aimed at the summer beach trade that fans use as a budget base.
RV
Motorhome parking is available in designated zones near the circuit for major race weekends, bookable through official event ticketing.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Misano is one of Italy's most active circuits for public track days, particularly popular with motorcycle riders thanks to its flowing, rider-friendly layout and mild coastal climate for much of the year. Car and bike track days run through the circuit itself and a range of third-party organisers, with sessions typically split by experience level.
Who runs days here
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MotoGP lap record | 1:30.877 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Desmosedici GP | 2024 |
| World Superbike lap record | 1:31.945 | Nicolò Bulega | Ducati Panigale V4 R | 2026 |
Spectator guide
Misano's compact layout means fans can see a large portion of the lap from several general admission areas, and its proximity to the beach resorts means a race weekend often doubles as a Riviera holiday for visiting families. The San Marino Grand Prix draws a strongly partisan Italian crowd, with Valentino Rossi's VR46 academy riders and Ducati's home-team status adding extra atmosphere.
Seating
Grandstands line the main straight and several infield corners; general admission hillside and trackside areas cover much of the rest of the lap.
Best places to watch
The main straight grandstands are best for starts and finishes; general admission areas around the Curvone give a good view of a long, high-speed sweep.
Weather
- September (MotoGP): warm, highs typically 24-27°C, still within the Adriatic beach season
- June/July (WorldSBK): hot and humid, highs often 28-31°C
History of Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
A Riviera circuit built for the 1970s boom
Misano World Circuit opened in August 1972 as a purpose-built racing venue close to the beach resorts of Rimini and Riccione, tapping into a region already popular with Italian holidaymakers. It became a regular stop for motorcycle grand prix racing through the 1970s and 1980s, developing a strong following in a part of Italy with deep roots in motorcycle culture.
Rebuilding for the modern era
The circuit underwent a major reconfiguration between 2006 and 2008, reversing the direction of travel to clockwise and rebuilding much of the infield to modern FIM and FIA safety standards, taking the lap to its current 4.226 km. In 2007 it was renamed in memory of Marco Simoncelli, the young Italian MotoGP rider from nearby Coriano who was killed in a crash at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix; the circuit has carried his name since, a fitting tribute given the strength of local motorcycle racing culture around Misano and Rimini.
San Marino's home round
Today Misano hosts the MotoGP San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix each September, a full round of World Superbike, and, in the past, Formula E's Misano ePrix on a reworked layout. Ducati's presence just up the coast in Bologna and the strong regional following for Valentino Rossi's VR46 riders give the San Marino weekend a genuine home-race atmosphere, and the circuit's location amid Riviera hotels and campsites makes it one of the more accessible European rounds for travelling fans.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Misano circuit?+
The Grand Prix Circuit is 4.226 km (2.626 miles) with 16 corners.
Why is Misano named after Marco Simoncelli?+
The circuit was renamed Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in 2007 in memory of the Italian MotoGP rider from nearby Coriano, who was killed in a crash at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix.
What is the MotoGP lap record at Misano?+
1:30.877, set by Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati Desmosedici GP in 2024.
Which direction does the Misano circuit run?+
Clockwise. The track originally ran anti-clockwise but was reversed as part of a major 2006-08 reconfiguration.
What is the nearest airport to Misano?+
Rimini Federico Fellini Airport, about 15 minutes' drive; Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is a larger alternative roughly 90 minutes away.
Where do MotoGP fans stay for the San Marino Grand Prix?+
Most stay in the Adriatic resort towns of Riccione, Rimini or Cattolica, all within a short drive of the circuit and part of Italy's dense Romagna Riviera hotel strip.
Other tracks nearby
- Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari · 88 km · road course
- Autodromo dell'Umbria Mario Umberto Borzacchini · 99 km · road course
- Mugello Circuit · 105 km · road course
- Adria International Raceway · 128 km · dormant
- Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi · 202 km · road course
- Opatija Circuit (Preluk) · 202 km · historic circuit (defunct)
Facts checked against 2 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-10.