New Rio motor racing circuit in top gear

Article posted by Coliseum, September 4^th, 2025

Image: Populous

Populous has been selected to carry out the technical and conceptual development of the new Guaratiba Park Motorsports Circuit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Populous said the new circuit aims to reposition the city on the international motorsport map and create an entertainment hub in Rio’s West Zone.

The project is divided into five themed areas, each inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s landscapes: the boardwalk, the mangrove, the Atlantic Forest, the city center, and the city’s iconic avenues.

The circuit has been designed to host all existing motorsport competitions, with an innovative and challenging layout that promises to attract both drivers and motorsport enthusiasts.

It will feature 11 possible track layouts, enabling it to host a wide range of motorsport competitions.

Simulations with Formula 1 cars estimate an average speed of approximately 241 km/h and lap times around 1:09.5. The track length is 4.71 km.

The development is being led by a consortium of companies, spearheaded by Genial Investimentos, with initial project management by Rock World.

Alongside Populous, the consortium also includes WSP, a pioneer in infrastructure, transport, environmental and building solutions consulting, and Driven International, the world’s leading motorsport circuit design specialist, responsible for projects such as the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia and the Navarra Circuit in Spain.

The project already incorporates accessibility resources, environmental compensation measures, and the creation of an Autodrome Park with public areas integrated into the track layout.

According to the Project timeline, it will now move on to the required licensing stages, with construction expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix is currently held at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo as part of a deal that runs until 2030.

Last year, MotoGP announced that it would return to Brazil in 2026 as part of a five-year deal to race at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna track in Goiânia.

Populous, a global leader in sports and entertainment venue design, has been responsible for projects including Sphere Las Vegas, Yankee Stadium in New York, Tottenham Stadium in London, and the UK’s iconic Silverstone Circuit.

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