Track Length: 2.626 miles (4.226 km) Number of Turns: 16 (10 right, 6 left) Circuit Type: Permanent road course Direction: Clockwise Longest Straight: 530 meters Track Width: 12 meters FIA Grade: Grade Two Primary Use: MotoGP racing, World Superbike, GT, and Formula E (modified layout) at this technical racing circuit.
Misano is a deceptively technical track, known for its role in MotoGP racing and the demand for precise throttle control and rhythm through its compact infield section. The triple apex of Turns 6, 7, and 8 flows into a fast flick through Turn 9, making mid-corner stability and balance critical for success on this technical racing circuit. The back section—with complex transitions from Turn 10 to Turn 16—requires commitment and concentration to maintain flow before attacking the main straight. Turn 15, a fast left-hander, is one of the track’s signature corners and can be taken flat with the right setup, but becomes a trap on worn tires or in high fuel conditions. The Curvone, a formerly flat-out right-hander now interrupted by a chicane, still tests bravery, especially in high-downforce machinery. For overtaking, look to Turn 8 after the fast section and Turn 1 off the straight—both prime zones where late braking can make the difference in MotoGP racing.
Built in 1972 and significantly renovated in 2006, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli has seen its identity evolve alongside MotoGP racing itself. Originally known as Circuito Internazionale Santa Monica, it changed direction (literally) when it reversed layout orientation to clockwise and modernized to meet MotoGP standards in the mid-2000s.
The circuit was renamed in 2012 to honor the late Marco Simoncelli, a local hero tragically lost during the 2011 Malaysian GP. Its spiritual connection to Italian motorsport remains strong—not just because of its location near Rimini and Cattolica, but also for its deep MotoGP legacy, as well as a somber association with pivotal moments in racing history, like the career-ending crash of Wayne Rainey in 1993 and the fatal accident of Shoya Tomizawa in 2010.
Misano also adapts—hosting Formula E races using shortened layouts and modified barrier configurations. Despite its moderate length, it punches above its weight as one of the most challenging technical racing circuits, demanding precision over power and offering no room for mental lapses. It's a rider’s and driver’s circuit that truly tests their skills.
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