Formula Rossa opened on November 4, 2010 at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. Built by Intamin, the Formula One-themed launch coaster used a hydraulic catapult system to fling riders from a standstill to 100 km/h in about 2 seconds and on to a top speed of 240 km/h (149.1 mph) in just 4.9 seconds, instantly making it the fastest roller coaster on Earth.
The ride held that title for roughly 15 years, until Falcon’s Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia opened on December 31, 2025 with a top speed of 155.3 mph. Formula Rossa closed for an extensive refurbishment from January 2024 to December 2024 before reopening, and it remains a marquee attraction at Ferrari World, requiring riders to wear protective goggles against sand and wind at speed.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: November 4, 2010
- Height: about 170.6 ft (52 m)
- Top Speed: 149.1 mph (240 km/h)
- Length: about 6,804 ft (2,074 m)
- Inversions: 0
- Launch: Hydraulic launch, 0-149.1 mph in 4.9 seconds
The Ride Experience
Formula Rossa’s signature moment comes in the opening seconds: a hydraulic launch system rated at roughly 20,800 horsepower rockets the Ferrari-styled cars down a 400-meter launch track, generating forces up to 4.8 g. Because the sensation of wind at nearly 150 mph can be intense, and Abu Dhabi’s climate brings occasional sandstorms, every rider is required to wear protective safety goggles supplied by the park before boarding.
Despite its extreme speed, the layout has no inversions, relying instead on a large camelback hill and sweeping turns across its roughly 6,800-foot circuit to deliver airtime and lateral forces rather than loops. The entire ride, launch included, lasts only about a minute and a half, making it as much a raw speed showcase as a traditional coaster experience.
A Record-Setting Legacy
When it opened in 2010, Formula Rossa dethroned Kingda Ka to become the world’s fastest roller coaster, a title it defended for about 15 years. That reign ended on December 31, 2025, when Falcon’s Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia opened with a top speed of 155.3 mph using a linear synchronous motor launch instead of hydraulics.
Formula Rossa underwent a lengthy closure from January 2024 through December 2024 for refurbishment before reopening to the public, and it continues to operate today as the star attraction of Ferrari World’s Formula One-themed park.
Explore more: Explore more record-breaking roller coasters.
Formula Rossa FAQs
Is Formula Rossa still the fastest roller coaster in the world?
No. It held the record from its 2010 opening until December 31, 2025, when Falcon’s Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia surpassed it with a top speed of 155.3 mph.
How fast does Formula Rossa go and how quickly does it get there?
It reaches a top speed of 149.1 mph (240 km/h), hitting 100 km/h in about 2 seconds and its full top speed in about 4.9 seconds via a hydraulic launch system.
Why do riders have to wear goggles on Formula Rossa?
The park provides safety goggles because the combination of high speed and Abu Dhabi’s windy, sandy climate can make riding without eye protection uncomfortable or unsafe.
Get More from Formula Rossa
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Formula Rossa, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Stdragon04 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.