Formula Rossa: the roller coaster that was the world's fastest, and how to ride it

Not any more, and it is worth being straight about that. From 2010 until the end of 2025, Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi held the title of the fastest roller coaster on Earth. On 31 December 2025, Falcons Flight opened at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia with a top speed of 250 km/h, and the speed record moved across the border.

That does not make Formula Rossa any less extraordinary. It still hits 240 km/h, it is still the fastest roller coaster in the UAE and one of the fastest anywhere, and Ferrari World describes it as the fastest launch coaster. What makes it unforgettable is not the top speed on paper but the launch itself: from standstill to 240 km/h in around 4.9 seconds, in a car shaped like a Formula One racer.

It also helps to know that roller coaster records come in several flavours: top speed, height, length, steepest drop, most inversions. Formula Rossa was always about raw speed and acceleration. It was never the tallest coaster, and it was not designed to be. So when you compare it with other rides, compare like with like: the launch is the experience you are travelling for.

If you are a coaster fan travelling to Abu Dhabi, it remains a pilgrimage ride. If you are a nervous first-timer, read on: the rules, the timing and the alternatives inside the park make it easier to decide whether it is for you.

Ferrari World publishes the key figures for the ride, and they explain why it held the record for so long. The launch is hydraulic, the kind used on the most powerful launch coasters, and the track is long by coaster standards, at roughly two kilometres.

These are the official numbers for Formula Rossa:

Formula Rossa is not a coaster of loops and drops in the classic sense. It is about acceleration. You sit low in a red car, pull down the restraint, put on the compulsory protective goggles and wait for the launch. When it comes, the push into your seat is sudden and enormous, and within a few seconds you are travelling faster than most cars ever will.

After the launch, the train climbs to its highest point at 52 metres and then races through a long, twisting layout around the park. The ride is over quickly, but riders usually step off with their hearts racing and their faces stretched into a grin, or occasionally a look of shock.

The goggles are not decoration. At 240 km/h, even small particles in the air can hit hard, which is why the park makes them compulsory. Follow the staff's instructions on hats, loose items and phones before you board.

Ferrari World sets a minimum height of 140 cm and a maximum of 195 cm for Formula Rossa. The limits are checked at the entrance, so measure children before you travel to avoid disappointment at the gate. Very tall riders should also take the upper limit seriously.

As with any high-intensity ride, the park's safety guidance at the entrance applies. People who are pregnant, have heart, back or neck problems, or have had recent surgery should read it carefully and, if in doubt, speak to their doctor before the trip rather than on the day.

If you are unsure whether you will enjoy it, watch a couple of launches from outside the ride first. The sound alone tells you a lot. Many first-timers find that the anticipation in the queue is the hardest part, and that the ride itself, short and smooth on the track, is over before fear has a chance to set in. If you decide against it, there is no shame in switching to one of the gentler rides and letting the braver members of the group report back.

Because of its speed, Formula Rossa can close for strong wind and for maintenance. That is not unusual, but it catches people out when it is the main reason for the trip. Check the ride status on the official website or app on the day, and ask at the park entrance before you head straight to it.

Opening hours change through the year, during Ramadan and on public holidays, so always check the official calendar for your date. In the hotter months, many visitors prefer to arrive at opening time and keep the outdoor walking between parks to a minimum.

Queues tend to be shortest soon after opening and on weekdays outside school holidays. If Formula Rossa is your priority, go there first and explore the rest of the park afterwards.

If Formula Rossa is closed, too intense or just not enough, Ferrari World has other rides that deserve a place on your list. These three are the ones thrill-seekers usually rate highest, with figures from the park's own pages:

Ferrari World sits on Yas Island, connected to Yas Mall, about 110 to 120 km by road from Downtown Dubai. Beyond Ferrari World, the island has Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Yas Island and CLYMB, with indoor climbing and indoor skydiving. Two-park and three-park tickets exist, with conditions and prices that change, so compare them on the official sites before buying.

The free Yas Express shuttle links points around the island; check routes and times on the day. If you are staying in Dubai, a car with a driver is the most comfortable way to cover the distance, especially with children or if you plan to leave after dark.

With a full day, many families do Ferrari World in the morning and spend the afternoon at a second park or in Yas Mall. If you want shopping in the capital as well, our guide to where to shop in Abu Dhabi covers Yas Mall and the rest, and the Abu Dhabi family itinerary has more ideas for children.

We start on WhatsApp with who is in the group, their heights and how much adrenaline everyone really wants. From there we suggest the right ticket for Ferrari World, or a combination with a second park on Yas Island, and check opening hours for your date.

We arrange a car with a driver from your hotel in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, plan the arrival around opening time so Formula Rossa comes first, and build in a plan B if the ride is closed for wind. Ferrari World usually needs four to six hours, and we can add VIP experiences in the park where available. Prices and conditions change through the year, so we confirm everything for your date before booking. If you are combining it with the capital's sights, our Abu Dhabi day trip guide shows how the day fits together.