An adrenaline rush is a huge part of the appeal of all rollercoasters, but the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi took things to a whole new level when it reached speeds of 149 miles per hour (240 km/h). This made it by far the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Then, in early 2024, it abruptly closed, with no notice as to when it might reopen. In the meantime, a new project in Saudi Arabia is promising to be the world’s fastest, steepest and longest roller coaster.
It was built in 2010, on Yas Island, just outside the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi. Within the walls of the sprawling Ferrari World, the track was modeled on the storied Autodromo Nazionale di Monza racetrack, where Formula 1 continues to race each year.
The Formula Rossa reaches 149 mph at its fastest point on the track. The acceleration from 0 to 149 mph takes just four seconds, and anyone aboard must wear safety goggles. In total, the course runs 2,074 meters and takes 92 seconds to complete. You can get a glimpse for yourself in the video below.
The ride is a hydraulic launch coaster. The train is built in the same shape as the Ferrari Formula 1 cars of the early 2000s.
As of January 2024, the Formula Rossa ride is unavailable until further notice. It’s not clear why it is closed and no updates have been given about a potential reopening date.
In the meantime, that means the Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags, New Jersey is again the record holder. With a top speed of 128 mph (206 km/h), it was the world’s fastest roller coaster from 2005 until 2010 and the first to surpass 200 km/h. For as long as the Formula Rossa is closed, it seems fair to return the crown.
Read More: Will the land speed record ever be broken again?
There is another roller coaster under construction in Saudi Arabia, however, that is promising to reach 156 mph (251 km/h) later this year. It will be part of the Six Flags Qiddiya theme park in Riyadh, and the world’s fastest roller coaster isn’t the only record it’s going for. With a drop of 640 feet, and a length of 2.6 miles, it could soon become the fastest, steepest and longest roller coaster in the world. It will be called Falcon’s Flight.
If you liked this Great Big Story, you might want to meet Cheryl and Martin Lewinson, the married couple who been on over 2,000 roller coasters.
