If you’ve ever stuck your head out of a car window while doing 60 mph on the highway, you know that wind hits different at high speeds. Now, imagine doubling that. Then triple it. Then add a bit more for good measure. That’s basically the starting point for Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world. It’s sitting in the middle of a desert at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and honestly, calling it a "ride" feels like a bit of an understatement. It’s more like being strapped to the wing of a fighter jet that’s having a very bad day.
Most people think they want speed. They go to their local theme park, ride something that hits 70 mph, and think they’ve seen it all. But Formula Rossa is a different beast entirely. It hits 149.1 mph (240 km/h). It doesn’t "climb" a hill to get there. There’s no slow click-click-click of a chain lift to build tension. Instead, you just sit there. You wait for the hydraulic launch system—the same kind used to fling jets off aircraft carriers—to decide it’s time.
Then, everything goes blurry.
The Brutal Physics of 149 Miles Per Hour
We need to talk about that launch. It takes 4.9 seconds to go from zero to top speed. That sounds fast on paper, but in person, it’s violent. You’re pulling about 4.8 Gs. To put that in perspective, your body suddenly feels nearly five times heavier than it actually is. Your cheeks peel back. Your eyes start to water instantly. In fact, the speed is so intense that the park forces every rider to wear skydiving goggles.
Why? Because the coaster is in Abu Dhabi. It’s in the desert. If a grain of sand or a stray beetle hits your eyeball at 150 mph, you aren’t just having a bad day—you’re going to the hospital.
The engineering behind this is honestly kind of insane. Intamin, the Swiss company that built it, couldn't use a traditional motor. They had to use a massive hydraulic winch system. This thing generates 20,800 horsepower. It’s the kind of power that makes a Ferrari Enzo look like a lawnmower. While you’re sitting at the starting line, you can actually hear the system charging up. It’s a low, mechanical hum that vibrates through your seat, telling your lizard brain that you should probably get out while you still can.
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Why Nobody Has Beaten the Record Since 2010
You’d think in the sixteen years since Formula Rossa opened, someone would have built something faster. We have better computers now. We have better materials. So why is this 2010 relic still wearing the crown?
It’s not just about the cost. It’s about the heat.
Abu Dhabi gets hot. Really hot. When you run a train at those speeds, the friction on the wheels is astronomical. If the temperature outside is 105°F, and you’re friction-heating those wheels at 149 mph, they will literally melt. The maintenance team at Ferrari World has to use specialized cooling systems and check the wheels constantly. Most parks don't want that headache. It’s a logistical nightmare.
Then there’s the "Six Flags" problem. Remember Kingda Ka in New Jersey? It held the record before Formula Rossa. It uses a similar hydraulic launch, but it goes straight up 456 feet. Formula Rossa doesn’t do that. It stays relatively low to the ground. By keeping the track low, they can maintain that high speed for longer without losing momentum to gravity. If you tried to build a 160 mph coaster that also went 500 feet high, the structural reinforcements required would make the project bankrupt most companies.
The Contenders that Faltered
- Falcon’s Flight: This is the big one people keep talking about. It’s currently under construction at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia. The claims are wild—speeds over 155 mph and a drop over a desert cliff. Until it opens and clears a radar gun, Formula Rossa is still the king.
- Top Thrill 2: Cedar Point tried to revamp their legendary speedster, but they moved away from the "all-at-once" hydraulic launch in favor of a multi-pass LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) launch. It’s fast, but it’s a different kind of sensation. It’s a build-up, not a punch in the face.
- Ring°Racer: This was supposed to be the "Formula Rossa killer" in Germany. It was built next to the Nürburgring. It was a disaster. The pneumatic launch system kept exploding (literally), and it eventually opened years late at a much lower speed before closing forever. It’s a cautionary tale for anyone trying to chase the 150 mph mark.
What It’s Actually Like to Ride
The queue is usually filled with people who look a little bit green. The cars are shaped like Ferrari F1 chassis, painted that iconic Rosso Corsa red. You climb in, and the restraints are surprisingly minimal. It’s a lap bar. No over-the-shoulder harnesses to hold your head still. This is intentional—it lets you feel the speed—but it also means your neck is doing a lot of work.
When the light turns green, there is no "roll." You just disappear.
The first 2,000 meters of track are basically a blur of tan sand and red steel. The wind noise is deafening. It sounds like a hurricane is screaming in your ears. Because the track is so long (over 7,000 feet), the ride actually lasts a decent amount of time. Usually, high-speed coasters are over in 30 seconds. This one gives you time to contemplate your life choices as you fly through sweeping turns that pull massive lateral Gs.
By the time the trim brakes kick in at the end, you’re usually covered in a thin layer of dust and sweating from the adrenaline dump. Your heart rate is likely sitting north of 150 bpm. It’s exhausting. It’s not a "fun" ride in the way a Disney carousel is fun. It’s an endurance test.
Practical Tips if You’re Heading to Abu Dhabi
Don't just show up and hope for the best. If you want to experience the fastest roller coaster in the world, you need a game plan.
Check the weather. Formula Rossa is temperamental. If the wind is too high, they shut it down because the train might not "clear" the hills (called a rollback). If it's too hot, they might pause operations to let the wheels cool. Early morning is usually your best bet.
Front row or bust. If you’re going all the way to the UAE, wait the extra 20 minutes for the front seat. The sensation of 150 mph wind hitting those goggles is half the experience. In the back, you just see the back of someone's head and feel the vibration.
Eat later. This isn't just "don't throw up" advice. The G-forces on the launch are heavy on your stomach. Grab your pasta at the Italian-themed restaurants after you've survived the launch.
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The Goggle Secret. Ensure the strap is tight. If they slip down to your neck during the launch—which happens more than you’d think—you’ll be forced to keep your eyes squinted shut the whole time to protect them from the wind blast.
The Future of the Speed Record
We are currently in a weird transition period for coaster tech. Hydraulics, like the ones used on Formula Rossa, are becoming "old tech." They are expensive to maintain and prone to leaking oil. Most new coasters use magnets (LSMs). Magnets are reliable and smooth, but they struggle to provide that "kick in the teeth" acceleration that Formula Rossa has.
For Falcon’s Flight to take the record, it’s going to use a massive series of LSMs and a huge drop to gain speed. It’s a different philosophy. For now, Formula Rossa remains the purest expression of raw, mechanical violence in the amusement park world. It doesn't use gravity to get its speed; it uses sheer, fermented horsepower.
If you’re a bucket-list traveler, this is the one. Just remember to keep your mouth closed during the launch. Nobody wants to swallow a desert fly at Mach 0.2.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the official Ferrari World Abu Dhabi website for maintenance schedules; they often take Formula Rossa down for weeks at a time for deep inspections.
- Book a "Premium" pass if you’re visiting on a weekend. The line for the front row can easily exceed two hours, and the desert heat is no joke.
- Explore the rest of the park. While Rossa is the star, "Flying Aces" actually has a steeper, more intense drop that many enthusiasts argue is the better overall ride.