Since the conception of Formula 1 in 1950, 77 different racing circuits have hosted a round of the World Championship. As with the teams and drivers, only the very best get to feature in a championship which rightly considers itself to be the pinnacle of motorsport.
The current crop of 24 circuits across the five different continents each provide their own set of challenges to drivers. However, there has been an increasing amount of homogeneity about many of the new tracks which have been added over the past two decades on account of rising safety demands and a better understanding of the qualities a circuit needs in order to provide great racing action for fans.
This accusation can not be levied against the 5 circuits featured on our list of the top 5 Best F1 tracks of all time. From 14.2 mile monsters and tight city centres, to ever evolving cultural hubs, here are what we consider to be the best F1 circuits to have been featured on the calendar since the first race at Silverstone in 1950.
1. Nurburgring, Germany
Nowhere struck fear into the hearts of drivers like the original Nurburgring circuit which is located in the Eiffel Mountains of Western Germany. Constructed between 1925 and 1927, the circuit was designed as a test facility for German car manufacturers, providing a stern test to help ensure that vehicles produced were the perfect examples of German engineering once they came off the production line.
With a total length of 14.2 miles, memorising the layout was not the work of a moment. However, it is surprisingly not the longest F1 track to have ever featured on the calendar. This honour goes to the 16 mile Pescara Circuit in Italy which hosted one race in 1957. The original Nurburgring circuit however continued to host F1 races all the way up until 1976 on account of it generally being viewed as presenting the greatest driving challenge in the world.
Despite being respected by the drivers of the time, the dangers it presented were well chronicled with Three times World Champion Jackie Stewart famously dubbing it 'The Green Hell'. No less than 5 drivers lost their lives at the track between 1950 and 1976, with Niki Lauda coming perilously close to making it 6 during his fiery crash in 1976. It took this accident for the driver to come together and refuse to race on the original circuit again in the future.
A new, much safer 2.8 mile circuit was constructed in 1984 but this was nowhere near as unique as the original configuration which is still raced on by other categories to this day.
2. Suzuka, Japan
Arguably the best F1 track to feature on the current calendar is Suzuka in Japan. Modern circuits are constructed with the intention of providing plenty of overtaking opportunities to keep the TV spectators entertained and plenty of run-off areas to ensure driver safety. Neither of these considerations were taken into account when Dutchman John "Hans" Hugenholtz designed the Suzuka circuit in 1962.
The circuit was constructed by Honda to serve as their own personal test track and famously follows a figure eight configuration, including a crossover overpass. There is no better place on the current calendar to watch an F1 car in action than when tackling the famous S curves at the beginning of the lap, with the direction change and speed achieved by a car that is property hooked up being truly breathtaking.
Other famous corners along the way include the technical Degner curves and the 130R near the end of the lap, which has been the scene of countless accidents throughout the years as drivers attempt to take the corner at full speed. Circuit modifications and the grip offered by the modern cars have somewhat neutered the challenge of the 130R, but the sight of Fernando Alonso driving around the outside of Michael Schumacher there at close to 200mph in 2005 was still a moment which left fans hiding behind their sofas. Alonso claimed he knew Schumacher would lift the throttle eventually because he "has a wife and kids at home". If he hadn't, there would have been a monumental accident.
3. Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
The fact that the original 8.7 mile Spa-Francorchamps circuit was removed from the F1 calendar after the 1970 race, six years prior to the original Nurburgrung, should tell you something about just how dangerous this circuit had become. Unlike its German equivalent though, the new circuit constructed in 1979 was an instant favourite with drivers and fans alike. Its high speed, sweeping corners and undulations gave drivers the sensation of being on a thrilling rollercoaster, while the long straights ensured that spectators were treated to plenty of overtaking.
Located in the Ardennes mountains, rain is an ever present threat at a circuit which seems to have its own unique micro-climate. Taking on the wet conditions on an already challenging high speed track really helps to separate the great from the good. Names such as Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton and Verstappen have all showcased their supreme skills here over the years. Damon Hill's win for Jordan in 1998 was a particular highlight for fans in what is generally considered to have been the most exciting Grand Prix of all time.
For many, placing Spa only 3rd on our list of the best F1 tracks will be seen as sacrilege, but it has courted plenty of controversy in recent years. The death of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert at the notorious Eau-Rouge corner in 2019 made many question the safety of the circuit. This is one of the few remaining corners in the sport which requires nerves of steel to be taken flat out and removing it completely would almost destroy the soul of the venue.
4. Silverstone, Britain
Since hosting the first ever F1 race in 1950, Silverstone has changed dramatically. Having started out as a slightly modified World War 2 airfield, the circuit has kept up with the pace of development when it comes to safety and facilities despite lacking the government funding which benefits some of the spectacular new venues in the Middle East. The result is a circuit which remains at the very heart of the F1 calendar, with a whole motorsport eco system evolving in the area around it.
Buying a ticket to the British Grand Prix is now about far more than just watching racing cars. It's become an entertainment extravaganza with ticket holders treated to live performances from top musicians, on-stage appearances from F1 personalities, interactive experiences and vibrant shopping regions selling all kinds of F1 memorabilia.
This is of course secondary to the on-track action with the current Silverstone configuration maintaining its reputation for exciting racing. The British Grand Prix is almost always one of the most exciting races on the calendar and one where home favourites have excelled over the years. Lewis Hamilton alone has won the British Grand Prix 9 times in his career, with Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Jackie Stewart, David Coulthard and most recently Lando Norris being just a few of the other British drivers to have had their names inscribed onto the highly coveted trophy.
5. Monaco
Since hosting its first Grand Prix in 1929, the Monaco track configuration has remained remarkably unchanged. This makes it unique on the calendar with a heritage that can be traced further back than the birth of Formula 1 itself. It's one of the few places where modern day F1 stars can truly feel like they are following in the footsteps of greats from the past.
Former champion Nelson Piquet once equated driving in Monaco to riding a pushbike around your front room, and it's hard to argue with him. Nowhere else on the calendar offers the same supreme test of driver skill with cars constantly inches from the barriers at speeds approaching 200mph. Scrapping the Pirelli insignia off the side of your tyres is almost a badge of honour as drivers strive to extract every ounce of performance from their multi-million pound package which is the perfect symbol of Monaco excess and luxury.
Perhaps the highlight of any Monaco F1 weekend is Saturday. Sunday is all about pacing yourself, with the lack of overtaking opportunities allowing some to leave a slightly larger margin for error. There is no such luxury on Saturday as each driver aims to eke every thousandth of a second possible out of their car. It's almost impossible not to be impressed, even for the most skeptical.
Book Your F1 Holiday with Elegant Resorts
These are just a few of the many exceptional F1 tracks on the modern day calendar which now consists of 24 races across 21 countries each year. While the heritage of Monaco, Silverstone, Suzuka and Spa ensure that they retain a special place in the heart of long-term fans, the newer venues such as the Jeddah Corniche Circuit are setting new standards that all other destinations will be striving to equal in the years to come.
You can experience one of these F1 tracks in person when you book a luxury F1 holiday with Elegant Resorts. Our Luxury Travel Specialists will work with you to help you create a tailor made package which is bespoke to your needs and requirements. Start the exciting process of planning your next F1 holiday with Elegant Resorts by getting in touch with a member of our team today.