What makes a great venue for a Formula 1 race?
The world championship takes in a wide range of courses: Permanent tracks and closed streets; Long straights and complex sequences; Super-fast corners and tight chicanes.What combination of these adds up to the ultimate Formula 1 track? Does it only matter if they provide a varied race with lots of overtaking, or does it matter how challenging the track is for drivers?
The world championship consisted of a record-breaking 24 rounds last year. It will repeat every one of them in 2025. With no substantial changes to the layouts expected, here is RaceFans’ ranking of every current F1 venue. Each has been graded on the challenge provided by its layout, the quality of racing it produces (partly based on RaceFans’ Rate the Race scores), and how its audience and location contribute to the atmosphere of the event.
24: Yas Marina
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 2 |
| Layout | 2 |
| Racing | 1 |
Yas Marina was built with a money-no-object budget on an artificial island. Its designers wasted their blank canvas, producing a tedious, slow layout with vast, forgiving asphalt run-off areas and little driving challenge.
A 2021 overhaul deleted several of its worst corners, yet the layout still has little to commend it besides the novelty value of a pit lane exit which tunnels beneath the first corner. Had it not enjoyed the benefit of hosting several title-deciders, almost none of Yas Marina’s races would be memorable.
23: Losail International Circuit
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 1 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 1 |
Similar to Bahrain in terms of surroundings, albeit with a quicker, more challenging layout. Possibly too challenging for F1’s tyres, as all three of its races have seen either unexpected punctures or, in 2023, emergency measures to avoid them. That makes it reasonable to question whether modern F1 cars are actually compatible with this track.
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22: Miami International Autodrome
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 2 |
| Layout | 2 |
| Racing | 3 |
Liberty Media’s many attempts to hold a race in downtown Miami were thwarted. Clearly desperate to make good on its pledge to bring F1 back to Florida, it signed off this insipid course which winds its way around the grounds of the Hard Rock Stadium.
The ghastly turn 14-15 chicane looks like something from a late-era Champ Car street track and surely ranks as F1’s worst corner. None of its three grands prix to date generated much action, and the race is best known for outrageous food prices and the much-derided ‘fake marina’ of its inaugural year.
21: Bahrain International Circuit
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 1 |
| Layout | 2 |
| Racing | 4 |
The first glimpse of the Bahrain International Circuit just over 20 years ago was a depressing sign of how far F1 had lowered the bar in its eagerness to court wealthy race promoters. Now the world championship was racing on a scaled-up go-kart track in the middle of a desert. It proved a sign of things to come.
While no one would describe its layout as challenging, it has at least produced some good races, though not last year. Its transition to a night race in 2014 has helped to mask its less than telegenic, ex-camel farm surroundings.
20: Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Jeddah is a faux street track, laid out on purpose-built roads within the city. While it has some impressively quick corners, it opens with a clear example of terrible design: a desperately slow chicane with an easily cheated run-off area.
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 1 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 2 |
F1 drivers are somewhat conflicted about Jeddah, enjoying its high speeds but also regularly describing it as the most dangerous track – and not just because of the missiles landing nearby.
19: Baku City Circuit
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 1 |
| Layout | 3 |
| Racing | 3 |
This isn’t a racing track layout, it’s a tour bus route intended to show off local landmarks. However the course becomes more interesting after the first sector and the high speeds make for a worthwhile challenge.
Baku has a reputation for producing crash-strewn races which it only occasionally lives up to, at least as far as F1 is concerned.
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18: Shanghai International Circuit
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 2 |
| Layout | 2 |
| Racing | 3 |
China’s world championship venue is an oddball affair. It features some genuinely unusual corners but lacks flow, stopping and starting. It’s built on an entirely different scale to most tracks, massively wide in places with an enormous back straight.
Modern F1 cars can at least race reasonably well there, and F1’s long absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic does not seem to have diminished local enthusiasm for the race.
17: Circuit de Catalunya
‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ was the aphorism which captured F1’s relationship with the home of the Spanish Grand Prix for many years. As teams regularly tested at the Circuit de Catalunya, they generally arrived with their cars well-tuned to the track.
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 3 |
| Layout | 3 |
| Racing | 2 |
A couple of revisions in the 2000s didn’t help: Turn 10 was tightened in a futile attempt to aid overtaking, and a chicane added at the end of the lap for safety reasons. These changes have since been reversed and its layout is better for it, but it looks likely to disappear from F1’s schedule after next year when the race moves to Madrid. It might be thought of more fondly once it’s been replaced with yet another street circuit.
16: Hungaroring
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 3 |
| Layout | 3 |
| Racing | 2 |
The Hungaroring was derided when the compact, winding course joined the calendar in 1986, at a time when F1 still visited the monstrously fast Osterreichring a short distance away. It’s a mark of the standard of later circuits that its reputation has improved, though the track itself also benefited from positive revisions in 1989 and 2003. An all-new paddock will greet teams this year.
15: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
The Mexican Grand Prix promoters are blessed with an ideal venue for their round of the world championship – not many metropolises have FIA grade one permanent racing circuits within their environs. However the track’s refurbishment for its return to the championship after a 23-year absence was a case study in how to ruin a circuit.
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 5 |
| Layout | 1 |
| Racing | 2 |
The mighty Peraltada, scene of one of F1’s greatest overtaking moves of all time, was bypassed in favour of a slow tour through a former baseball stadium. It couldn’t be made safe for modern F1 cars, they said, but just a few years later they were racing at Jeddah.
Every corner on the track was tightened. No doubt the designers faced a challenge working within the limits they had, but did corners combinations like two-three and four-five-six-seven really need to be so excessively slow? Mexico’s enthusiastic fans deserved much better.
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14: Singapore
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 3 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 2 |
F1’s original night race was also its most gruelling event for many years, though it has potentially lost that crown to Losail. The 2023 layout tweak also took the edge off it – in fact, it took four edges off it, creating a longer straight near the end of the lap.
Arguably this has diminished the track’s character somewhat, making it less brutally tough over a grand prix distance, without adding much to it. However it remains one of few true street tracks on the F1 calendar, and one where overtaking is just about possible. Another revamp is expected next year.
13: Las Vegas Strip Circuit
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 2 |
| Racing | 4 |
F1’s newest venue has only held two races and might only hold one more. Although its layout is simple, this gives it the rare characteristic of being one of the few truly high-speed venues F1 visits: A Hockenheim with casinos instead of trees.
12: Red Bull Ring
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 3 |
| Racing | 3 |
The reputation of the Red Bull Ring can’t help but suffer by comparison to the daunting Osterreichring which preceded it. However, the track has a lot to commend it: Good opportunities for racing, genuinely quick corners and spectacular scenery. The track operators are also finally getting on top of the track limits problem which blighted it for far too long.
11: Albert Park
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 3 |
| Racing | 3 |
Melbourne’s scenic parkland circuit has always been tricky with little room for error. Its well-judged overhaul, first used in 2022, amplified those qualities, increasing the speed of several corners and deleting one of its slower bends. Passing remains tricky, but this is nonetheless one of F1’s best temporary tracks.
Happily, it has been reinstated as the season-opening race this year, a role which suits it to a tee.
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10: Monaco
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 5 |
| Racing | 1 |
Of course Monaco does not deserve a place among the 10 best circuits in terms of the quality of racing it produces. When it’s dry, the Monaco Grand Prix is usually a procession, and a quirk of F1’s rules made it even worse last year.
But the challenge of this impossibly narrow and twisty circuit is truly unique. Street tracks like this have to be seen to grasp just how ludicrous it is that drivers tackle them at F1 speeds. Some demands the Monte-Carlo course must be overhauled to suit modern F1, or dispensed with entirely; on the contrary, it’s the excessively wide and heavy cars which need to change.
9: Imola
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 2 |
Imola will forever be associated with the double tragedy of 1994, following which the track was emasculated with yet more chicanes. However some of its high-speed character was restored prior to its return to the F1 calendar in 2020.
It remains a gorgeous venue, the cars winding their way through the Parco delle Acque Minerali. The crowd invariably reserve the loudest cheers for their beloved Ferraris.
8: Zandvoort
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 5 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 2 |
If the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez suffered an ugly facelift in 2015, Zandvoort enjoyed much more sensitive treatment six years later. Already much changed from the version F1 previously raced at in the eighties, much of its character was retained through an intelligent and sensitive updating, including the addition of two steeply banked turns.
The rapid, undulating corners in the middle of the track are its highlight, though it is probably still too narrow in places for F1 cars to race well. Sadly, they won’t return after next year.
7: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 3 |
| Racing | 4 |
The Isle Notre Dame in Montreal barely has enough room for a Formula 1-grade track. As a result, it has several compromises, not least its very awkward pit lane entrance.
But the track named for the late Gilles Villeneuve simply works, daring drivers to take just a little too much speed over its tricky kerbs and between its instantly punishing walls. It’s on the doorstep of a terrific city, too.
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6: Monza
Like Monaco, Monza is something of an anachronism, albeit a glorious one. It is still F1’s fastest circuit, and enjoys the benefit of a superb setting and passionate crowd.
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 5 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 3 |
Since the seventies, F1 has had to tame Monza’s extreme speeds using chicanes, there being insufficient room for larger run-offs at many of its corners. Although the Rettifilo is one of the most unappealing corners anywhere, it is the only thing to be said against this magnificent piece of the past.
5: Circuit of the Americas
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 5 |
Austin’s Formula 1 circuit is a glorious rebuke to the claim that no one builds good permanent racing facilities any more. From its steep climb after the start, through its sinuous and rapid first sector, and around the rapid turns 16-17-18, this is a hugely impressive course.
The tedious run through turns 12 to 15 is the only thing to be said against it. But even this should be improved this year, as the track operators are understood to be finally taking steps to toughen up the excessively generous run-off areas which F1 drivers have abused for years.
4: Interlagos
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 5 |
| Layout | 4 |
| Racing | 4 |
When the original Interlagos circuit was shortened for F1’s return in 1990, the designers hit upon a winning mixture of acceleration zones, corner speeds and gradient which make for both a challenging course and superb racing. The pit lane entrance is a bit sketchy, but that has been substantially improved by recent improvements.
Even when it doesn’t rain and there isn’t a championship left to decide, Interlagos often produces memorable races. The locals will have one of their own to cheer on this year, which should add to the atmosphere.
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3: Silverstone
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 3 |
| Layout | 5 |
| Racing | 5 |
Few tracks have lasted as long or gone through as many changes as Silverstone while remaining in such good shape. Its last change in 2010 provoked some knee-jerk grumbles about the loss of Bridge, a corner which had already been toned down by the addition of a chicane. Its new sequence, though somewhat ponderous, has opened up further overtaking opportunities.
The rest of the track is thrillingly fast: Copse, Maggotts/Becketts and Stowe are incredible places to watch F1 cars show what they can do. Silverstone’s origins as an airfield make it nothing much to look at, but the racing and packed crowd usually makes up for that.
2: Suzuka
Few circuits inspire the kind of respect and reverence among F1 drivers that Suzuka does. The first sector is a dazzling sequence of high-speed switchback corners, and the challenge doesn’t let up from there until drivers reach the long straights at the end of the lap.
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 5 |
| Layout | 5 |
| Racing | 3 |
It’s had a few tweaks to tame some of its more extreme corners, notably 130R, which isn’t what it was. Passing isn’t easy either, and races can be processional, but Suzuka retains its capacity to impress.
The Japanese fans are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and turn up in huge numbers even when there isn’t a local driver on the grid.
1: Spa-Francorchamps
F1 last raced on the old, ‘monster’ Spa-Francorchamps in 1970. When it returned 13 years later, the circuit had been shortened and renovated but also much improved.
| Scores | |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | 4 |
| Layout | 5 |
| Racing | 5 |
While majestic corners such as Eau Rouge were retained, others such as Pouhon were created. They remain over 40 years later, though the ever-improving capabilities of F1 cars and inevitable changes to run-off areas have lessened their challenge somewhat.
Even so, this is one of few circuits where F1 cars can truly impress us with their capabilities, and do so in a picturesque environment. Aside from the necessary evil of its ponderous final chicane, Spa is a masterpiece. Sadly, F1 will only visit it once every other year after 2027.
Over to you
How far do you agree or disagree with our ranking? Have your say in the comments.
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Exediron (@exediron)
12th February 2025, 7:30
While the top three are hard to argue with in some order, I think the ‘atmosphere’ category had far too much effect on the overall ranking. Atmosphere only matters to the fans trackside, which is a tiny minority of the people watching any given Grand Prix. If a track consistently produces good races, it’s a good track for F1.
Imola and Zandvoort have been dreadful in the modern era. No way they deserve to be that much higher than tracks like Bahrain or China, both of which have often produced good races.
MacLeod (@macleod)
12th February 2025, 7:55
Zandvoort Qualifying is also an 5 ask the drivers, racing is depending on the conditions.
but China is higher then Zandvoort I have to disagree …
Jere (@jerejj)
12th February 2025, 8:25
@exediron I couldn’t agree more with you.
Webbo (@webbo82)
12th February 2025, 9:24
While I respect Keith enormously, this really has the feel of one traditionalist’s view – was it really ‘we’ who ranked this?
I’d prefer a follow-up using average racefans’ race ratings, other staff, viewership, track attendance and more.
Silverstone a 3 for atmosphere and 5 for racing? Somewhat miserly on the middle east region as a whole.. Bahrain lower than Catalunya?
MPR139
12th February 2025, 9:25
Completely agree. It’s laughable to have Monaco and Albert Park that far above Bahrain as well. Both are relative old timers and great atmosphere but usually produce absurdly dull races.
Can’t argue with Yas Marina though. I’m based in Abu Dhabi and usually watch from home and only head over to the circuit for the concerts if they’re good…
uzsjgb (@uzsjgb)
12th February 2025, 11:03
Exactly. I never minded the empty Covid races, because watching on TV I am not interested in views of the grandstands, that just distracts from racing.
Concernin which races produce good racing – and this should be the top criteria by far – we can consult the Rate the Race data on this site. There Bahrain ranks much higher than Spa for example.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
12th February 2025, 11:42
Tiny minority but all the atmosphere. Sporting events at this level without fans is for robots.
StefMeister (@stefmeister)
12th February 2025, 13:06
@exediron I don’t think atmosphere is something you only feel at the circuit as for me at least it’s always been something that comes across on the TV and is something that can make an event feel bigger and in some cases more enjoyable.
There are therefore certain races that do have an incredible atmosphere thanks to the location, surroundings and fans which will always feel more special and enjoyable to me than others regardless of what is happening on the track.
It’s why I always hate it when Bahrain is the opening round of the season. Starting at a race that lacks atmosphere just always makes the first round feel that bit less of a big deal to me and it’s the same with Abu Dhabi been the last race.
El Pollo Loco
13th February 2025, 12:00
There should probably be two separate rankings:
-Best track for TV viewers
-Best tracks for attending in person, which IMO, would include how fun the overall experience. For example, Montreal is a city amazing during Grand Prix weekends, is convenient to reach and is located on a cool little island. Monza is a gorgeous drive with a great crowd and some awesome views of the track. Etc.
And, if one likes, they could produce a third category combining the two averages for an overall rank.
BasCB (@bascb)
12th February 2025, 7:57
I am unsure Suzuka really deserves to be that high up nowadays. Yes, it IS a magnificent track and a good challenge for drivers, but the racing? Sorry, but in recent years it has shown it is not the right track for the current cars anymore. I would also rate Interlagos above Silverstone personally, but that’s probably just preference.
To me Austria could be higher, since it does have a great atmosphere from the fans there and the general access offers fans amazing view of a large part of the track where you get action. The racing there also tends to offer a lot (yes, good that they seem to have finally cracked the track limits thing now). The CotA track is good, but I wouldn’t rank it higher than Monza or Montreal, although I do agree we should acknowledge their effort in building a solid track. And Imola to me seems largely a lovely track with pink glasses vibes, while it just isn’t up to par for modern F1 cars to give us good racing.
I also agree with Exediron that while Bahrain might not be a superb track, the racing we’ve seen there has been pretty decent. Not sure why one would rank Las Vegas with an atmosphere of 4 and quality of racing as high as it is, while it is not as bad a track as Jeddah (which was purpose built to be dangerous and still not that great for racing) it really doesn’t offer that good racing nor have we seen anything like a thrilling atmosphere there (unless fancy lighted buildings is what we call atmosphere nowadays, but then Singapore has it beaten on that aspect and you should give Yas Marina bonus points for the hotel as well). To me Vegas is a slight improvement over Sochi with a less noodly design of the track and a less obnoxious government regime (well, at least a bit).
Jere (@jerejj)
12th February 2025, 8:25
@bascb I agree in principle regarding everything.
mmertens (@mmertens)
12th February 2025, 18:12
Yes, I tend to agree more with your views than Keith’s one.
Ideals (@ideals)
12th February 2025, 8:10
Pretty close to what my own ranking would be. I’d have Zandvoort a bit lower and Austria a bit higher, but other than that nothing much of note. It’s also sad to note that the only tracks seemingly secure to return on a yearly basis without ever worrying about losing their spot on the calendar are ranked in the bottom 10, with the tracks struggling to find a way onto the calendar year on year all in the top 10.
David (@nvherman)
12th February 2025, 8:21
In my opinion, Las Vegas should be down the bottom of the list along with Miami et al, and the Hungaroring should be higher.
Hard to disagree with the top 10, especially Spa-Francorchamps being number 1 (being the only Grand Prix I’ve ever been able to get to attend, better than Silverstone IMO, even though I live in the UK)
Jere (@jerejj)
12th February 2025, 8:23
I don’t think I can necessarily agree with this particular rating order, especially having Sakhir, Jeddah, Shanghai, Baku, & even Losail ranked lowly, not to mention Yas Marina last & more than half below Monaco, Imola, & Zandvoort.
Regarding some circuits, more specifically, the Jeddah T1-2 combo may be annoying slow compared to all other (actual) corners, but overall, the track configuration is very enjoyable to drive.
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, I agree that the T2-3 & 4-7 combos could be slighter & most notably, I wish the Foro Sol section became a single 90-degree left-hander, which would still allow decent car viewing time but be more enjoyable to drive than two tight turns.
Marina Bay Street Circuit would receive another revamp in 2027 at the earliest, or even 2028, as per the most recent info.
However, after having watched some virtual images of how the relevant area will look when completed, the original floating stadium corner complex return seems impossible if anything, so continuing to drive on Raffles Avenue might prove to be a permanent necessity, after all.
Las Vegas continuing beyond the upcoming season is merely a formality & the configuration itself would be even better if T8 were slighter, & the same with 7, 12, & 14 apex curbs.
Monaco, nothing quirky about the rule regarding tyre changing & most likely only a coincidental one-off thing for a while anyway.
The Imola circuit is decently enjoyable to drive, but getting dropped for at least the 2026 season is all but confirmed.
The Rettifilo chicane is indeed the only bad thing about Monza & surrounding space-wise, that chicane could definitely be similar to the first Mulsanne straight chicane.
With Silverstone, the 2010-present configuration is definitely more enjoyable than the preceding one due to its higher average lap speed.
The same aspect that’s true about the Japanese crowd, i.e., turning up in huge numbers even without a national driver is equally true for the Chinese.
Spa-Francorchamps’ rotation could alternatively start sooner as their new contract is flexible based on what I’ve read, meaning that what truly matters is holding at least four times until 2031 regardless of in which particular years.
All in all, for almost all current circuits, I’m more or less okay with their current configurations, although some tweaks for a slighter radius could be made here & there.
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
12th February 2025, 8:26
The Bahrain track is fantastic so should at least be higher than Vegas. Vegas is woeful.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
12th February 2025, 10:16
I agree about Bahrain, and the racing at Hungaroring is also underrated, those two might be my top two tracks as a TV viewer for the hybrid era.
Konstantinos
12th February 2025, 8:28
I love the Red Bull Ring so a bit surprised to see it so low. It ticks my personal boxes, it’s varied with plenty of space for sid ebay side action, super-legible for the audience and it’s also beautyful. Those two first corners can also be quite tense if you have drivers fighting for position.
Last thing, and this might just be me, but the sound that the tires make against the curbs specifically in Austria is so cool…
Tomcat173 (@tomcat173)
12th February 2025, 8:29
Wouldn’t the F1 calendar be substantially better if it was limited to the first 16 races on this list above?
Spa, Suzuka, Silverstone, Interlagos, COTA, Monza, Montreal, Zandvoort, Imola, Monaco, Albert Park, Redbull Ring, Vegas, Singapore, Mexico, Hungaroring. They’re all we really need, and a good mixture of different types of circuits. The remaining 8 are really forgettable from a racing perspective.
PacificPR (@streydt)
12th February 2025, 10:29
+1
James
12th February 2025, 11:05
Agree completely. Some of the tension of the championship dicing is lost when it goes on too long too. Like if a driver misses a race or has an engine failure, that can really add some randomness when its only 16 races, and puts the pressure on him too. I also feel as though the drivers suffer from more fatigue over 24 races and the quality of racing drops.
I wouldn’t miss any of the Middle Eastern circuits, nothing against them in principle but they happen not to be up to much. I would however swap Shanghai for Singapore in this list to make up the best possible 16. There’s been some great races there.
Jere (@jerejj)
12th February 2025, 11:39
James Drivers definitely aren’t entirely immune to the seasons’ overall burden either despite having some stuff comparatively easier than mechanics & engineers.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
12th February 2025, 11:14
Absolutely spot on.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:36
Yes, I think that would make a good selection of races, however 16 races are way too few, waiting 2 weeks between races is horrible, let alone 3, so having 24 races (or why not, more) inevitably reduces the average wait time.
Sam
13th February 2025, 13:20
100%.
raddie (@raddie)
12th February 2025, 8:46
Monza up to sixth? No way!
Raid
12th February 2025, 9:22
I personally think that Spa needs to be lower down this list. It’s a great track, obviously, but in recent years the DRS zone down the Kemmel straight has made overtaking just too easy, and it’s robbed the races there of a lot of their drama as drivers often just wait through the rest of the lap. I feel like I’d put it as low as 5th or 6th these days, which feels grossly unfair for the quality of the circuit.
Something I’ve found interesting over the last few years has been how playing the official F1 game has coloured my appreciation of certain tracks. I have some lower-enthusiast-level sim racing gear and play in VR, and there are some tracks that I just didn’t appreciate until driving them myself. Zandvoort is an incredible track to drive, so is the Red Bull Ring – they both feel like you’re on a rollercoaster with a handful of corners which you just have to sling the car into at high speed. Those two produce decent racing in real life, but there are other tracks such as Jeddah that in reality are awful, that feel amazing to nail a lap on. Monaco, a track and event I despise in the real championship (the only track I’d put it above is Abu Dhabi as it simply does not support modern racing), is every bit the challenge that the real drivers say, though with that it’s only really the qualifying run I enjoy.
Jungle
12th February 2025, 9:34
RIP Hockenheim
ozzmosis
12th February 2025, 9:53
I’d swap the positions of Monaco and Baku.
In my fantasy F1 calendar I’d be replacing (or rotating) some of the duller tracks with Istanbul, Algarve, Nurburgring, Sepang, Magny Cours and Fuji.
Jungle
12th February 2025, 10:03
I share part of your fantasy. Sepang, Istanbul…love Suzuka but perhaps rotate with Fuji? How would these hybrid cars perform on Fuji?
Jere (@jerejj)
12th February 2025, 11:41
Jungle Hybrid F1 cars on Fuji Speedway wouldn’t perform any differently to any other circuit, no better or worse, so I don’t quite get what you imply.
Jungle
13th February 2025, 4:03
Size i was referring to
Shimks (@shimks)
12th February 2025, 10:45
It would be interesting to add a poll to this article to see which tracks are people’s favourites.
Spa and Interlagos for me. I think Spa is the better track but I always get the most excited about Interlagos; maybe because it’s towards the end of the season.
James
12th February 2025, 11:09
The first corner of Interlagos is the best overtaking spot in the calendar, period. They can overtake on both sides and it’s often an impressive move, but not too easy and with a chance for a comeback along the next straight. It’s great to watch the skill of slipstreaming as they approach that corner and you wonder whether they are close enough to attempt a move.
Spa is wonderfully scenic, and also completes my top 2 with Interlagos. If I could make up a 5-race calendar I would include those two plus Montreal and Monza, with Monaco as the third race. I know a lot of people don’t like Monaco because it’s somewhat processional, but in terms of the overall stylishness of racing there, they are philistines, right? Haha.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
12th February 2025, 19:15
I have a lot of time for this comment. Pretty much agree with it.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
12th February 2025, 10:46
Can’t disagree too much with this list, although personally Interlagos will always be No.1. I also think COTA is a bit high and Montreal a bit low, but otherwise I’m broadly in agreement.
David BR (@david-br)
12th February 2025, 11:13
Personal favourites (mixture of venue, racing and how much I like racing them virtually)
1. Spa
2. Interlagos
3. Silverstone
4. Suzuka
5. COTA (great call from KC)
6. Monza
7. Albert Park
8. Gilles Villeneuve
After that, I’d bunch Imola, Singapore, Zandvoort, Monaco, Hungaroring, the Red Bull test circuit, Jeddah and Baku as sometimes or even often good but flawed.
The rest, whatever, all filler status for me. Little or no interests in the circuit, all a question of whatever title battles are going on. I agree Shanghai is potentially interesting but I start dozing on that overlong straight.
Davethechicken
12th February 2025, 12:41
For me Spa isn’t number one anymore. Eau Rouge is a mere kink in the road for today’s F1. It is not the historical challenge it once was.
The racing isn’t always great, with drs train last year and 2021’s farce. Rain is often present and todays F1 cars don’t do rain now either.
Also as a fan who attends races, it is awkward to get to, you only see a small section of track for most fans, and at 44 laps you don’t get as much of a look at the cars as other races with more laps.
David BR (@david-br)
12th February 2025, 14:38
The apparent inability to race in wet weather is an issue, definitely. Skill on wet tracks seems to be a less determinant factor in general over a season. It’s partly why I rank Interlagos so how, though, as it often tends to have rain at some point in the weekend and the track is already excellent, it adds to the uncertainty. As I don’t go to races, I don’t have an opinion on your last point.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:51
I really liked how qualifying was delayed to the day after cause of rain and then the day after it still rained! The weather\track itself saying no to f1’s attempt to have a dry race!
El Pollo Loco
13th February 2025, 0:43
Spa has been partly neutered.
1. Interlagos
2. Silverstone
3. Montreal
4. Sepang
5. Spa
for me in terms of the action produced
Leksa (@leksa)
12th February 2025, 11:41
Rankings like these may be misleading if too much weight is given to how much racing (i.e. overtaking) takes place at the circuit. I think it’s too simple to judge track’s awesomeness by its ability to produce good racing in modern F1 cars. Like Keith says, the problem is bulky F1 cars. Same track that produces brilliant racing for F4, F3, BTCC or Minis can be dreadfully boring for F1. Oulton Park would be horrible for F1. But does that mean the track’s horrible? No. Moreover, if the amount of overtaking is defining factor for a great circuit, it automatically favors those tracks where DRS is effective. But if DRS was dropped, we would see the true nature of F1.
Secondly I think you can appreciate a circuit outside the racing situation. A truly wonderful circuit makes you tingle just by watching free practice or old onboard hot laps from YouTube. For example, a 20 year old Suzuka onboards still makes your nerves itch and gets you excited, but a 20 years old Bahrain onboards work like sleeping pills. So besides “Atmosphere”, “Layout” and “Racing” categories I would add “Excitement level” or “Nervousness level”. Suzuka obviously gets full 5 for that and Bahrain 1. Obviously, if Nordscheleife was part of F1 calendar, it would go off the charts in the Nervousness level.
So, basically I agree about everything, except I would swap COTA and Red Bull Ring. If COTA had grass and gravel run-off areas, it would be so much better. Not it’s just a parking lot with forgiving track limits.
Otherwise I’m with Keith. Spa should be number 1, no question about it. And Suzuka in top 2, after all, every year we hear in the interviews how Suzuka is the favorite track of majority of the drivers, and for a reason.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
12th February 2025, 11:47
Ive been to Spa 3 x and the atmos has inevitably suffered with wet weather that could deflate a duck. Silverstone is the king, never known an atmosphere like it in 2021, about 9x there but alot of the others, Monza, Hungaroring, RedBull Ring, the fun is before and after the racing and the Ring won that race. Atmosphere for telly viewers outside of the idiotic Mexican grandstand section is not that important bar seeing full stands and the odd roar, now more noticeable above the dull drone of the cars.
cobra43874
12th February 2025, 11:49
Otherwise I’m with Keith. Spa should be number 1, no question about it. And Suzuka in top 2, after all, every year we hear in the interviews how Suzuka is the favorite track of majority of the drivers, and for a reason.
S Arkazam
12th February 2025, 12:21
So I guess if there were an Indy 500 (or more likely Indy 187) on the F1 calendar then we would have another top 10 circuit on our hands.
atmosphere: 5
layout: a generous 1
racing: 5 (especially with perpetual DRS)
montreal95 (@montreal95)
12th February 2025, 12:46
The atmosphere criterion is irrelevant . Mexico track is much much worse than 15th. I’m sure any other venue that would’ve been chosen for the Mexican grand prix the atmosphere would be amazing because of the wonderful passion of the Mexican fans. However the track itself is unquestionably horrible not even a shadow of its glorious past version.
On the other hand Bahrain and China are underrated they’re decently challenging ans produce good racing. Much better than Catalunya certainly.
Also I’m a big fan of Spa but it’s not number 1 anymore. Not with the modern F1 cars, the challenge is much reduced unless it’s wet. The racing is also hit and miss unfortunately. For me the best track currently as a combination of all the factors is Interlagos.
My list would be :
24)Mexico city
23) Qatar
22) Abu dhabi
21) Miami
20) Barcelona
19) Jeddah
18) Baku
17) Singapore
16) Bahrain
15) Las Vegas
14) Imola
13) Albert Park
12) Shanghai
11) Hungaroring
10) Monaco
9) Zandvoort
8) Austria
7) Montreal
6) Austin
5) Monza
4) Suzuka
3) Spa
2) Silverstone
1) Interlagos
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
12th February 2025, 13:10
Its only irrelevant if you are only an arm chair fan. The races in 2020 were pale shadows and although it impacts f1 less say than football, fans at tracks are the lifeblood for or the tracks themselves, without them, they would close. AMazing how far we have got from what is important despite 2020s ghost sport
Leksa (@leksa)
12th February 2025, 14:41
I’d say Mugello is fantastic circuit, fans or no fans. Again, how we rank circuits always depends on the context. Is it a nice circuit to drive in a video game? Is it affordable or too expensive to attend? Is it good for MotoGP? Is it a sportwashing place built on a fake island or a historic place that uses public roads?
But yeah, Australian GP will feel like proper season opener this year because of the atmosphere, which Bahrain completely lacks.
montreal95 (@montreal95)
12th February 2025, 15:56
Please read what I wrote again. I didn’t say it wasn’t important I said it wasn’t relevant in terms of this rating because it’s not the track that creates an atmosphere. Put the Mexican GP in another place and the atmosphere will still be awesome. Put the Abu Dhabi GP on an exact replica of Spa including the elevation changes and the atmosphere will still be awful. It’s a separate thing. So to put Mexico above so many circuits that are better than it just because of the atmosphere is wrong.
Steve Rogers (@beeflin)
12th February 2025, 14:25
For what it’s worth I like Shanghai and Baku, but absolutely agree about most of the bottom half. It’s awful that money can buy races at such terrible tracks.
And I’m overjoyed I don’t have to watch a GP at Paul Ricard again – that dull, featureless car park is the only track that used to make me consider missing a GP show.
I miss Magny-Cours and Istanbul.
F1 frog (@f1frog)
12th February 2025, 15:14
1. Monaco
2. Spa-Francorchamps
3. Zandvoort
4. Suzuka
5. Silverstone
6. Interlagos
7. Imola
8. Red Bull Ring
9. Monza
10. Albert Park
11. Hungaroring
12. Montreal
13. Catalunya
14. Jeddah
15. Singapore
16. COTA
17. Baku
18. Shanghai
19. Sakhir
20. Losail
21. Las Vegas
22. Miami
23. Mexico City
24. Yas Marina
Monaco is the most undroppable track. I love it for the uniqueness of the race, the excitement of a qualifying lap there, and the connection to history. No track would be sadder to lose from the calendar, even if it is more suited to F1 cars of the past. The next group is pretty self-explanatory, but I like Zandvoort more than most because it is just good to watch the cars go round there, looks difficult to drive and has a great flow. Imola is similar. I rate Hungary and Spain higher than most do because I like the grass run-offs for example, and I like that you can defend there. Austin is very low down in my opinion because of track limits, otherwise it would be a brilliant track. The ones at the bottom are obvious.
David BR (@david-br)
12th February 2025, 16:27
I agree about Monaco being different and qualifying is fun, but the cars are now ridiculously too large and heavy for racing on the circuit.
Broderick Harper (@banbrorace)
12th February 2025, 22:12
Monaco is the most droppable circuit.
Who cares about history when there is frankly zero excitement.
If that circuit was suggested now it would get laughed out at the first round.
tielemst
12th February 2025, 22:41
It might be undroppable but it’s easily the worst racetrack of the lot. Simply because it’s not a racetrack at all. Keith’s criticism of Baku goes double for Monaco. A procession through one of the most decadent places on earth with one after another showing off their yachts. Only thing it has going for it,is that the cars are going slow enough that everybody can get a good look at the casino. I hate everything about it.
SteveR (@stever)
12th February 2025, 15:15
‘local enthusiasm’? Half the seats are covered with tarps as they can’t fill the place…..
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
12th February 2025, 16:49
Any circuit with damp corners and dry straights is fine with me.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
12th February 2025, 18:19
It’s a good point. Some wet races would improve Yas Marina, Miami and Losail’s reputations…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
12th February 2025, 23:04
Well said!
Peter707
12th February 2025, 16:55
Way too much nostalgia here.
https://www.racefans.net/rate-the-race/top-100-f1-races/
Eight of the top 100 races since 2008 were held in Sakhir, while the circuit is ranked only 21st of 24. There is not a single mention of Suzuka, ranked 2nd.
I don’t care about traditions or scenery nearby. I want to see racing.
Stephen Taylor
12th February 2025, 17:54
There is no way Silverstone should be rated 3 for atmosphere. The last two years have been absolutely electric . You must have been at a different venue last year Keith but I suppose if you are in the secluded media areas of the paddock you can’t always really capture the atmosphere that well. I’ve been to British Grand Prix many times and honestly the last two seasons I think are the best atmosphere i’ve been a part of.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:42
Well, 3rd is still a very good rating, and there’s not a score, so there’s no saying it’s not very close to spa and suzuka, but some track had to be put ahead.
Wer
12th February 2025, 18:18
I’m surprisingly not in any major disagreements with that list!! Very well put together.
The only big disagreement I have with it is Baku. It is not only the BEST street track in F1, but also one of the best and most beautiful tracks on the calendar.
I’d put it at least at 12th before A1-Ring.
black (@black)
12th February 2025, 18:35
A few notes that other people have probably noted:
1) Bahrain is done dirty, one of the best Tilkedromes of the last 20 years, that produces great battles into turn 1 and turn 4, is definitely better layout than Miami or Abu Dhabi. They had a blank canvas in the desert and they produced a pretty decent circuit. Same goes with China, not the greatest but definitely better layout than Miami or Abu Dhabi.
2) Hungary, even though the layout is nothing impressive, it was rated 2 for racing… a circuit that (for whatever reason) manages to throw often good-to-great races. 4 races in the top50 of rate-the-race… and 2 of them being in the top6!!! And it gets a worse rating for racing than Suzuka, which has 0 races in the top100 of rate-the-race!!!
3) Canada and Austria have a simple yet effective (and brilliant I’d say) layout, definately deserve to be ranked with 4 for layout. As for racing, Canada has 4 races in the top50 and 2 of them are in the top8.. I’d say it’s one of the 4-5 circuits that promise us great racing every season.
4) Brazil – to my eyes the most flowing circuit of them all – belongs to the 5 category for layout, I can’t find a single flaw. As for racing, it’s ranked with 4… the circuit that has the highest rated race since this site began, 5 (the most!) races in the top50 and 9 (again the most!) in the top100!!!
This site has collected data since 2008 (i.e. 16 races in Interlagos) 9 of them, 56% MORE THAN HALF, were in the top100 of ALL RACES SINCE 2008… and it gets 4 for racing???
5) Silverstone atmosphere 3? One of the most historic circuits that has sold out crowds and you could hear the roars of excitement… what more do Mexico, Las Vegas have and they get, not even the same, but higher grade?
6) Belgium, while I absolutely love the circuit and it deserves a 5 for the layout, the racing there is average at best in the last 15 years. Only 1 race in the top50 in rate-the-race (place #41 … Hungary alone has 4 above that race and it’s still ranked with 2) and definitely has not produced any memorable races lately to deserve more than a 3.., let alone a 5.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:43
If f1 doesn’t race in the wet any more, that’s self-explanatory: there’s absolutely no way spa 2021 wouldn’t have been among the top races if they had let them run.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:44
Interlagos is indeed great, looks like they manage to hold proper wet races too, or more so than at other tracks: our last race in full wet conditions was brazil 2016.
albo94
13th February 2025, 8:03
Absolutely spot-on!
SPA over-hyped, although I must admit that in the pre-DRS era it was one of the very few tracks that guaranteed watchable races.
Losail, over-hated. Yes, it’s in the middle of nowhere, but racing has been mega in the Hybrid era. Remember 2014? 2018? 2019? 2021? 2022?
Dane
12th February 2025, 18:56
I disagree with a lot of these. Is Baku that hated? It has produced a lot of exciting races and is quite unique among the other races on the calendar.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:45
True, a lot of chaos races there, which were highly rated.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
12th February 2025, 19:27
I actually think Interlagos is my favourite. Love it and it always produces a good race. Spa is OK but it’s too easy to pass there now and Eau Rouge is not really a challenge with the modern cars. It’s near the top but not the top. Other favourites are Silverstone, Monza and Montreal. COTA is good for a modern circuit. Again I think Suzaka is a bit overrated here. It’s good but not great.
I hate Losail. It’s truly awful and not at all suited to F1 cars/racing. Yaz Marina is also poor as is Jeddah, Miami. Not a big fan of Mexico either. I think Bahrain is a bit underrated here. It’s clearly better to me than any of the other middle eastern venues. I also think Hungaroring is a bit hard done by.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
12th February 2025, 20:01
Here we go then:
1. Interlagos
2. Silverstone
3. Monza
4. Suzaka
5. Spa
6. Montreal
7. Austria
8. Imola
9. Zandvoort
10. Monaco
11. COTA
12. Albert Park
13. Baku
14. Hungaroring
15. Las Vegas
16. Bahrain
17. Catalunya
18. Mexico
19. Singapore
20. China
21. Saudi/Jeddah
22. Miami
23. Yas Marina
..
..
240. Losail
MichaelN
12th February 2025, 19:30
The general ranking seems pretty good.
Few points I’d quibble with:
– Bahrain is usually quite good for racing and seems a bit short changed.
– The 4/5 atmosphere score for Vegas seems wildly off, especially when Jeddah gets a 1/5 and I doubt many non-super-invested fans could tell the difference between the two tracks.
– The 3/5 atmosphere score for Silverstone seems to be marked down to avoid putting Silverstone #1. But that seems misplaced; it’s a great place for an F1 race, and even if the fans can be a bit partial (no less so than Zandvoort and Monza!) it’s still a huge celebration of everything cool about F1. A 4/5/5 score would be totally fine.
– I just don’t get COTA. Every time I see people rave about it I just feel like I’m missing something. The 4/4/5 score seems like a completely different event than I’ve seen over the last decade. But hey! To each his own.
Broderick Harper (@banbrorace)
12th February 2025, 21:48
With you on COTA.
It’s great. That is for the first half only. The second half, has to be the worst around – marginally saved by by Turns 17, 18 and 19. Otherwise, it would be firmly in my bottom five.
Riccard
12th February 2025, 21:03
Article suggestion: at the end of the year, please graph “predicted race quality” against “actual race rating”.
Of course there will be surprises, due to rain, driver circumstance… but those surprises will be really interesting, and worth discussing.
bull mello (@bullmello)
12th February 2025, 21:35
Very interesting list.
Spa, Interlagos, Silverstone, Monza, Monaco, COTA, some of my favorites.
Jeddah, Miami and LV should go.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
12th February 2025, 21:38
That seems like a pretty solid ranking, though personally I think both Vegas and COTA are ranked higher than they deserve, and I’d still put Suzuka over Spa even if it hasn’t produced a wheel to wheel fight for the win in a while.
Broderick Harper (@banbrorace)
12th February 2025, 21:43
When I first started reading the list, I thought this was some kind of satire.
The boring Imola and Monaco ahead of the exciting and at last genuinely new fast Las Vegas circuit??
It’s significant that apart from Vegas – all the ones Keith ranks the lowest are the newest!! I don’t get the greif about Qatar. So what if they can’t get the tyres right? That last section with fast left to right turns are up there with the best.
No-one can dispute the Top 3. But are you seriously telling is that Interlagos that is only fawned over because it’s in Brazi?l A circuit where no rain = boring race and a circuit which is good for the first half and then makes Yas Marina looks the most exciting circuit we have.
I’d even argue that if Monza was a new circuit, Keith would be moaning that it’s too fast with no character.
I get it Keith, we’re probably the same age and there’s nothing good in anything new and everything great has to be at least fifty years old, but this is a very unimaginative critique, which tells us everything about what you like culturally as opposed to the actual races.
And if I dare to suggest it, your low rated circuits contain a lot of that are in the Middle East and locally near. Is it if they are not from lovely countries with ‘perfect’ human rights attitudes – then they have to be marked down? You’ve made it clear, that for some bizarre reason, the culture of the place is a factor in the quality of the racing – so it’s a fair question.
My list;-
1. Spa
2. Silverstone
3. Suzuka
4. Las Vegas
5. Baku
6. Losail
7. Yas Marina
8. Saudi/Jeddah
9. Miami
10. Montreal
11. Monza
12. Singapore
13. Hungaroring
14. Mexico
15. China
16. Austria
17. Bahrain
18. Zandvoort
19. COTA
20. Interlagos
21. Albert Park
22.Imola
23.Catalunya
5000. Monaco
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
13th February 2025, 0:17
This has to be the most bizarre listing on here! All of our choices as individuals say something about us. Not just Keith’s.
Win7Golf (@win7golf)
12th February 2025, 22:38
I would lose:
– Miami;
– Barcelona;
– Zandvoort;
Bring back:
– Portugal / Portimao
– Germany / Hockenheim
– Istanbul Park / Turkey
Broderick Harper (@banbrorace)
12th February 2025, 23:04
Yes. The old Hockenheim though!!
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:47
Indeed, old one was better, monza alone is too little as the temple of speed, old hockenheim was really special.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
12th February 2025, 23:46
Agree with 5 of your 6 picks, but drop something else than zandvoort, we have a lot of races in the middle east to drop, like saudi!
AlexS
13th February 2025, 6:13
Silverstone in 3rd? a Tilke before the Tilke.
9th and lucky at most.
Sam
13th February 2025, 13:40
I actually like driving Losail and, despite being from the UK, I have never been a huge fan of Silverstone. Otherwise, broadly agree.
Here is my fantasy calendar. 1) Surfer’s Paradise, 2) Sepang, 3) Instanbul Park, 4) Losail, 5) Kyalami, 6) Hungaroring, 7) Zandvoort, 8) Spa, 9) European GP [rotate various circuits], 10) Mugello, 11) Portimao, 12) CTMP, 13) Road America, 14) An USA oval such as Charlotte, 15/16) Suzuka/Interlagos but rotate between which one is 15th and which one is 16th.
stefano (@alfa145)
17th February 2025, 2:20
Weird article. Keith seems to have forgotten about the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Which was not even a title decider.
The racing in Monza gets a 3 out of 5? Maybe in the 1960s. Give the atmosphere category a 8 out of 5 if you must, but that racing score is nonsense
Bob
18th February 2025, 11:40
Quite shocking that when seeing them all listed, it becomes clear just how far Liberty has already gone in prioritising revenue over sportiness.