Best and worst F1 circuits (current)

[HeXoSKEL3t0n]

Best:
-Spa
(great fast flow to the track, always had great memories from racing this track in GT5 online)
-Suzuka
(fast flow, technical too, great to race with others, and to hotlap too)
-Monaco
(slow and tricky, but an absolute blast to nail in GT5, especially with high speed Tabac and the approach from there to the swimming pool section, even though the track is too tight for big races with 20 over cars IMO)
-Silverstone
(Nice flowing rhythm, gives great satisfaction in nailing a proper fast lap)
-Istanbul
(Great flow, gives a nice buzz when you nail a lap, especially with high speed corners like turn 8 in the F1 games)
-Hockenheim
(love the slightly cambered stadium section, great to nail, good atmosphere too)

Worst:
-Fuji
(hate the last uphill mickey mouse sector, horribly tedious to navigate)
-Singapore
(produces great races, due to plenty of space at high braking points for cars to be in position to overtake, and also has great atmosphere, but horribly boring to drive, gives little satisfaction in nailing a lap, with it mostly consisting of 90degree corners)
-Catalunya
(thanks to horribly monotonous last chicane)
-Abu Dhabi
(mostly consisting of slow, uninspiring corners, boring to drive, even though it looks really pretty)
-Nurburgring GP
(first few corners feels slow and tedious)

 

[Akmuq]

Best:

Spa
Montreal
Shanghai

Worst:

Hungary
Catalunya
Catalunya again

 

[Youngun]

Best:
Spa
Silverstone
Monaco

Worst (dont really think these are bad bad tho):
Bahrain
Cataluyna
Budapest

 

[gorsad]

Best:
Spa
Suzuka
Montreal

Worst:
Yas Marina
Korea
India

 

[Bigbazz]

Best : Spa, Suzuka
Worst ? Erm.. I really dislike Fuji, but it is no longer current, never much liked Bahrain or China.

 

[TDZdave]

I'm with you.



It's not always his fault that his tracks are characteristically safe and boring. He has to design his tracks within some strict rules. Plus, Sepang is great.

I agree, Sepang can be a Great driver's circuit, but they always muck up everything when the rain comes, I love it when they throw some weather in, it becomes a driver with the largest vegetables circuit when it rain,

I like Adelaide, but there's nothing wrong with Albert Park.

Albert Park is no where near as spectacular as Adelaide was, they try to emulate it every year and nothing, I went to the last 3 GP in Adelaide and every single 1 in Melbourne, only because its F1,


Same could be said about Spa, Monza or the Nordschleife.

Yes but these tracks are steeped in history and every year has had close heated battles with numerous overtakes without KERS or DRS,



£££. Albert Park is low on cash but I don't think Adelaide is that rich to be honest.

Albert park is a cash loss to Victoria and always has been, Adelaide is based on motoring, its like NASCAR to Michigan, F1 always ran profit here, the Clipsal 500 clears 240,000+ people in a Sunday crowd, over the entire weekend the have 450,000+ people every year since it started, We have the knowledge, and we have the infrastructure to do a night race, may not be to the standard of Singapore but it would be a great show,


As much as I would love to see it, the track is too bumpy given the low ride height of F1 cars.

Bathurst is now and has been since 2007 repaved every 3 years, for 2 race weekends, The Bathurst 1000 and the 12 hour, its the elevation that makes it look bumpy, but Silverstone has more and worse bumps in it by miles.



The A1 Ring? You mean that Tilke track? Seems you're at odds with your previous statement.

I wasn't aware that circuit was designed by the Tilke group, Im sure there have been some great circuits designed by him but none of which are really in the F1 calendar,

No it didn't. 1999 was an exception and that was down to the weather.

that chicane before the 3rd sector was insane to watch F1 cars work through there,



This is a meaningless statement. Let's go back to the banking at Monza because von Trips died there. Or Zandvoort, remember Roger Williamson?

Zandvoort, Zolder, Indianapolis, Surfers paradise, Donnington Park, Kylami, San marino the list of preferred F1 circiuts is long,

The only reason they stopped using the oval section was it became to expensive to maintain, and its probably ruined beyond repair now, but that would be great to see,

 

[Wiegert]

Best:
- Spa (always been my favourite on the F1 calendar, most enjoyable circuit in GT5)
- Montreal
- Suzuka

Worst
- Valencia
- Catalunya (Spain has 2 of the most boring tracks on the calendar? What are the chances?)
- Abu Dhabi

JAPAN GP, Fuji, or T1 circuit aida, anything better then suzuka,

I'm indifferent when it comes to Fuji, and although I've always liked TI Aida, it wouldn't make for a great F1 venue. Far too small.

BestOver-rated
- Spa
- Monza
- Monaco

Obviously different opinions on Spa. Not fussed about Monza but I don't hate it, but I do believe that Monaco is overrated. It may have a colourful history, but it usually host processions rather than races these days.

Under-rated
- Korea
- Hockenheim
- Shanghai

I'm kind of divided on Korea (Yeah yeah...), because I like the first sector and the final turn, but the middle sector just doesn't flow well.

Never really cared about Hockenheim though, but Shanghai can host some good races. Probably my favourite Tilkedrome on the current F1 calendar, almost on par with Istanbul.

 

[Jimlaad43]

F1 needs to go back to:
Mexico City
Fuji
Brands Hatch
Indianapolis
Zandvoort

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

Favorite :

Suzuka

Worst :

Ummm tough one, probably Valencia, no wait, it's actually Bahrain I hate that track. Racing is not that cool and I totaly hate driving on it.

 

[Tyger]

Funny how most Brits seem to include Silverstone as one of their faves, i've always found it very meh (and really disliked it in the original Forza but like it more in Forza 4). Always preferred Brands Hatch, would be nice to see the two tracks mixed up a little over the years.

 

[Ardius]

Brands Hatch

Always preferred Brands Hatch, would be nice to see the two tracks mixed up a little over the years.

But Brands simply isn't safe enough and its pretty boring for the top-performance race series. Ever watch modern Champ Cars, DTM or A1GP around it?

Brands only really provides good racing for touring cars and lower formulae. It is fantastic to drive though (especially the GP layout).

Donington is better than Silverstone and more realistic for F1, though even there it wouldn't necessarily provide the best racing these days for F1 as its quite narrow.

Why are people talking about ex or non-F1 circuits in a thread asking about current F1 circuits?

 

[MUSC4EVER]

BEST..
Spa
Monza
Suzuka

WORST..
Korea
Yas Marina
Hungary

 

[otakukid96]

Best:
Monaco
Valencia
Monza

Worst:
Korea
India
Barcelona

 

[Wiegert]

Funny how most Brits seem to include Silverstone as one of their faves, i've always found it very meh (and really disliked it in the original Forza but like it more in Forza 4).

While I do like Silverstone, it's nothing special in my opinion. I much prefer the new Arena layout as well, plus I wished they'd included it in Forza 4 instead of the old layout, which I never really liked all that much.

 

[fps_christian]

I think Montreal and Spa produce great racing which equals great entertainment and as a fan, this is the most important factor for me.
I really like Monaco. This is IMO, the best track to watch qualifying. Watching on-board cameras on the cars when they are pushing for pole is nail biting. However, I don't think the track produces good racing because of the nature of the circuit.

I dislike Sakhir and Yas Marina. These tracks just don't do anything for me. I don't know if it is the Tilke thing about the tracks, but I do like Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai. There is always some good racing around these tracks.

However, I think any track can be considered "best", it just depends on weather conditions.

 

[zippy_the_cat]

I actually think Le Mans is a really tough track to hammer the laptime out of. I seem to do pretty well in races there but I always find it a track that really demands a lot technically, especially from the setup of the car.

I find Suzuka very easy to get the laptime from. Even with cars that don't really handle so well I find it easy to find the absolute limit.

I see what you're saying. One is technical, the other is not. I'd summarize the difference thusly:

Every corner at Le Mans asks whether you'll run out of courage before you run out of talent. Every corner at Suzuka exists to very precisely define how little talent you actually have.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Obviously different opinions on Spa. Not fussed about Monza but I don't hate it, but I do believe that Monaco is overrated. It may have a colourful history, but it usually host processions rather than races these days.

Don't get me wrong; I think Spa is a great circuit. A legendary one, even. But I can't recall the last time I saw a truly exciting Grand Prix there, and I've seen more than my share of boring ones.

I'm kind of divided on Korea (Yeah yeah...), because I like the first sector and the final turn, but the middle sector just doesn't flow well.

The reason why I put Korea as under-rated is because I think it's actually kind of brilliant in its own way. Each of the three sectors is taken to an extreme in terms of what it demands of the car and driver. The first sector is all long straights and heavy braking. The second is fast and flowing, and a real driver's section. The third is tricky and technical, with cambered corners and a zig-zagging pattern that demands a perfect setup. It's like Tilke tried to make a circuit where the teams could only be good in any two of the three sectors, and would naturally play to their cars' strengths. I missed qualifying this year, but we saw this to great effect in 2011 when cars were setting very similar lap times, but wildly different sector times.

Never really cared about Hockenheim though,

I never really liked the old Hockenheim. It was just a series of long straights linked by chicanes. People thought it was an epic, but the races were decided before they had even begun based on whoever had the most powerful engine. At least the current version of Hockenheim is a little more interesting. It kept all the best corners from the old version, and the new turns 2, 3 and 4 are also fairly decent.

but Shanghai can host some good races. Probably my favourite Tilkedrome on the current F1 calendar, almost on par with Istanbul.

Yeah, I put Shanghai as under-rated because it can produce some very good races. The last three in particular have been great.

I would have put Istanbul on my list of the best circuits, too, but it's not hosting a race anymore.

 

[Jimlaad43]

I should have clarified Brands.
I have seen high powered cars racing there and it is dull. I do however think an official F1 test session once in a while would be good.

 

[Tired Tyres]

I saw a sports car race at Brands back in the day. Group C. Mercedes verses Jaguar etc. It was anything but dull. You couldn't run F1 their now.

The trouble with F1 is F1 itself, not the tracks it runs on. That's always been the case. Cars outgrow tracks, not the other way round. That means tracks have to be changed to suit the cars and it's never for the better.

I only like the older tracks in F1 now. The new ones are soulless because of the design and because of the run off tarmac. It makes them look like car parks with a track drawn on them.

 

[TDZdave]

Don't get me wrong; I think Spa is a great circuit. A legendary one, even. But I can't recall the last time I saw a truly exciting Grand Prix there, and I've seen more than my share of boring ones.
Spa always usually has good races, But I also agree with this statement, the last great F1 race there was 2008, basically every race between 2005-2008 was fantastic, a drying track in 05 and kimi posting absolute blinder's lap after lap, I remember Martin Brundle's reaction to it, James Allen was mumbling nonsense as per usual then goes, oooh, kimi has 2 green sectors, WOW!!! fastest lap by 4 seconds!!!! then reeled off another lap, faster again, and Martin's said, "I don't understand why he need's to go that fast" and " I wouldn't do that, there's plenty of field between him and second place, whiich is Alonso in the Renault" J.A, AND MONTOYA HAS JUST BEATEN IT!' ALONSO'S OUT! ALONSO'S OUT!

then 2006, Alonso VS Raikkonen, another epic battle,
followed by 2007, Alonso, Hamilton, Heidfeld, Kubica, Massa, Raikkonen battle for the last 4 laps when the rain came, 4 cars fighting for track position, and Kubica and Heidfeld pit for intermediate tires and blast around the lap 30 seconds faster with the pitstop, nearly catching the front runners until Kimi spun and put it in the wall bring out the yellow flag for the last sector of the race, also that race Adrian Sutil made 17 overtakes in some unusual spots in the Spyker,
2008, Fisichella VS Raikkonen, Fisi had the measure of the Ferrari without KERS, I honestly expected him to get the better of Kimi eventually,

The reason why I put Korea as under-rated is because I think it's actually kind of brilliant in its own way. Each of the three sectors is taken to an extreme in terms of what it demands of the car and driver. The first sector is all long straights and heavy braking. The second is fast and flowing, and a real driver's section. The third is tricky and technical, with cambered corners and a zig-zagging pattern that demands a perfect setup. It's like Tilke tried to make a circuit where the teams could only be good in any two of the three sectors, and would naturally play to their cars' strengths. I missed qualifying this year, but we saw this to great effect in 2011 when cars were setting very similar lap times, but wildly different sector times.

I'm still uncertain on Korea, the track its self just seems boring, the first 2 laps this year were great but once the field cleans its self it becomes boring, plus the officials fumble around like a granny,

I never really liked the old Hockenheim. It was just a series of long straights linked by chicanes. People thought it was an epic, but the races were decided before they had even begun based on whoever had the most powerful engine. At least the current version of Hockenheim is a little more interesting. It kept all the best corners from the old version, and the new turns 2, 3 and 4 are also fairly decent.

Hmmm, I cant get into that track either, I preferred old nurburg, not the nordsheife the castrol S, I get annoyed at this mercedes motordrome,

Yeah, I put Shanghai as under-rated because it can produce some very good races. The last three in particular have been great.

same as Korea, I find it quite unsafe, those metal grates fly up all the time, and the track is not well maintained, that's why we petitioned to stop taking the V8 supercars there,

I would have put Istanbul on my list of the best circuits, too, but it's not hosting a race anymore.

Istanbul, I don't hate it, but I don't love it either, Turn 8 is fantastic though, but I'm glad to see the back of what is another Tilkedrome,

I'm unsure on this circuit of the america's too, I loved Indy road, and would like to see F1 back at Road America or Laguna Seca,

 

[Liquid]

I loved Indy road, and would like to see F1 back at Road America or Laguna Seca,

I quite liked Indianapolis too, but they've never been to RA or 'Seca.

Bring back the V10s.

 

[TDZdave]

I quite liked Indianapolis too, but they've never been to RA or 'Seca.

Bring back the V10s.

agreed! 100% agreed!!! V10s had the best noise ever made by a high revving car, bring back the year 2000 rules, no stupid side wing aero, I said year's ago between 2001 and 2007 if I was the chief steward I would walk around pitlane with a hatchet and chop off all the additional aero bits on side pods, shark fins etc, the 2000 championship was possibly the last pure F1 world championship year, if they threw out driving aids back then,

I don't believe they did run road america, but they did run Laguna Seca in the 70s, I don't know if it was a world championship round or a dummy event or a pan am series but they were F1 cars,

actually for something different I would like to see F1 on an oval track, Charlotte, Michigan, Loudon or enen Pocano,

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I quite liked Indianapolis too

Indy was horrible. Especially that double-hairpin.

 

[LancerEvo7]

I quite liked Indianapolis too, but they've never been to RA or 'Seca.

Although it was non-championship, the Pacific Grand Prix was at Laguna Seca between 1960 and '63.

 

[TDZdave]

Indy was horrible. Especially that double-hairpin.

the idea behind the double hairpin was to make the cars bunch up before thundering down the straight, it was all based on mechanical grip, but it was in the wrong spot, it should have been the second to last corner on the straight,

 

[TDZdave]

Although it was non-championship, the Pacific Grand Prix was at Laguna Seca between 1960 and '63.

I should have known it was earlier then the 70s, Jack Brabham won one of them, thanks lancer,

 

[Liquid]

Although it was non-championship, the Pacific Grand Prix was at Laguna Seca between 1960 and '63.

Thank you very much for that brilliant bit of trivium!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

the idea behind the double hairpin was to make the cars bunch up before thundering down the straight, it was all based on mechanical grip,

At a time when the focus was on aerodynamic grip.

 

[TDZdave]

At a time when the focus was on aerodynamic grip.

well yes, as that video show's, Alesi nailed the exit of that chicane and easily passed them by the end of the straight, but that also was a time when Jordan F1 was the 4th best team in F1,

 

[Roger the Horse]

Best:

1. Montreal
2. Spa
3. Melbourne

Worst:

1. Bahrain
2. Catalunya
3. Suzuka