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Note - Missed Zandvoort, Netherlands from the list of proposed circuits. Please vote "other" for that, and mention it in a post below if you want to vote for it.


The thread about Interlagos potentially being dropped threw up the usual debate over which circuits should be dropped.

So I figured why not create a poll and vote on the 16-21 tracks you would put on the calendar.

I've included every race track on the current calendar, tracks that were on the calendar since 2006, future tracks, and tracks that have had been been proposed as potential Grand Prix venues multiple times in serious F1 publications.

I've also put an other option (as I've probably missed some tracks) so people can write their suggestions below. Although use this to give serious suggestions (ie tracks that F1 could actually race on, rather than dream circuits; eg, 'Nordschleife' or 'Rainbow Road')

Key:
No symbol = 2019 track
+ symbol = Future F1 circuit
- symbol = Previous F1 circuit (with final year in brackets)
* symbol = Proposed F1 circuit
? symbol = Other - write in your post

You've missed of Zandvoort. I only noticed after I voted but had I remembered it I would have voted "other" for Zandvoort.

mikeyg123 wrote:You've missed of Zandvoort. I only noticed after I voted but had I remembered it I would have voted "other" for Zandvoort.

Ah, yes, of course. I'll highlight it in the OP.

From the current grade 1 tracks, this is about the best I could do.

- Melbourne
- Baku
- Monaco
- Gilles Villeneuve
- Paul Ricard
- Red Bull Ring
- Hungaroring
- Silverstone
- Spa
- Monza
- Suzuka
- Hermanos Rodriguez
- COTA
- Korea
- Nurburgring
- Istanbul
- Shangai
- Sepang
- Bahrain


The proposed Senna track doesn't inspire me & i'm not interested in seeing any more street circuits on the calendar.
I could maybe include Indy & Hockenheim to make up the 21 if needed.

Alienturnedhuman wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:You've missed of Zandvoort. I only noticed after I voted but had I remembered it I would have voted "other" for Zandvoort.

Ah, yes, of course. I'll highlight it in the OP.

Zandvoorts currently not a grade 1 track so technically it couldn't hold a grand prix (neither's Donnington for that matter) but then again some tracks on the list don't even exist so I spose it doesn't really matter does it?

Could probably add Estoril (last race in 1996) & even Mugello?

I read somewhere Malaysia may be back in 2021 in F1.

Jezza13 wrote:

Alienturnedhuman wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:You've missed of Zandvoort. I only noticed after I voted but had I remembered it I would have voted "other" for Zandvoort.

Ah, yes, of course. I'll highlight it in the OP.

Zandvoorts currently not a grade 1 track so technically it couldn't hold a grand prix (neither's Donnington for that matter) but then again some tracks on the list don't even exist so I spose it doesn't really matter does it?

Could probably add Estoril (last race in 1996) & even Mugello?

Yes, both Donington and Zandvoort require safety upgrades before being eligible for the F1 calendar - however both have been seriously touted as potential race candidates in the last 10 years so it makes them eligible for this list.

I am more thinking of tracks that couldn't feasibly be upgraded - such as Nordschleife or Laguna Seca - which fans would probably really want to see F1 tracks race around.

Alienturnedhuman wrote:

Jezza13 wrote:

Alienturnedhuman wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:You've missed of Zandvoort. I only noticed after I voted but had I remembered it I would have voted "other" for Zandvoort.

Ah, yes, of course. I'll highlight it in the OP.

Zandvoorts currently not a grade 1 track so technically it couldn't hold a grand prix (neither's Donnington for that matter) but then again some tracks on the list don't even exist so I spose it doesn't really matter does it?

Could probably add Estoril (last race in 1996) & even Mugello?

Yes, both Donington and Zandvoort require safety upgrades before being eligible for the F1 calendar - however both have been seriously touted as potential race candidates in the last 10 years so it makes them eligible for this list.

I am more thinking of tracks that couldn't feasibly be upgraded - such as Nordschleife or Laguna Seca - which fans would probably really want to see F1 tracks race around.

How cool would it be to see a F1 car negotiate the Corkscrew!

I thought of the Corkscrew as well!!!

Then I remembered that someone died there fairly recently, so maybe they'll keep away from it. I love that track though

Might have been nice to have Adelaide as an option for the Australian GP

UnlikeUday wrote:I read somewhere Malaysia may be back in 2021 in F1.

Yes please!

I voted for the two French circuits, Magny-Cours is one of those tracks I wish I could drive at some day, while Le Castellet is just about the best track in the world to show us that our current overindulgence of downforce and consequent "need" for DRS are a folly.

No street tracks on my list, apart from Monaco. It's not that I'm against street tracks as such, but most cities lack the potential of high speed curves. So even without the current high downforce circus rules, I believe I wouldn't include other street tracks.

Of the options available, I took the 21 I feel would provide the most variety and the best overall championship. Some individual races might be processional but I think I've catered to most car strengths here. So, in the order they appear on the list:

Melbourne
The classic season opener, it's rarely good for showing the true order of the field but that's become part of its charm over the years.

Shanghai
It's finally coming into its own as an exciting track, even if the actual racing isn't always close (I know what I mean, I promise there's a difference in my head!). It's got one of the longest straights too which is something worth bearing in mind.

Baku
Always a dramatic race, and some corners pose such a unique challenge the track just has to be on the calendar in my view.

Monaco
Does it provide good racing? No. Does it let the cars even remotely stretch their legs? No. But it's a driver's track. Perhaps the ultimate driver's track, at least out of the list available here. So it stays, purely for the fact it's only one weekend and year and it makes up for the lack of close racing in so many other ways. That said, I've have no problems if F1 turned around tomorrow and said they'd never return.

Montreal
Rarely provides boring races, and it's a track that combines the close walls of Monaco with the speeds of Monza. Arguably one of the best on the calendar.

Paul Ricard
As someone else said above, it makes a mockery of DRS and I'm all for that.

Red Bull Ring
I've always been in 2 minds about this track, but in the end it's the shortest lap on the calendar, and that means more traffic, so more variables to consider with pit stops etc. Plus it has the bonus that it's often given us good races.

Silverstone
The spiritual home of F1. I preferred the old layout but I can see the advantages of the new one and it often gives us exciting races.

Hockenheim
As with Silverstone, I prefer the old layout, but that's been left to grow over and perhaps that's for the best in terms of safety. And it rarely provided good racing, just mixed up results as engines went bang. Now the hairpin provides a great overtaking opportunity, as does turn 2, and the shortened lap means more strategy variety and more traffic.

Spa
Does it even need an explanation?

Monza
Ferrari. Slipstreaming. That is all.

Singapore
I kept this as the sole night race because it's a unique spectacle. And the stresses on car and driver mean some surprising results have come from it over the years.

Suzuka
One of my favourite tracks, although I always found it a swine to nail a good lap here. It's one of those races where in theory the result is pretty predictable, but rain or a small mistake can throw everything up in the air.

Mexico
I love everything about this track. It has fast bits, it has technical bits, it has the stadium, and it has (half of) one of the best corners ever in F1 history. And the atmosphere is almost unrivaled.

COTA
Probably the best addition to the calendar this century. And it helps that it was designed to include a lot of features of other famous tracks. They really chose well.

Interlagos
I've chosen this for the track, not the surroundings. I totally support F1 leaving Interlagos given the attacks over the years, but I love the track. It's a pleasure to drive, it's provided great racing more often than not, and the history it has is up there with the very best.

Sepang
It's criminal that F1 let this track escape. It came down to money, and frankly F1 should have been more flexible. It's an awesome facility, has great racing, great weather, and I miss it probably more than any other lost track.

Istanbul
OK, this is a close second to Sepang! It's another beautiful circuit, and Turn 8 alone makes it worth having. Turn 12 is great for passing, and there's a good mix of corners otherwise.

Fuji
The long straight, countered with the technical nature of the rest of the track, means that whatever you do to the car, it's a compromise. Ditch DRS, and let the engineers work out what to do. That would be amazing.

Imola
This is probably on the list more for nostalgia than anything, but it's been modified since F1 last raced and deserves another shot. It's more of a technical track than a racing one, but it's still got a lot of challenges to offer.

Zandvoort
Yes, it would take work to get this place up to spec, but the history and layout of the track both make that more than worthwhile.

Tufty wrote: Paul Ricard
As someone else said above, it makes a mockery of DRS and I'm all for that.

This bit made me laugh

After 16 votes, we have a top 21, which is quite interesting as it only involves 4 swaps: Curious who didn't vote for Monza! What's interesting is 1/3rd of the tracks are Tilke circuits. Malaysia and Turkey are dearly missed. Abu Dhabi and Sochi are the only two Tilke tracks people want to drop (Barcelona and Paul Ricard being the others)

The top 5 are all classic F1 circuits, although Shanghai, Austin, Sepang and Istanbul Park are highly regarded modern circuits, rated up their with Interlagos.

Germany gets two races on this vote, although if we restrict each country to one track, then Imola would return to the calendar (tied with Indianapolis, but as Austin is on the calendar it would be ineligible)

I just want a ny race so I can have my home race.

Some awesome tracks I wish: Brands Hatch, Watkins Glen, Long Beach, and the destroyed Kyalami.
Honorable mention to Buenos Aires from 70's.

Other tracks for inclusion would be Laguna Seca, Road America/Elkhart Lake, Brands Hatch, Buenos Aires.

Please, please, please, no more street circuits.

Alienturnedhuman wrote:Zandvoort is now confirmed:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/48254427

I can't add things to the poll as it resets the votes, but as per my edited OP, vote for 'other' and specify Zandvoort in a reply to the thread.

Great comment by Carey "Asked to confirm the deal, F1 boss Chase Carey told BBC Sport: "I don't preview announcements. We'll announce it when we announce it on Tuesday."

I didn't pick the full 21 but the 17 I did pick are. I wont give explanations for all of them, they should be fairly obvious

Melbourne - I like waking up early for this event. No idea why and my partner has never been thrilled but it's just an exciting time for me.

Bahrain
Shanghai (though sometimes I think should a country with such bad pollution host a GP)
Baku - It's fast becoming one of the the better street races.
Montreal
Silverstone
Hungaroring
Spa
Monza
Marina Bay
Suzuka
Mexico
COTA
Brazil
Sepang - it's a shame it's not on the calendar at the moment

Turkey - Loved racing that track on games. Some very hard corners to get right. Would love to see it back.

Valencia - I'm sure I'm alone in this one but I actually preferred this one to Barcelona. (Leave me alone, I'm allowed an opinion!!!! )

Additionally, I would like to see Brno/Czech and Aragon/Spain. Elkhart Lake would be great as well, but would need a lot of modernization.

Melbourne - Traditionally been the season opener for almost 1/4 century now. Has a certain charm to it.

Malaysia - have a double header, save the mechanics a few air miles. Probably my favourite Tilkedrome.

Bahrain - This place is growing on me, makes for a good night(ish) race.

Brazil - We need a new circuit. Too many armed robberies around there.

Mexico - Another double header

Spain - Might as well.

COTA - Another double header with Canada

Canada - Got to be on the calendar.

Turkey - Miss turn 8 in particular

Monaco - Boring race but it’s iconic and not going anywhere.

Austria - I’d like a longer, better version of the Red Bull ring personally.

Silverstone

Hockenheim

Magny Cours - I kind of liked that run down to the hairpin. Geographically, more spread out than PR/Monaco.

Hungaroring

Spa

Monza

Singapore

Abu Dhabi - another double header with Singapore

China - Final double header with Japan

Japan - Great track to end the season. So many iconic titles decided here.


If you’re thinking it’s a lot of double headers, I think it makes a lot more sense this way. Much less fatiguing for the crews and fewer journeys. Malaysia on the way home from Melbourne for eg. Saves everyone a return flight to KL every year. Leaves more space in the middle of the season so that we don’t need back to back European races.