48 replies to this topic

[markelov74]

So heading into the new season I hope to see a few more added to this list, but I would like to hear what you guys think are the best F1 races of the 21st century

For me

1. 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix - Crazy race. Fisichella storming through for victory, a huge demolition derby of crashes, surprises all round.
2. 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix - JB's first win, Alonso and Schumi driving masterclasses from back of the grid until they hit problems and some good battles.
3. 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix - Dramatic season finale. Vettel recovering from last, Hamilton vs Hulkenberg, the race had it all.
4. 2005 Japanese Grand Prix - Kim drives his heart off to win from P17 passing several guys on he way including Fisichella on the final lap and that Alonso vs Schumi battle.
5. 2015 United States America Grand Prix - Red Bull vs Mercedes scrapping like hell, Vettel from back to almost victory, pure chaos aswell as Hamilton winning title.
6. 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix - Awesome four way battle for the lead through wet and dry conditions.
7. 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix - One of the best battles for the victory between two great teammates and loads of good passes.
8. 2007 European Grand Prix - Two words - Marcus Winklehock. Not forgetting Alonso vs Massa either.
9. 2003 United States of America Grand Prix - Crucial for MSC's title, Montoya losing control, several cars could win and Frentzen's drive.
10. 2014 Canadian Grand Prix - A really tense race, six cars with a chance of winning. And of course that ending was super dramatic too with the final lap crash.

Edited by markelov74, 20 May 2017 - 09:17.

[f1paul]

2005 USA     

[sennafan24]

Hungary 2006 deserves a mention. It had a bit of everything.

 

- Alonso put in one heck of a shift before a loose wheel-nut denied him of victory.

 

- Jenson scored his first race win from 14th on the grid.

 

- Kubica's debut.

 

- Plenty of action elsewhere (Schumacher, Kimi, etc)

[Marklar]

1. Germany 2011: For some reasons I totally love this race, maybe because I was there. I dont know. But the battle for the lead was unbelieveable.
2. Hungary 2006: Alonso's first lap, the leaders messing up, Button winning
3. San Marino 2005: Probably one of the best defensive races ever.
4. Brazil 2012: Massa and Vettel with incredible comebacks, Hulkenberg drama, championship drama
5. Hungary 2014: Ricciardo's overtakes, Alonsos almost win in a shitbox, Hamiltons comeback, Vergnes rain drive and Mercedes controversities
6. Bahrain 2014: By far the best battle for the lead in recent times
7. Belgium 2008: The last few laps were epic. Lets forget the post race shenanigans
8. China 2011: First race with proper Deg in the Pirelli era. Lots of overtakes, a great comeback of Webber and a lead change in the last laps
9. Japan 2005: Kimi's comeback drive
10. Brazil 2008: Last lap

[P123]

Keeping it to 10 is quite a task, so I've gone with the first ones could recall.....  All involving tense race long fights for victory, or a driver or drivers storming through the field.  Brazil needs it's own top 10.

 

1. 2005 Japan

2. 2011 Canada

3. 2005 San Marino

4. 2003 Britain

5. 2007 USA

6. 2006 Hungary

7. 2011 Germany

8. 2014 Bahrain

9. 2003 Monaco

10. 2012 Brazil/ 2008 Brazil/ 2009 Brazil/ 2003 Brazil/ 2001 Brazil/ 2004 Brazil/ 2016 Brazil ... all of them, I can't decide one over the other as they were all cracking races.

Edited by P123, 14 February 2017 - 19:44.

[Dabash]

2014 Japanese GP deserves a mention as well. watching it back it was a perfect hunting down of an adversary with calculated precision and an overtake that has so far been underrated.

 

A lot happened across the field as well,

 

Ricciardo march through the field

JB putting in a decent performance

 

Sadly I think the Jules Bianchi accident is what most people remember about this race but I think it was a really good and entertaining race.

 

 

German GP 2014 also deserves a mention

 

Also how can we forget Valencia 2012

[Anderis]

I can only talk about races from mid 2006 onwards:

1. China 2011- this one was absolute legend. 5 drivers having a realistic chance of winning the race on merit with 15-20 laps to go.

2. China 2012- the amount of proper wheel-to-wheel fights (not just easy DRS passes) was ridiculous. The section from T10 to T16 worked brilliantly.. 

3. Canada 2011- wet races are usually entertaining, but this was an incredible comeback from Button.

4. Brazil 2012- championship dramma, weather tension, Hulk lapping quicker than anyone else in a Force India for big part of the race.

5. Canada 2007- this was absolutely crazy race with crazy outcome, even if much of it was due to the constant SCs and not pure racing.

6. Hungary 2006- kinda special race for me since I'm a Pole, but it was full of great action regardless.

7. China 2010- there was so much chaos in the opening laps which resulted in a lot of action shortly afterwards.

8. Nurburgring 2007- all of those weather changes, overtake for the lead in the late stages of the race and Wurz almost catching Webber for 3rd on the last lap.

9. Valencia 2012- so many turning points and plenty of overtakes.

10. Australia 2010- chaos in the opening laps and plenty of fighting among the drivers in top cars.

Possibly I missed something good, but those are the races I remembered for being very entertaining all-throughout, not just for a few memorable moments. For some reason I don't seem to remember recent years well.

Edited by Anderis, 14 February 2017 - 20:19.

[Nonesuch]

Brazil 2006 featured a showcase performance by Michael Schumacher in what was thought to be - and perhaps should have been - his final race.

USA 2003 showed just what makes weather affected races so unpredictable and enjoyable. Good fun!

England 2008 was perhaps the last great wet race. Even though Hamilton led almost the entire race, it was a classic performance.

Japan 2005 was an obvious highlight of Räikkönen's career. Wonderful finish to an impressive charge through the field!

Turkey 2010 was a great battle between Red Bull and McLaren, with dramatic twists, threat of rain, and just good fun all around.

Monaco 2005 was a surprisingly interesting race for what is usually the worst race of the year. Perhaps that contrast makes it stand out.

France 2004 was a typical illustration of what made the Ferrari team so annoying to many. Four stops to the win - great stuff!

Belgium 2002 was not nail-biter in any sense, but the sheer dominance of Schumacher this race was stunning - even shocking. I don't think I've seen anything like it since.

PRChina 2006 was probably the most amusing race of that year, with another classic charge by Schumacher to beat both the Renaults. It was his last win.

England 2007 was a compelling strategic battle, very nicely executed by Räikkonen.

[DaddyCool]

Spa and Brazil 2008 was the last time F1 had me on the edge of my seat and I'm not even a Hamilton fan.

 

I was literally jumping around and yelling in front of the TV.

[realracer200]

I am surprised nobody mentioned Japan 2008. Alonso winning against the odds and a fantastic Kubica-Raikkonen battle... IMO it was better than any Suzuka race apart from 2005....

[Ruusperi]

I'm sure the list would be different after giving some deep thought to the matter, but my quick choices would be.

 

1. Brazil 2012 - Absolutely thrilling season finale in tricky conditions and Vettel & Alonso appearing to secure the championship and then losing it again

2. Brazil 2003 - Lottery race in rain. As far as I know, it's the most watched F1 race in Finnish TV history (1,7m = 33% of the population).

3. Hungary 2006 - Very entertaining race with a surprise win

4. Canada 2007 - Dramatic race and 4 SC periods

5. Britain 2008 - Rain makes great drama

6. Bahrain 2014 - Excellent fighting throughout the race

7. European 2007 - Rain chaos and Massa vs. Alonso

8. Germany 2001 - Dramatic start crash and then Coulthard and Montoya losing the lead for Ralf

9. San Marino 2005 - Schumi vs. Alonso

10. Australia 2003 - I don't remember this well, but I thought it was enjoyable

 

Canada 2011 isn't on my list, because the red flag periods were annoyingly long. Brazil 2008 and Belgium 2008 wasn't that interesting until the last laps.

[SonnyViceR]

Hockenheim 2000

Interlagos 2003

Hungaroring 2006

Nurburgring 2007

Albert Park 2008

Silverstone 2008

Edited by SonnyViceR, 14 February 2017 - 22:47.

[George Costanza]

2000 Suzuka. Nothing else compares.

[Ruusperi]

2000 Suzuka. Nothing else compares.

Year 2000 is part of the 20th century, just to be precise. French GP 2000 was pretty good as well.

[rjsports]

Malaysia 2001 (Jos the Boss and he knows it)

Austria 2001

Brasil 2003

Japan 2005

Hungary 2006

China 2006

Germany/European GP 2007

Japan 2007

Monza 2007

Australia 2010

Abu Dhabi 2010

Canada 2011

[Jackmancer]

Germany 2000! 

[SpeedRacer`]

Not seen Silverstone 2003 mentioned  - an incredible race with the most amount of overtaking I've ever seen in a dry GP. A priest on the road helped mix the order but something else seemed to happen that day!

[tngy]

1. Brazil 2008

2. Belgium 2008

3. Brazil 2012

4. Canada 2011

5. Brazil 2003

6. Japan 2005

7. Hungary 2006

8. Brazil 2016

9. Hungary 2015

10. Germany 2000

 

Honourable mentions: Malaysia 2001, Brazil 2001, Germany 2001, Britain 2003, Belgium 2004, San Marino 2005, Australia 2006, Europe 2007, Japan 2007, Monaco 2008, Australia 2008, Britain 2008, Australia 2010, Abu Dhabi 2010, Valencia 2012, Bahrain 2014, Canada 2014, Hungary 2014, USA 2015, Spain 2016 

Edited by tngy, 15 February 2017 - 09:07.

[PayasYouRace]

Germany 2011 stays with me as the stand out race. A three way battle between drivers of three different teams for the lead and didn't need any controversy to make it exciting.

[stenovitz]

2005 USA     

 

           

 

For me, the best race of my life was my TV-debut of F1 racing: the Monaco 1982.

 

For the past 15 years...hmm difficult, but I'll try

 

1. Interlagos 2012

2. Interlagos 2008

3. Suzuka 2005

4. Shanghai 2011

5. Montreal 2011

6. Suzuka 2005

7. Montreal 2007

8. Shanghai 2012

9. Nürburgring 2007

10. San Marino 2005

[Nathan]

Interesting how some people want to axe the Chinese and Bahrainian GPs, yet at least one ends up on most of these lists.

[messy]

Germany 2000 and Brazil 2003 come to mind. The sheer emotion of Rubens winning at Hockenheim. In hindsight, it probably shouldn't have been such a shock. It's not as if he was driving a Minardi. But winning after so many races, coming up from 18th on the starting grid, slipstreaming past so many drivers on the way then that late downpour, it had everything. I even remember being entranced by a battle between the two Jaguars and an Arrows for gods sake. Great race.

Brazil 2003 is one that I remember being absolutely thrilling, then I rewatched it in its entirety a while ago and actually, a lot of the time behind the safety car it was an absolute non-event. But that river across the track catching out half the field, some heart-stopping accidents and that whole confusion over who won, it was at least memorable.

But for me probably the purest race I've seen was Japan 2000. Two gladiators in battle. I'll never forget qualifying. Hakkinen and Schumacher were visibly more 'on it' than anyone else. The direction change into turn one. Wow.

[dean111181]

Brazil 2007, absolutely bonkers race, you still have to wonder how manufactured it was knowing what we know now but it was immense to watch at the time

[Kristian]

Brazil 2007, absolutely bonkers race, you still have to wonder how manufactured it was knowing what we know now but it was immense to watch at the time

 

After reading Max's biography, I'm almost certain that Hamilton's problem that race was intentional. 

[Marklar]

After reading Max's biography, I'm almost certain that Hamilton's problem that race was intentional.

That's pretty much the only conspiracy theory I fully believe

[Baddoer]

Korea 2013

First and last time we saw Jeep in the lead of F1 race

[Kristian]

Korea 2013

First and last time we saw Jeep in the lead of F1 race

 

And one of my favourite ever F1 memes 

 

[sennafan24]

After reading Max's biography, I'm almost certain that Hamilton's problem that race was intentional. 

 

That's pretty much the only conspiracy theory I fully believe

I'm not aware of what Max said in his book. Perhaps his comments would change my mind. 

 

However, if it was rigged, then it was a mighty cover-up. De Le Rosa was present when the issue occurred. In the days after the race, he confirmed that it was a car failure, rather than a driver error, and was privy to all the conversations on team radio. He didn't indicate that anything was suspect. Looking back to China 2007, the theory that McLaren left Lewis out on purpose only goes so far. It was a strategic error for sure, but they would have to rely on Lewis binning it for the process to be complete. That is unless Lewis was in on it as well - and beached it on purpose, which I think is unlikely. 

Edited by sennafan24, 16 February 2017 - 12:51.

[Kristian]

I'm not aware of what Max said in his book. Perhaps that would change my mind. 

 

However, if it was rigged, then it was a mighty cover-up. De Le Rosa was present when the issue occurred. In the days after the race, he confirmed that it was a car failure, rather than a driver error, and was privy to all the conversations on team radio. He didn't indicate that anything was suspect. Looking back to China 2007, the theory that McLaren left Lewis out on purpose only goes so far. It was a strategic error for sure, but they would have to rely on Lewis binning it for the process to be complete. That is unless Lewis was in on it as well - and beached it on purpose, which I think is unlikely. 

 

Basically Max was saying that he wanted McLaren to be thrown out the championship and the $100m fine was quite light - however, the public would be deprived of a Championship battle and the onus was on the FIA not to impede this. He then said that luckily Hamilton had the problems, and the right driver won the title (I'm just paraphrasing from memory, but that's the gist I remember - if anybody has direct quotes please feel free to correct me). 

 

Given that this was the first year of the standard ECU, I'm sure it would be easy for some clever electronics to create the problem and still have most of the team unaware. 

Edited by Kristian, 16 February 2017 - 11:40.

[BlackCat]

Monaco 2004 - the one and only race i remember of Schumacher's "career"...

[cheekybru]

That's pretty much the only conspiracy theory I fully believe

Whattttt!? Is there any thread or anything I can read about this?

On topic, all my faves have been mentioned, Barhain 14 is my fave for a 1v1 battle, Germany 11 was awesome

[P123]

I'm not aware of what Max said in his book. Perhaps his comments would change my mind. 
 
However, if it was rigged, then it was a mighty cover-up. De Le Rosa was present when the issue occurred. In the days after the race, he confirmed that it was a car failure, rather than a driver error, and was privy to all the conversations on team radio. He didn't indicate that anything was suspect. Looking back to China 2007, the theory that McLaren left Lewis out on purpose only goes so far. It was a strategic error for sure, but they would have to rely on Lewis binning it for the process to be complete. That is unless Lewis was in on it as well - and beached it on purpose, which I think is unlikely.

They were allowing Alonso to catch him by fairly large chunks of time, so were effectively hanging him out to dry. All lost in the fog of outrage at Ron D's defensive "we were racing Alonso" explanation for blowing the lead and race. If they really were racing him, they were going about it in a strange way.

[PlatenGlass]

Looking back to China 2007, the theory that McLaren left Lewis out on purpose only goes so far. It was a strategic error for sure, but they would have to rely on Lewis binning it for the process to be complete. That is unless Lewis was in on it as well - and beached it on purpose, which I think is unlikely.

It also required the wet/dry conditions and a tyre dilemma for this plan to be able to happen. If it was in any way planned, they got *very* lucky with the circumstances.

[Atreiu]

Last ten seasons:

- 2007, Indy, Nurburgring, Fuji;

- 2008, Istanbul, Monaco, Montreal, Silverstone, Interlagos;

- 2009, Shanghai, Nurburgring, Interlagos;

- 2010, Melbourne, Istanbul, Montreal, Spa, Monza;

- 2011, Shanghai, Montreal, Nurburgring, Hungaroring;

- 2012, Montreal, Spa, Abu Dhabi, Interlagos;

- 2013, Nurburgring;

- 2014, Bahrain, Hungaroring;

- 2015, Austin;

- 2016, Interlagos.

[Vielleicht]

2005 San Marino GP certainly sticks out in my mind and obviously many other people's too. I often use it as my arguemnt against DRS. That race would have been nowhere near as exciting, Schumacher would probably have just breezed past.

[PlatenGlass]

In chronological order, and not counting 2000 as the 21st century and I'm not limiting myself to any particular number:

2003 Brazilian GP
2003 British GP
2004 Belgian GP
2004 Italian GP
2005 Japanese GP
2006 Hungarian GP
2006 Chinese GP
2007 Canadian GP
2007 European (Nurburgring) GP
2007 Chinese GP
2008 Monaco GP
2008 Canadian GP
2008 Belgian GP (well, it was good for a bit at the end when it rained, and then the stewards ruined it)
2008 Italian GP
2008 Brazilian GP
2009 Australian GP
2009 Belgian GP
2009 Brazilian GP
2010 Turkish GP
2010 Canadian GP (surprisingly I don't think anyone's mentioned it)
2011 Canadian GP
2012 Canadian GP (Actually a very good race but overlooked because of so many other Canadian GPs)
2012 Brazilian GP
2014 Bahrain GP
2014 Canadian GP
2014 Hungarian GP
2015 US GP
2016 Monaco GP

I've probably missed some good ones and some probably wouldn't be as good as I remembered if I watched them back.

Edited by PlatenGlass, 26 February 2017 - 08:15.

[P0inters]

Singapore 2010 is an underrated one .

[Vesuvius]

2005 San Marino GP certainly sticks out in my mind and obviously many other people's too. I often use it as my arguemnt against DRS. That race would have been nowhere near as exciting, Schumacher would probably have just breezed past.

2005 imola was nothing special, 2006 imola was a repeat of that, only difference was 1-2 switched.

Edited by Vesuvius, 25 February 2017 - 17:52.

[chunder27]

Nothing in f1 in my top 10 or 20

 

that is all that needs to be said.  perhaps the one Button one in Canada. Thats about it, the rest would be bike races, motocross, supercross or stock car racing.

Spread your wings guys, spread your wings

[Ragingjamaican]

In chronological order, and not counting 2000 as the 21st century and I'm not limiting myself to any particular number:

2003 Brazilian GP
2003 British GP
2004 Belgian GP
2004 Italian GP
2005 Japanese GP
2006 Hungarian GP
2006 Chinese GP
2007 Canadian GP
2007 European (Nurburgring) GP
2008 Monaco GP
2008 Canadian GP
2008 Belgian GP (well, it was good for a bit at the end when it rained, and then the stewards ruined it)
2008 Italian GP
2008 Chinese GP
2008 Brazilian GP
2009 Australian GP
2009 Belgian GP
2009 Brazilian GP
2010 Turkish GP
2010 Canadian GP (surprisingly I don't think anyone's mentioned it)
2011 Canadian GP
2012 Canadian GP (Actually a very good race but overlooked because of so many other Canadian GPs)
2012 Brazilian GP
2014 Bahrain GP
2014 Canadian GP
2014 Hungarian GP
2015 US GP
2016 Monaco GP

I've probably missed some good ones and some probably wouldn't be as good as I remembered if I watched them back.

 

2008 Chinese Grand Prix certainly raised an eyebrow. What makes you put that on the list?

 

2010 Chinese Grand Prix I feel was very underrated.

[PlatenGlass]

2008 Chinese Grand Prix certainly raised an eyebrow. What makes you put that on the list?

I seem to remember it being quite an exciting race, despite the outcome!

Edit - sorry, meant 2007.

Edited by PlatenGlass, 26 February 2017 - 08:14.

[Tarzaan]

2001 Sepang

2006 Shanghai

2006 Magny Cours

2003 Indianapolis

2003 A1 Ring

[crisiswhat5risis]

Silverstone 1987

 

If you need to think about it it's not memorable

[Collombin]

Not entirely sure 1987 was in the 21st century.

[mattcanary]

 

1. Germany 2011: For some reasons I totally love this race, maybe because I was there. I dont know. But the battle for the lead was unbelieveable.
2. Hungary 2006: Alonso's first lap, the leaders messing up, Button winning
3. San Marino 2005: Probably one of the best defensive races ever.
4. Brazil 2012: Massa and Vettel with incredible comebacks, Hulkenberg drama, championship drama
5. Hungary 2014: Ricciardo's overtakes, Alonsos almost win in a shitbox, Hamiltons comeback, Vergnes rain drive and Mercedes controversities
6. Bahrain 2014: By far the best battle for the lead in recent times
7. Belgium 2008: The last few laps were epic. Lets forget the post race shenanigans
8. China 2011: First race with proper Deg in the Pirelli era. Lots of overtakes, a great comeback of Webber and a lead change in the last laps
9. Japan 2005: Kimi's comeback drive
10. Brazil 2008: Last lap

 

San Marino 2005 - not ITV's finest hour!

[messy]

2005 imola was nothing special, 2006 imola was a repeat of that, only difference was 1-2 switched.

Was that the one where ITV missed the last lap by having to go for an ad break?

I forgot Suzuka 2005, that was a good one. Virtually all the fast guys coming from the back, Alonso vs Schumacher at 130R (Alonso - "its moments like that I remember he has kids"), Kimi tearing through the field, pure racing brought about by your classic 'put the fast guys behind the slower ones' scenario, Fisichella proving for once and for all that he just wasn't on the same level as those guys, unable to cling on, I remember really wanting him to hang on too, but Kimi's was a win for pure racing brilliance, Fisichella was mediocre. Great race.

[P0inters]

Nothing in f1 in my top 10 or 20
 
that is all that needs to be said.  perhaps the one Button one in Canada. Thats about it, the rest would be bike races, motocross, supercross or stock car racing.

Spread your wings guys, spread your wings

No F1 races in your list of favourite F1 races of the 21st century ?

[Muppetmad]

I am surprised nobody mentioned Japan 2008. Alonso winning against the odds and a fantastic Kubica-Raikkonen battle... IMO it was better than any Suzuka race apart from 2005....

A good shout; the Kubica/Raikkonen battle was a textbook example of exciting racing married with great racing etiquette. It was top driving from both.

[Ragingjamaican]

I seem to remember it being quite an exciting race, despite the outcome!

Edit - sorry, meant 2007.

 

I thought that bud, makes more sense