138 replies to this topic

[Graveltrappen]

Obviously a lot of bias with this weekend being the British GP, but they repeatedly keep lauding it to be the greatest track on the calendar. I'm not sure it is after all the changes made to it...

Which tracks would you genuinely miss? I think Suzuka is for me the greatest track and can't wait to see this years cars there.

Edited by Graveltrappen, 15 July 2017 - 15:24.

[William Hunt]

Spa, Saõ Paula , Suzuka and Spielberg (old Zeltweg was better though) are the best tracks in that order.

I also like Montréal and Baku a lot

Edited by William Hunt, 14 July 2017 - 17:03.

[redreni]

Suzuka, Monza, Spa.

 

20 years ago I'd have rated Spa above the other two, but then they tarmaced it.

Edited by redreni, 14 July 2017 - 19:26.

[Graveltrappen]

Spa is a great track, although as a spectator because it's such a long lap you only see the cars 44 times as opposed to if you went to Austria and they came by 70 times.

However, I went to Spa a couple years back, and to drive there (from Scotland), pay for a hotel, ferry and the tickets itself... was cheaper than going to silverstone which is a few hundred miles away.

[Vielleicht]

Red Bull Ring. Except for the name. Hate the name. In fact the name might even drop it from my top spot. 

[Shepherd]

Suzuka for me
Honorable mentions to Interlagos, who hosted some of the best wet races

[superden]

Spa or Suzuka.

[CSF]

Red Bull Ring. Except for the name. Hate the name. In fact the name might even drop it from my top spot. 

 

 

It's quite a fun little track now, quite amusing to consider it was hated in 97! 

[Atreiu]

1. Spa
2. Suzuka
3. Silverstone
4. SInterlagos 😃

[redreni]

Spa is a great track, although as a spectator because it's such a long lap you only see the cars 44 times as opposed to if you went to Austria and they came by 70 times.

However, I went to Spa a couple years back, and to drive there (from Scotland), pay for a hotel, ferry and the tickets itself... was cheaper than going to silverstone which is a few hundred miles away.

 

Depending where you stand at Spa, you see the cars for longer per lap than most tracks. From the banking on the Kemmel straight you can see the exit of Blanchimont and the braking for the bus stop chicane. Plus for me it's quality, not quantity, when it comes to laps.

 

Never been to Suzuka so I may be over-rating it, but judging from photos, I don't think so. I'd love to go.

[V8 Fireworks]

Monza is the best. 

[Ruusperi]

Suzuka without doubt. Last remaining track that is challenging and punishing - very old school layout.

 

Spa has great layout but nearly all the corners are nowadays neutered with tarmac taking the challenge away.

Monza is great for having high-speed profile and being different from every other track.

Monaco has the most special atmosphere, but not the best place for fast racing.

[ensign14]

It says a lot that the tracks named here most are Suzuka, Spa, Monza.  All old, traditional, tracks - and none of which have had Tilke get his cretinous mitts on their layouts.

 

Not much love for Shanghai, Bahrain, Malaysia...

[Seanspeed]

These 'best track' threads/polls should always have the qualifier 'other than Spa' as that's usually the consensus pick. 

[KWSN - DSM]

Spa, Suzuka, Monaco.

 

 

[Graveltrappen]

For some time in recent years we were without Spa weren't we?

[Nonesuch]

Obviously a lot of bias with this weekend being the British GP, but they repeatedly keep lauding it to be the greatest track on the calendar.

 

Who is they? In Dutch and German publications Silverstone is often praised for its history and its engaged fans, but in terms of tracks it's not usually seen as a highlight of sorts.

 

Suzuka is a fantastic track - for qualifying. Races there have been fairly dull, and the track seems very narrow.

 

Spa-Francorchamps is an all-round fantastic track. The few times F1 has skipped Spa it was dearly missed.

[Nonesuch]

For some time in recent years we were without Spa weren't we?

 

Yes, in 2003 and 2006. Although that's over a decade ago. Not sure how broad recent is.

Edited by Nonesuch, 14 July 2017 - 14:01.

[Graveltrappen]

Who is they? In Dutch and German publications Silverstone is often praised for its history and its engaged fans, but in terms of tracks it's not usually seen as a highlight of sorts.

Suzuka is a fantastic track - for qualifying. Races there have been fairly dull, and the track seems very narrow.

Spa-Francorchamps is an all-round fantastic track. The few times F1 has skipped Spa it was dearly missed.

In the UK, both of the broadcasters (Sky + CH4). However they are staffed with brits and a lot of the folk they interview from the paddock are brits so tow the National line. Hence I was checking to see how the track is truely regarded in the wider world of F1, as I'm not sure it would be massively missed (except for being the national race)

[drionita]

Spa is the best, imho. Then, seconds ex-aequo: Suzuka and Interlagos. Third: Austin. But Baku keep growing in fascinating me, for the brutal straight and the castle section.

[Graveltrappen]

Baku is interesting as it's a modern track, and it seems that 'favourites' need to be old tracks usually... I remember Baku being ridiculed by many, whereas now it's seen as a modern great. To me Baku is how Monaco should be. And now we have Baku I'd happily see Monaco binned off. We shouldn't be too sentimental over old tracks... it should be GOOD tracks that we seek to retain.

[MJB5990]

Sochi followed by Abu Dhabi.

[MikeV1987]

Suzuka for me, Silverstone is up there too though.

[Hellenic tifosi]

Spa and Suzuka are my favorites. Both should be 5-6 laps longer though, they are very fast.

[BuddyHolly]

1: Monza

2: Canada

3: Spa

4: Interlagos

5: Suzuka

[noriaki]

It says a lot that the tracks named here most are Suzuka, Spa, Monza.  All old, traditional, tracks - and none of which have had Tilke get his cretinous mitts on their layouts.

 

Not much love for Shanghai, Bahrain, Malaysia...

 

Spa and Monza both have. He modernized the chicanes...which I doubt nobody calls their favourite corners on those tracks. 

 

In fairness to him though, his job hasn't been that easy compared to the track designers of the past. You could give a monkey a pen and make him draw a track, and if you put the said track into the amazing landscape of Spa or Suzuka chances are you'd have an great track. 

 

On the other hand, Shanghai is a swamp and Bahrain is a desert. Not to mention the likes of Yeongam or Buddh. A bit more of an operation to make a track work there...

[Claudiu]

1) Spa

2) Suzuka

3) Interlagos

[markelov74]

1) Spa
2) Sepang
3) Suzuka

[P123]

Suzuka, Montreal, Hockenheim

[Tiakumosan]

Spa, Monza, Spielberg, Interlagos, Montreal and Suzuka, in no preference order. 

 

Liked Silverstone more before the new 'stadium' sector.

[William Hunt]

 

 

 

 

Not much love for Shanghai, Bahrain, Malaysia...

 

Sepang is actually a pretty good track, don't feel much love for Shanghai, Abu Dhabi (feels very artificial) and Bahrein (at least the desert sand surrounding it makes it unique, it's not that bad) but Malaysia I will surely miss

[GoldenColt]

Suzuka all the way. Not necessarily a great circuit for racing, but the layout is breathtaking.

[seltaeb]

Spa is a great track, although as a spectator because it's such a long lap you only see the cars 44 times as opposed to if you went to Austria and they came by 70 times.

However, I went to Spa a couple years back, and to drive there (from Scotland), pay for a hotel, ferry and the tickets itself... was cheaper than going to silverstone which is a few hundred miles away.

 

That cost differential is unbelievable. 

 

 

I think Spa is probably the best overall track. Also think that Interlagos provides great racing.

[ArrowsLivery]

Suzuka, Monza, and Interlagos are my favorites. 

 

Silverstone would've been close if it was the old layout. 

[William Hunt]

I actually prefer Brands Hatch above Silverstone because it has elevation and lovely hills

Silverstone does have some nice fast sweeping corners but it's flat since it's on a place where there used to be an airfield

[Ricardo F1]

1. Spa
2. Suzuka
3. Silverstone
4. SInterlagos

I'd second that.  Did anyone who nominated the Red Bull Ring watch last weeks race?

[Collombin]

I actually prefer Brands Hatch above Silverstone because it has elevation and lovely hills
Silverstone does have some nice fast sweeping corners but it's flat since it's on a place where there used to be an airfield

Drivers used to love Brands Hatch, and it's clearly a far superior circuit to Silverstone, but sadly will never again be a relevant answer to the question asked.

I guess I would choose Spa of the current crop. Not a great deal of competition though.

[syolase]

I really miss Istanbul 

[Graveltrappen]

I used to love the track in Argentina. Possibly such a fan due to pounding round it on Geoff crammonds f1 games in the late 90's

[messy]

Suzuka wins hands down I think. It's weird because Spa hasn't really changed that much, but it's lost its lustre for me a little. Suzuka is the ultimate (in F1 terms) test of driving skill and balls. Interlagos, Montreal, Monaco and Albert Park are really good. Monza? It's one of the better ones but a few too many fiddly bits. Silverstone would have been up there, but I think they've pretty much killed it. Copse first corner, please. The new bit is garbage.

Edited by messy, 14 July 2017 - 18:37.

[Graveltrappen]

Suzuka wins hands down I think. It's weird because Spa hasn't really changed that much, but it's lost its lustre for me a little. Suzuka is the ultimate (in F1 terms) test of driving skill and balls. Interlagos, Montreal, Monaco and Albert Park are really good. Monza? It's one of the better ones but a few too many fiddly bits. Silverstone would have been up there, but I think they've pretty much killed it.

I think the moment Eau Rouge can easily be taken flat out, something was lost.

[SR388]

Suzuka

Edited by SR388, 14 July 2017 - 18:39.

[Vettelari]

I like Mexico and Singapore quite a lot for a contrasting viewpoint. I have not been following the sport nearly as long or so closely as everybody in this thread though, I would wager. Didn't start watching every race until 2009. Didn't start watching every practice, qualifying, and race until 2010.

[NixxxoN]

IMO, in no particular order:

 

-Spa

-Silverstone

-Sepang

-Suzuka

-Shanghai

 

So there you have it folks, the best tracks, start with "S"

Edited by NixxxoN, 14 July 2017 - 19:30.

[Disgrace]

I like Mexico and Singapore quite a lot for a contrasting viewpoint. I have not been following the sport nearly as long or so closely as everybody in this thread though, I would wager. Didn't start watching every race until 2009. Didn't start watching every practice, qualifying, and race until 2010.

 

Came here to post something similar. All the classics are great of course, but I have a soft spot for Singapore. It's a modern classic as well as an event in itself. If I won a competition to visit one race of my choice, it would be Singapore. It's even in a great calendar slot - it's about the time the championship battle gets serious.

[garoidb]

The one that got away is Long Beach. As long as the race continues in Indycar form, there is always hope.

[William Hunt]

The one that got away is Long Beach. As long as the race continues in Indycar form, there is always hope.

 

Yes but the current IndyCar track is a bit different from the track F1 raced on in the '70s and early '80s, the original layout was better

[William Hunt]

I think the moment Eau Rouge can easily be taken flat out, something was lost.

 

The name of that corner is NOT Eau Rouge , it's the Raidillon
 

The Raidillon has an average steepness of 17% and the height that drivers have to overcome is 41 meters.

 

Eau Rouge is actually the name of a small river that flows under the track, in the first edition of the track: the pre war version that was used from 1921 until 1938, there was a corner going to the left before that river , then it made a hairpin called the 'Virage de l'Ancienne Douanne' to return behind the river with a left hander to the straight that's still there. The corner left to Ancienne Douanne however never had a name, also not Eau Rouge.

 

You can see the original track here, there was no steep hill section back then:
https://en.wikipedia...yout_(1922).jpg

 

In 1939 the Raidillon, the famous section up the hill was created but many people kept calling that section Eau Rouge because of the river there but it's not the correct! It's the name of the river, the corner never had that name!
 

Another wrong name is that (especially English language speakers) always call the Hunaudière straight the Mulsanne straight, Mulsanne is the hairpin at the end of the long straight but it's official name is Ligne Droite des Hunaudières, there is no such thing as a Mulsanne straight, I think that the English started to call it Mulsanne straight because they can't pronounce Hunaudières well.

I find it quite anoying that people keep on using a wrong name at both Spa & Le Mans.

The Raidillon is not even the most difficult corner to take at Spa, it is the most spectacular for the public, but the most difficult corners are Pouhon (many drivers call this the best corner in the world) and Blanchimont (blind corner at high speed)

Stavelot is quite a nice corner too, there's several epic corners at Spa which is why the circuit receives so much love from drivers & spectators.

Edited by William Hunt, 14 July 2017 - 20:25.

[PedroDiCasttro]

For me it's Spa and Suzuka in no specific order. If we were talking about old layouts as well, then I would throw Interlagos into the mix too. The old layout of Interlagos is something else.

[Graveltrappen]

The name of that corner is NOT Eau Rouge , it's the Raidillon

The Raidillon has an average steepness of 17% and the height that drivers have to overcome is 41 meters.

Eau Rouge is actually the name of a small river that flows under the track, in the first edition of the track: the pre war version that was used from 1921 until 1938, there was a corner going to the left before that river , then it made a hairpin called the 'Virage de l'Ancienne Douanne' to return behind the river with a left hander to the straight that's still there. The corner left to Ancienne Douanne however never had a name, also not Eau Rouge.

You can see the original track here, there was no steep hill section back then:
https://en.wikipedia...yout_(1922).jpg

In 1939 the Raidillon, the famous section up the hill was created but many people kept calling that section Eau Rouge because of the river there but it's not the correct! It's the name of the river, the corner never had that name!

Another wrong name is that (especially English language speakers) always call the Hunaudière straight the Mulsanne straight, Mulsanne is the hairpin at the end of the long straight but it's official name is Ligne Droite des Hunaudières, there is no such thing as a Mulsanne straight, I think that the English started to call it Mulsanne straight because they can't pronounce Hunaudières well.

I find it quite anoying that people keep on using a wrong name at both Spa & Le Mans.

The Raidillon is not even the most difficult corner to take at Spa, it is the most spectacular for the public, but the most difficult corners are Pouhon (many drivers call this the best corner in the world) and Blanchimont (blind corner at high speed)

Stavelot is quite a nice corner too, there's several epic corners at Spa which is why the circuit receives so much love from drivers & spectators.

Apologies for my ignorance, I've only ever heard it referred to as Eau Rouge. Nice bit of history 👍🏻

I sat at Pouhon when I attended Spa a few years back, impressive indeed. A great weekend to attend, I can highly recommend.