If money was not so important, which 5 tracks should be on the F1 calendar? Pit Debrief gives their opinion on iconic venues that would be perfect for the schedule.
1 | Fuji Speedway
Although it has held only four F1 Grands Prix over its many decades of existence, the circuit near Mount Fuji has delivered plenty of action.
James Hunt beat Niki Lauda to the title in atrocious conditions in 1976. 31 years later, Lewis Hamilton won a breathtaking race in equally bad, if not worse conditions. Heikki Kovalainen finished 2nd, with Kimi Räikkönen bravely coming through from the back when the race got going to finish P3.
2008 saw a dry race and it all kicked off. Hamilton ran Räikkönen wide at the start at turn 1, opening the door for Alonso and Kubica to fight for victory. The Renault driver won out.
Massa had spun Hamilton a couple of laps later at turn 11 as both got drive-through penalties for their respective mistakes.
Making a comeback through the field, the Brazilian had contact with Bourdais as the French driver exited the pits into turn 1. In a surprise to almost everyone, the Toro Rosso driver was handed a 25-second penalty for spinning the Ferrari.
As well as the beautiful scenery, Fuji Speedway is a proper test for a racing car and the drivers. It features high speed (sector 1), medium speed (sector 2) and slow speed (sector 3). Overtaking is also possible with a massively long start-finish straight, with turn 10 also a strong possibility to complete one.
2 | Hockenheim
Whether it was the old or ‘new’ Hockenheim, this event always promised action.
Since 2002 on the shorter version, there has been plenty of cracking racing. The long straight and then hairpin down at turn 6 led to plenty of overtaking, and even action down to turn 8 as the defending or attacking car could get a switchback on exit, as shown between Alonso and Button in 2004; Räikkönen and di Resta in 2012 etc.
The stadium section of Sector 3 also gives drivers an opportunity to make the difference in qualifying with low and medium speed corners, like Michael Schumacher in 2004.
It was a close call between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring, but it is safe to say Formula 1 has the choice of two great German tracks if they return to the country in the future.
3 | Sepang
On the F1 calendar for 18 years, it was one of a very few tracks that was universally popular amongst drivers, teams and fans that got built in the late 1990s or 2000s.
The Malaysian GP was the scene of many huge moments in F1 history.
- Michael Schumacher returns from injury and takes pole by almost a second in qualifying (1999)
- Kimi Räikkönen claims his first Grand Prix victory; Fernando Alonso bags his first podium and pole position (2003)
- Jenson Button secures maiden podium (2004)
- Toyota’s first F1 rostrum appearance (2005)
- Alonso’s first win at McLaren (2007)
- First podium for Mercedes after their F1 comeback (2010)
- Sergio Pérez’s first F1 podium (2012)
- Multi 21 involving Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber (2013)
- Sebastian Vettel’s first win with Ferrari (2015)
- Lewis Hamilton ultimately loses the title with costly engine failure while leading (2016)
Alongside so many memorable moments, the track itself provides lots of overtaking opportunities and switchbacks. We witnessed many great battles over the years, like Massa and Hamilton in 2007. Vettel and Webber in 2013 was another.
With plenty of high and medium speed corners, it was truly a fantastic and enjoyable challenge for the drivers and teams.
4 | Istanbul Park
Much like Sepang, Istanbul Park in Turkey quickly became a favourite for everyone involved in F1 or those watching the sport. While there is suggestions it could return in the near future, for now it is not on the schedule.
From its first appearance in 2005, the high speed turn 8 left-hander with four apexes was the ultimate test for drivers and their necks. The anticlockwise circuit was a massive challenge overall and hugely rewarding when a lap was fully hooked up.
Overtaking was always possible as well, albeit not at the level of Sepang.
It was a new circuit in this century that served up many legendary F1 moments.
- Felipe Massa’s first F1 win (2006)
- Vettel crashes into teammate Webber as they fight for the lead; Button and Hamilton have an intense battle (2010)
- Lewis Hamilton wins and takes his seventh World Championship; a first pole for Lance Stroll (2020)
- Valtteri Bottas’ last win and a thrilling fight between Sergio Pérez and Lewis Hamilton (2021)
5 | Imola
Having dropped off the calendar once more, Imola proved from 2020-2025 how good it can be yet again.
While overtaking is difficult at the Italian venue, the challenge it posed to the teams and drivers was immense. High kerbs, grass and gravel throughout the lap tested the drivers and their machines. Mistakes quite often got punished. Precision was key.
There was plenty of drama and breathtaking moments in its latest spell on the F1 calendar.
- Verstappen’s dramatic tyre failure (2020)
- Verstappen vs Hamilton; the seven-time World Champion ending up in the gravel at Tosa; Russell having a huge accident with Bottas and causing a red flag (2021)
- Leclerc crashing and losing P3 (2022)
- Verstappen’s outrageous move on Piastri at Variante Tamburello at the start of the Grand Prix to take the lead (2025)
