Cool Tracks Formula One Could Return To Race At

Over the past couple of seasons, motorsport calendars all over the world including Formula One have to be in a constant state of flux due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to a pretty unique situation where we may have lost regular tracks like Montreal, and China, but we’ve had the privilege to witness some new circuits grab the spotlight like Mugello, and Portimao. We’ve also seen the return of classics like Istanbul Park, and Imola on the racing calendar. Since the racing calendar continues to remain volatile, here are other cool circuits we'd love for Formula One to return to or debut at.

MotorLand Aragón, Spain

You’d recognise this circuit, as it's one of the many Spanish tracks present on the MotoGP calendar. It’s an interesting layout, filled with long straights, elevation changes and a corkscrew section. It could be a nice alternative to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix, which has fallen out of favour among many in recent years.  

Magny Cours, France

Since Paul Ricard returned to the F1 calendar in 2018, the races have been relatively processional to say the least. For an alternative, we’d love for F1 to go to its predecessor, the Magny Cours circuit for the French Grand Prix. The circuit isn’t easy to get to, and overtaking may be an issue, but the layout was a hell of a challenge. The 4.4km circuit had a bit of everything, from tight chicanes with quick directional changes and long straights, to sweeping bends. 

Buddh International Circuit, India

How could we have a wishlist of potential returning circuits without one that’s already present back home? Sure, Sebastian Vettel had a clean sweep of wins in all three iterations of the Indian Grand Prix that were held from 2011-13, but the circuit was well loved amongst fans, teams and drivers alike. It had a vast mix of corners, elevation changes and a long straight which made for decent racing at the venue. Unfortunately, an F1 return seems impossible, as the circuit is going through financial troubles just to stay afloat.

Kyalami, South Africa

This is one circuit that has generated quite the interest from fans in the hopes for an F1 return. And why wouldn’t it? F1 has had a 21-race long history, with Kyalami that brought along the challenge of searing heat and being one of the fastest tracks on the calendar at the time before being modified in the 90s. Technically, a return is not possible since Kyalami doesn’t have FIA Grade 1 status to host an F1 race. So the circuit will have to undergo some upgrades to make it F1 ready.

Laguna Seca Raceway, USA

 

While F1’s on and off affair with the states has stabilised of sorts with Austin and now Miami joining the calendar, there’s one legendary track still untouched by F1. We’re talking about the Laguna Seca Raceway. Sure, the track is pretty tight in width and there’s not a lot of overtaking opportunities, but we’d love to see Formula One cars tackle the infamous ‘Corkscrew’ section. Basically, that section of track falls into a sharp downhill section. In fact, that very section could be the spot to dive bomb for an overtake.

Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia 

Arguably Herman Tilke’s finest creation, the Sepang International Circuit held the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017. This track had everything from a tricky first sector, sweeping corners in the middle sector, and a super long straight in the last sector. Combine this with searing hot temperatures as well as the threat of rain, it served up some classics in 2001, 2009, and 2012. Unfortunately, during its final years, it struggled to attract big audiences, leading to its eventual axe from the calendar. But our fingers still remain crossed for a potential return to this prestigious venue.

Mount Panorama Circuit, Australia

 

Mount Panorama is another legendary circuit that’s yet to get a taste of Formula One racing action. This 6.2km circuit could serve up to be quite the challenge, with its long straights, and the fast Esses section of corners that end with the slow declining Forrest's Elbow left-hander. But this circuit is nowhere near safe for F1 racing, as it only has FIA Grade 3 status. This means, a lot of  changes would be required to make it F1 ready. Also, the circuit is a bit too difficult to get to, so generating revenue out of a Grand Prix there would be pretty difficult.

Nurburgring Nordschleife, Germany 

We saved the best for last, and it's not the watered down 5.1km Grand Prix circuit. We’re talking about the ‘Green Hell.’ Yes, the infamous ‘Nordschleife,' well known as the ultimate proving ground for man and machine all over the world. Spanning a length of 20.8km, which comprised a whopping 156 corners, that led to lap times averaging the 7 min mark. Unfortunately, a return to F1 is extremely wishful thinking, as we’ve not had a race here since three-time world champion Niki Lauda’s near-fatal crash in 1976. In addition to this, the circuit would require a host of safety upgrades to make it F1 worthy. And these safety upgrades might just butcher the hardcore challenge of the ‘Green Hell’ we all know and love.

What circuits would you like to see either returning to F1 or make their debuts? Comment down below.

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