Tracks Formula One Should Revisit
Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, has raced across the globe, in six different continents, and over 20 countries, including Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Iconic tracks such as Monza’s ‘Temple of Speed’, Britain’s ‘Crown Jewel’ being Silverstone and The Principality of Monaco; are etched in Formula 1’s racing lore.
While these tracks have laid the foundation for Formula 1’s heritage, there have been more tracks that add a rich layer to the motorsport’s rich history.
Let’s look at what Formula 1 is missing and what especially should Formula 1 should revisit.
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France (1991-2008)
The Magny-Cours circuit has become a cornerstone of many fierce rivalries dating from 1991 to the conclusive use of the circuit dating back to 2008.
A circuit paved in the heart of France became dominated by the Scarlet Red Italians of Ferrari. Winning eight times from 1997 to 2008.
The drivers include Felipe Massa, Kimi Räikkönen, and one of Formula 1’s greatest, Michael Schumacher. All have attained glory around the Mangy-Cours Circuit.
Seeing Formula 1 return to the centre of France would showcase a new challenge for teams and drivers alike.
A challenge that would see Formula 1 drivers navigate this 4.412-kilometre circuit with a hint of excitement and a new layer of intensity.
This is due to Formula 1’s absence from the calendar since 2008 to which the pinnacle of motorsport has evolved today with hybrid technology and higher top speeds.
PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia (1999-2017)
If France brings back memories, let’s travel south-east, to Malaysia where Formula 1 raced around the Sepang International Circuit.
Just like the Magny-Cours circuit, Ferrari dominated the Asian country yet again, winning seven times out of the 19 races held.
The circuit has etched some dominating victories, mainly from Williams-BMW’s driver Ralf Schumacher (brother of Michael Schumacher) in 2002, finishing 39 seconds ahead of his team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya. Taking a 1-2 finish for the team.
But Sepang has also showcased an underdog story. In 2012 when Fernando Alonso was feeling the pressure from the young Sauber driver of Sergio Perez in the closing stages of the race.
Unfortunately, the Mexican driver ran wide at Turn 14, giving Alonso the breathing room to hold off the Sauber driver to take the victory in Malaysia.
The 5.543-kilometre circuit specialises in high top speeds mixed with technical corners, making Sepang a balanced circuit. Thus, creating a unique challenge for drivers and teams to fine-tune the car setup.
Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, Germany (1970-2019)
If Sepang brings speed and technical corners to mind, let’s shift northwest to Germany, where the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg resides, a circuit with a rich history in Formula 1.
Due to its rich history, the Hockenheimring features a thrilling mix of fast straights technical corners, and unpredictable weather that leads to dramatic races around this 4.574-kilometre circuit.
While the Formula 1 community loathes for the sport to return to Germany it has been dominated by the Italian team of Ferrari.
Starting from Nicki Lauda in 1977, to Fernando Alonso in 2012, Ferrari has won 11 of the 38 races held in Hockenheim.
What sets the sights on a potential return to German tarmac, is the opportunity for Audi to enter the sport in the promotion of another German manufacturer to endorse a future race.
But not only at the Hockenheimring but potentially the Nürburgring…
Nürburgring, Nürburg, Ahrweiler, Germany (1951-2020)
Located just over 200 kilometres northwest of Hockenheim is the notorious but gripping venue, the Nürburgring home of the Nordschleife.
Since Formula 1’s inception in 1950, the pinnacle of motorsport has been synonymous with racing at the Nürburgring from 1951 up to the global pandemic in 2020.
The sport has created thrilling highlights starting from 1965, when Jim Clark qualified for the pole position, leading every lap in the Grand Prix to take the win.
While the track has created some exciting highlights it has created fear, especially in 1976 when Ferrari driver Nicki Lauda attempted to make up for lost time during the race, lost control of his car and crashed.
Engulfed in flames, Lauda was hit by another two drivers until the Austrian was rescued from the wreckage, leaving him with severe burns and six weeks out of action.
The sport neglected the Nordschleife on the grounds that a dated circuit could not adapt to the evolution of Formula 1’s quest for speed. In its place is the 5.148-kilometre Grand Prix Circuit.
The circuit now has given home heroes such as Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel to cherish and create more epic highlights for the sport’s history.
Overall
Formula 1, to this day, will create history with newly founded tracks such as Miami, Jeddah, Qatar and even Las Vegas.
But given the opportunity for a potential return to tracks Formula 1 has left behind, the prospect would create a new sense of excitement.
Given Formula 1’s evolution, where cars have become faster, and more sensitive to overtaking as well as the technological advancements.
There’s no denying that the pinnacle could return to said venues but as to when, remains a mystery for now…