Its modern form is still not to be underestimated: once the low-speed La Source hairpin is out the way, drivers have to contend with perhaps F1’s greatest corner combination, Eau Rouge and Raidillon. Despite naysayers proclaiming the terrifying kink is not what it was after safety modifications, recent crashes by Jack Aitken and Lando Norris demonstrates it’s still a curve to be reckoned with.
From there it’s foot-to-the-floor down the Kemmel Straight into Les Combes. Pouhon, Stavelot and Blanchimont only add to the classic ensemble of corners.
Spa, naturally, has provided many a thriller through the years: Damon Hill taking Jordan’s first win; Lewis Hamilton ‘winning’ at the death in 2008, and Jim Clark’s four consecutive virtuoso wins from ’62 to ’65.
The racing topography gives Spa its beauty, but the sheer speed is equally important in forming this legendary track’s character.
Red Bull Ring
Average speed 153mph (246km/h)
Top speed 200mph (325km/h)
Watson and Hunt engage in drag race off the start of Austria ’76
Bernard Cahier/Getty Images
Lap record: Valtteri Bottas (2020): 1min 02.293sec
Many pine for the old longer and even faster Österreichring, but its new incarnation is still a high-speed high jink through the Styrian mountains – and has produced some great races for it too.
Max Verstappen barged Charles Leclerc out the way as the 2019 edition came to its climax, and we saw Lando Norris claim a thrilling last lap podium the year after, but the old iteration was partial to a thriller also.
John Watson out-slipstreamed Ronnie Peterson, Jody Scheckter and James Hunt to take Penske’s first win in 1976, whilst in 1982 Elio de Angelis just pipped Keke Rosberg to the win in F1’s fourth-closest finish – 0.05sec.
The start – finish straight is relatively unusual (as is COTA) in that it immediately climbs uphill, as drivers ascend into the Styrian mountains.
The first half of the circuit is essentially a collection of long straights connected by slow-to-medium speed corners, with a winding section leading to finish what is F1’s shortest lap – a thrill-a-minute go-kart track of mountainous proportions.
Suzuka
Average speed 153mph (240km/h)
Top speed 200mph (328km/h)
McNish is led away after his harrowing shunt in ’02
Grand Prix Photo
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel (2019): 1min 27.046sec
As modern F1 challenges go, there are few which stimulate the senses quite like Suzuka. The sheer speed and demand of its twists and turns, combined with a charismatic setting and fervent crowd make it a circuit cherished by drivers and fans alike – that’s not to mention feared and respected too.
A looping first corner leads into the slalom ‘S’ Curves, before the tricky Degner turns – ones which come up so fast they have often caught out drivers who find themselves suddenly in the gravel or barriers.
The Hairpin and then Spoon corners then launch drivers into one of F1’s biggest challenges, the 130R. Taken at over 300km/h, the sweeping left-hander has been reprofiled to make it safer, but still remains one of the most formidable in grand prix racing.
Ayrton Senna famously took out Alain Prost at the ’90 race to secure his second title, the track unfortunately claiming other victims too: Nigel Mansell crashed spectacularly at the S Curves to end his ’87 title hopes, Allan McNish had a horrifying shunt through the barriers at 130R in 2002 and Jules Bianchi tragically died from his injuries less than a year after his crash into a recovery vehicle at the 2014 race.
However, after a three-year absence due to Covid, F1 returns this year – and drivers apparently can’t wait. Suzuka still remains one of the fastest thrill-rides in the championship.
Albert Park
Average speed 153mph (244km/h)
Top speed 200mph (322km/h)
Sparks flying once more at Albert Park
Dan Istitene/F1 via Getty Images
Lap record: Charles Leclerc (2022): 1min 27.046sec
After the opening Middle Eastern exchanges of the 2022 F1 season, the championship returned to a carnival atmosphere on the streets of Albert Park for the first time since 2019.
