There are 24 tracks in Formula One, and drivers have their favourites

NEW YORK – Formula One’s growing calendar features 24 tracks and each has its challenges.

For drivers, some tracks are more acclaimed depending on layout, the thrill involved and their relative competitiveness.

Some circuits are relished for a qualifying lap, while others are better for side-by-side racing. A home circuit can make some sentimental, as might its history, or have a passionate fan base.

There are 16 permanent circuits and eight semi-permanent or temporary street-based tracks, where public roads are used. Among those, there are three that drivers typically acclaim – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (often referred to as Spa) in Belgium, Silverstone in England and Suzuka International Racing Course in Japan.

All three are historic, renowned for their high-speed corners and natural flow, where drivers can push cars to the limit of adhesion and where mistakes will bite.

“Spa has always been my favourite track, with its fast corners and lots of opportunities for overtaking,” Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen said.

The sweeping circuit rises and falls 100m across its 7km lap.

The Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex, a left-right-left corner through which drivers plunge before rapidly ascending, is revered as one of the most classic sections on any racetrack.

“Driving Spa is always special and I particularly enjoy the elevation changes, the way the track climbs and drops, which we don’t experience at many tracks during the year,” Yuki Tsunoda of RB. “Most of the corners are high speed, very challenging, kind of old school.”

Silverstone has 10 of its 18 corners taken above 200kmh, including the Maggotts and Becketts turns, where the change of direction is staggering.

“Silverstone is one of the best circuits in terms of pure driving sensations,” Alpine’s Pierre Gasly said. “It’s fast, high speed, a place where the car is at its limit through some of the corners, and that is just so much fun at the wheel.”

Zhou Guanyu, who left Sauber at the end of the season, agreed that “Silverstone is always fun as it’s one of those tracks that seems designed to push the limits of what our cars can achieve”.

Suzuka’s narrow figure-eight layout features an abundance of high-speed curves that navigates its way through the undulating Japanese countryside.

Its first sector, featuring a sequence of sweeps, is another area where the aerodynamic prowess of Formula One cars – and drivers’ confidence – is truly tested, as grass, gravel and barriers perilously line the circuit edge.

“It’s a lot of fun when the car is also really hooked up,” Verstappen said. “If you have a car that is not really well balanced in the first sector, it makes it really, really challenging. But a car that is just very stable gives you a lot of confidence, and then you can really push Sector 1, which for me is the best part of the track. If you make a small mistake, you can go off in the grass or gravel.”

Street tracks provide a different challenge, but they can have distinct features.

Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit is torturous and bumpy, with an abundance of slow 90-degree turns, the task accentuated by extreme humidity.

But the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia is rapid, with smooth and grippy tarmac, and was essentially purpose-built, but designed to feel like a street track. Its average lap speed of 250kmh makes it the fastest street circuit.

“The walls are super close, so your focus is constantly at 100 per cent,” Verstappen said.

“Some tracks you can relax a bit on the straight or whatever, but (at Jeddah) the straights – most of them are not even straights – you’re constantly turning, pulling G, so your body doesn’t have a lot of rest.”

Circuit de Monaco, at 3.3km, is less than half the length of Spa, but it packs a lot into its congested and breathless layout.

Newer street tracks such as Singapore and Las Vegas ensure Formula One remains fresh, but Monaco remains the doyen of street tracks, with no room for error, heightened by its glamorous location and prestige.

“It is more special than any other street circuit given that it’s Monaco, the history,” said Lewis Hamilton, who will be in Ferrari’s colours in 2025. “I love street circuits. They’re a lot more violent. They’re more challenging I think compared to the open areas, they’re more risky, more hair-raising.” NYTIMES