RANKED: Top 10 Classic F1® Circuits to Experience

Despite its continued expansion to new and exciting destinations, Formula 1® retains a strong link to many historic and iconic circuits that have shaped the sport over the past 70 years. In fact, four of the seven circuits Formula 1® raced on during the first year of the modern World Championship in 1950 — Silverstone, Circuit de Monaco, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Autodromo Nazionale Monza — are still part of the calendar!

From old favourites to modern classics, here are 10 historic circuits worth ticking off your F1® bucket.

1.    Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

One of the oldest circuits on the Formula 1® calendar (over 100 years old), Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is the city park circuit on the outskirts of Milan, and has hosted a round of the modern World Championship every year but one since 1950.

Oftentimes referred to as the ‘Temple of Speed’, today’s superfast 5.8km layout retains many of the original corners from back then. The scene of so many historic victories over the years, Monza retains a special place in the hearts of F1® fans, especially the ‘Tifosi’ of Ferrari.

Why go? Electric atmosphere in a stunning location in the heart of a large city park with easy access to the food, culture and history of Milan.

2.    Circuit de Monaco

Opened in 1929, Circuit de Monaco has always been an unlikely and impractical venue for top-flight motor racing. Yet the race in the tiny principality on the French Riviera remains one of the blue-ribbon events of Formula 1®.

Despite its limitations, Circuit de Monaco remains hugely challenging for drivers and an incredible spectacle for those fortunate enough to attend.

Why go? Glamour, super yachts, people-watching and the chance to see modern F1 cars on the ragged edge at very close quarters.

3.    Silverstone

Built on the site of a World War II airstrip, Silverstone was opened in 1948 and held the first race of the modern Formula 1® World Championship two years later, with King George VI in attendance. Despite being rather flat and featureless, the fast and flowing circuit in the English countryside has delivered many of the sport’s most exciting races over the years.

Firmly established as the sole host of the Grand Prix™ in Great Britain since the late 1980s, Silverstone remains a supreme test of drivers’ skills and is also one of the best-attended races on the entire calendar.

Why go? Passionate and knowledgeable local fans, a friendly atmosphere and an action-packed event schedule, on and off the track.

4.    Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The ultimate test of a driver’s skills and nerve, the original Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps comprised 15km of hilly public roads in the Ardennes mountains. The circuit hosted the Grand Prix™ in Belgium for the first time in 1925 and has remained a part of the F1® calendar since the advent of the modern World Championship in 1950.

Safety concerns have been a recurring theme at Spa-Francorchamps, which was finally shortened to its current 7km layout in 1979, but not before it briefly lost its place on the calendar. Formula 1® returned to Spa in 1983, and this iconic circuit has been a near-constant F1® fixture ever since.

Why go? Currently the longest Formula 1® circuit, offering exceptional trackside views and exciting racing in a beautiful corner of Western Europe.

5.    Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve

On a cold day in October 1978, Quebec native Gilles Villeneuve took a hugely popular victory in the inaugural Grand Prix™ in Canada at the Île Notre-Dame Circuit. Built on a man-made island in the Saint Lawrence Seaway close to downtown Montréal, the circuit was renamed in honour of Villeneuve after a tragic accident claimed the Ferrari driver’s life at the 1982 Grand Prix™ in Belgium.

An almost constant presence on the calendar for more than 40 years, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve has produced many memorable races over the years, including popular one-off victories for Jean Alesi (1995) and Robert Kubica (2008), and an extraordinary last-to-first win in treacherous wet conditions for Jenson Button in 2011.

Why go? Better than average chance of an exciting race, plus French-speaking Montréal comes alive on race weekend with street parties and a warm welcome for visiting fans.

6.    Autódromo José Carlos Pace

Autódromo José Carlos Pace, commonly referred to as Interlagos, opened in 1940 and is located in the southern suburbs of São Paulo. Many of the early races ran on an almost 8 km-long layout were dominated by local drivers Emerson Fittipaldi and Carlos Pace, but complaints about the rough track surface and lack of safety measures saw the Grand Prix™ move to Rio de Janeiro during the 1980s. Formula 1® returned to a shorter and safer version of Interlagos in 1990, and the circuit has featured on the calendar every year since, aside from 2020.

Interlagos has a well-deserved reputation for producing close and exciting racing, especially when it rains, and has also been the scene of many exciting championship showdowns since moving to a late-season calendar slot in 2004.

Why go? Great trackside views, exciting racing and the chance to explore São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city.

7.    Hungaroring

The first and only race held behind the Iron Curtain made its debut on the 1986 Formula 1® calendar and has been held every year since. Only Monza can claim a longer continuous presence on the F1® calendar than the Hungaroring!

The tight and twisty circuit on the outskirts of Budapest has delivered more than its fair share of exciting races over the years, and the Grand Prix™ in Hungary remains a popular summer fixture on the European F1® calendar.

Why go? Warm weather, excellent spectator views and close proximity to the affordable and vibrant city of Budapest. 

8.    Red Bull Ring

Formula 1® racing on the circuit known today as the Red Bull Ring dates back to 1970 when the Grand Prix™ in Austria was first held at the 5.9km Österreichring. The fast and dangerous layout that F1® drivers first raced on remained for 18 consecutive years before its safety shortcomings were exposed by the hugely powerful turbo cars of the mid-1980s.

The Grand Prix™ made a relatively brief return to the calendar (1997-2003) on a much safer and shorter version of the circuit known as the A1-Ring, but it wasn’t until Austrian energy drinks magnate Dietrich Mateschitz took control in the late 2000s that the future of the circuit was assured. After significant renovations, the renamed Red Bull Ring made a popular return to the F1® calendar in 2014.

Why go? Excellent organisation, unbeatable trackside views and a friendly welcome in the beautiful Austrian countryside.

9.    Suzuka Circuit

Opened in 1960 as a test track for Honda, Suzuka Circuit has been the home of the Grand Prix™ in Japan since 1987. A favourite among drivers and fans alike, Suzuka’s unique ‘figure of eight’ layout has produced some of the most exciting F1® races of the past 35 years.

As one of the final races on the calendar for much of its existence, the Grand Prix™ has also been the scene of multiple championship deciders, including infamous accidents between title contenders Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1989 and 1990.

Why go? Excellent trackside views, passionate local fans and the chance to experience Japan’s unique history and culture.

10.    Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez

Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, located in Mexico City, is one of the most vibrant and historically rich venues on the Formula 1® calendar. Opened in 1959 and named after legendary racing brothers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez, the circuit hosted its first official Grand Prix in 1963. After two extended hiatuses, it returned to the calendar in 2015 following a major modernisation.

Situated over 2,200 meters above sea level, its thin air creates unique aerodynamic and engine cooling challenges for teams. Its modern layout is famous for the Foro Sol stadium section, where cars navigate a stadium bowl surrounded by thousands of cheering fans, leading into one of the most electric podium celebrations in motorsport.

Why go? Unmatched high-altitude racing drama paired with the legendary stadium atmosphere and vibrant energy of Mexico City.

Whether you are looking to attend a Grand Prix™ at one of the aforementioned historic circuits or travel to a completely new destination, F1® Experiences offers Official Ticket Packages to every race on the F1® calendar, giving you more than just access to the action as Formula 1® continues to grow and expand its global reach. Your journey begins now!

VIEW OFFICIAL TICKET PACKAGES