My Racetrack Wishlist for F1
10 Tracks that I would like to see make a return to F1
10) Brands Hatch
A long but simple track with a funny name, Brands Hatch is one of Britain's most famous and busiest tracks. The British Grand Prix has been hosted here a couple time but unfortunately the much larger [capacity wise] Silverstone has been on the top podium for selection of the British Grand Prix for most of the 90s up until now. The highlight of this track to me is the fast downhill right hander that takes place right after the start/finish straight, expect a lot of crashes in a more exciting manner than other GPs
9) Detroit Street Circuit
Who doesn't love a street circuit? [except for Valencia] Street Circuits are the ultimate test of driver precision and consistency, one bump off the line and your gone. For this reason alone the Detroit Street Circuit [which hosted the American GP] would be one of the most challenging street circuits. Apart from its sheer difficulty, Detroit is America's motor haven and nothing is more special than hosting a race in the middle of the "Motor City." To add emphasis to this, the circuit passes by GM's HQ [Renaissance Centre] and the home of the Detroit Auto Show, the COBO Arena.
8) AVUS
If you've heard of Auto Union chances are you've seen a picture of a V16 type C going around some crazy concrete banking. In most cases, most of these pics may have been taken at AVUS, a high speed test track that is now a section of the Autobahn. It played host primarily to Germans trying to go fast and when they weren't fighting a war, it held a grand prix or two. The absolute craziness that took place on this track should be continued [even if it's not F1 doing it] on the replacement Lausitzring. With todays safety standards, chances are that if race cars were to race there they will probably still be doing the speeds that Auto Unions reached in the 30s [200mph] only in safety cells and not magnesium coffins.
7) Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Magny-Cours was just an amazing piece of flowing fast chicanes that was sadly just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Even though overtaking was minimum there just admiring the cars take corners flat out was enough entertainment for me.
6) Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indy has had a bittersweet relationship with F1, it became the home of F1 in America by making the Indy 500 an F1 event, after the 500 was dropped from F1, it returned using the infield circuit which became known for the end of F1 in America. After coming off of the final corner, the high cornering forces caused tyre failure on Rolf Schumacher's car in 05. As a result Michelin called all cars to have a mandatory tyre recall leaving cars that didn't have Michelins [Ferrari and some of the crap teams] to lead the race. In the end only 6 cars finished and American F1 fans everywhere had a sad. The result of this was a reintroduction to tyre changes in pitstops [which was banned that season] and the switch to a sole tyre supplier [which eventually became Bridgestone] I hope that in the future, Indy and Bernie settle there differences and we'll see a return to one of America's greatest circuits to F1.
5) Circuit Paul Ricard
The Paul Ricard Circuit was built to be the most technologically superior race track in the world. Instead of gravel traps, it had abrasive run off strips [those red and blue stripes] and it ditched tyre walls in favor of Tecpro Barriers. Despite this, big crashes took place here and the long 'Mistral' straight didn't help a bit. For a quite a while it served as the home as the French Grand Prix but instead it is now one of the most popular test circuits. I myself just find those red and blue stripes a thing of beauty and would easily serve as one of the best looking circuits on the calendar. I propose that this becomes one of the official test tracks for the season.
4) Watkins Glen International
Said to be the adopted home of F1 racing in America after the 500 was dropped, the New York based track, known simply as 'The Glen' has been home not only to F1s US Grand Prix, but almost ever form of top tier road racing available. Just watching NASCAR races, the track just screams old school. Although the cambers are too steep, the surface too uneven and the elevation too tricky, I feel The Glen in nothing more than a scaled down Nurburgring. The simply layout might bore most people but I feel the challenges on the track construction itself would be where all the entertainment is at. Sadly if this were to be included in the present day F1 calendar, a full track overhaul would be needed.
3) Imola
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari [if you want to get anal] will forever be known as the place where Roland Ratzenburger and Ayrton Senna lost their lives. The ever dangerous high speed track has constantly over the year been neutered in one way or another in the name of safety. The high speed corners had a bad habit of sling-shooting cars off the track [which is what happened to Senna] Apart from the impending death looming around each corner, just judging from the name, Imola is the home of the Tifosi. The Tifosi is a group of die hard Ferrari fans that will kill and maim if a Ferrari does not win [the lap record is still held by a Ferrari btw] The mix of passion, danger and history have all made Imola an important track but unfortunately, with all the neutering in the world, the F1 gurus still cannot claim it as legal just yet.
2) The Bugatti Circuit
Most people don't know this track, but most, if not all, know the track its attached to, Circuit de la Sarthe. The Sarthe, for most of the year, is a highway and as such cannot be raced on 24/7 so The Bugatti Circuit served as a permanent race fixture to keep the residents busy. The only part this track shares with the monstrous 8 mile course is the section from the Ford Chicane up to the S's. The shortened track has been used for F1 briefly as it forms a more reasonable solution than using the full 'Sarthe' layout. Despite being a baby Sarthe, the twisty bits do get interesting and you sort of have to be respectful that you are in fact racing on history, a track older than F1 itself. Because there is no French Grand Prix, why not just use this?
1) The Nurburgring Nordschleife
Was there any doubt that this wouldn't be #1? 13 miles of death and ruin twisting around the scenic German hills as well as 3-4 villages. The 'Ring' is a legend in its own right and is widely accepted as the only F1 track NEVER to return to host an F1 event. To ensure a link is made, the much shorter Nurburgring track, built specifically for F1 use, shares only the start finish straight with the old Norschleife [granted you're goin in the opposite direction] Because of the lame Valencia Circuit, the Nurburgring has been demoted from European GP to German GP, a title it has to rotate with Hockenheimring. The good news is the Nurburgring returns this season.
5 tracks I wish would make an appearance in F1
5) Infineon Raceway
Quite possibly one of the few tracks with such a high elevation change, a drop from one end to the other might certainly guarantee death. Infineon is one of America's few none oval tracks and its also home to a stage of NASCAR. The track is known specifically for placing all of its corners either goin uphill, downhill or both with special attention given to putting apexes at the peak of the hills making corners blind. Its a great track with favorable run off and NASCAR spec seating capacity so it should be good enough for F1.
Suggested name: They turn right in America too GP
4) Tsukuba Circuit
This is famous for being completely opposite in size to the Nordschleife. At 1.2 miles, its smaller than some F1 straights. The track may pose a difficulty in holding the full field of F1 cars, but that action should be continuous. The main purpose of having an F1 event here would just to see how it would work.
Suggested name: Japanese GP mini
3) Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
By far America's greatest racing track. The corkscrew alone would cause drivers to wet themselves without even mentioning the blind corners and drastic elevation changes. The track is nothing short of amazing and has made several attempts to make it on the F1 calendar. The problem however lies now only with the danger of its signature curve, but it also lacks the seating capacity that the F1 guys want. [Keep in mind most people who watch a race at Laguna Seca camp out there]
Suggested name: The Corkscrew GP
2) Circuit de la Sarthe
Circuit de la Sarthe is pretty much the longer version of The Bugatti circuit taking up an astonishing 8 miles, nearly 4 miles of it is the ridiculously long Mulsanne straight. This high speed track has been the home of the 24 hours of Le Mans for almost 90 years. The world's longest race on one of the longest tracks always spews out some drama, seeing F1 cars on the track would have been a perfect test for durability especially since the FIA is pushing towards more reliable cars that last longer
Suggested name: 24 Laps of Le Mans
1) Bathurst [Mount Panorama Circuit]
Quite possibly the closest track in comparison to the Nurburgring. The 3.8 mile circuit is Australia's automotive mecca where the two big names of Ford and Holden duke it out along the twisty streets of Mount Panorama. The challenge of the narrow roads, elevations changes, no run off and fast downhill back straight ensure drama and excitement [and no FIA certification] How many tracks have the authority to name their first corner Hell?
Suggested name: Bathurst GP
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