World Class Circuits

What makes a racing venue world class? Of course, its when its a Formula One circuit. With the highest in automotive racing technology, F1 is the ultimate motorsport. Tens of millions are lost and gained in any single race, and the circuit plays a major factor.

Lets check out the circuits of Formula One: the most advanced motorsport tracks.

Map of all F1 venues
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/bsp/hi/image_maps/05/2/1108391636/img/image.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/bsp/hi/image_maps/05/2/1108393171/img/image.gif

Bahrain International Circuit - Bahrain

Interactive and Commentary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4244345.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Bahrain.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/bahrain.gif

http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2006/PS3C4700_2.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2006/crowd-2.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2006/PS3C4370_2.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2006/PS3C4656_2.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2006/vending-area-2.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2005/gulfair2.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2005/winners.jpg
http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/wp-content/files/Image/Gallery/Formula%20One/2005/toyotaf1bahraingp.jpg

Sepang International Circuit - Malasia

Interactive and Commentary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4244253.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Malasia.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/malaysia.gif

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/features/motorsports/06.formula.1.grand.prix.of.malaysia/race.action.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/features/motorsports/05.malaysian.grand.prix/renault.flag.500.jpg


Melbourne GP Circuit Albert Park - Melbourne, Australia

Interactive and Commentary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4243669.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Australia.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/australia.gif

http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images-versioned/9580/1-eng-AU/on_track_action_photo00011.jpg
http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images/pit_crew/photo_galleries/2006_fagp/day_3/bird_s_eye_view/33005-1-eng-AU/bird_s_eye_view.jpg
http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images/pit_crew/photo_galleries/2006_fagp/day_2/juan_pablo_montoya__1/32324-1-eng-AU/juan_pablo_montoya.jpg
http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images/pit_crew/photo_galleries/2006_fagp/day_2/pit_lane/32065-1-eng-AU/pit_lane.jpg
http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images/pit_crew/photo_galleries/2006_fagp/day_3/fernando_alonso__5/33062-1-eng-AU/fernando_alonso.jpg
http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images/pit_crew/photo_galleries/2006_fagp/day_3/felipe_massa__5/33050-1-eng-AU/felipe_massa.jpg
http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images/pit_crew/photo_galleries/2006_fagp/day_3/under_the_bridge_downtown/33029-1-eng-AU/under_the_bridge_downtown.jpg

Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari - San Marino

Interactive and Commentary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4244433.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/SanMarino.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/san_marino.gif

Nurburgring - Germany

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250741.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Europa.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/european.gif

Circuit de Catalunya - Catalunya, Spain

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4244701.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Espana.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/spain.gif

Circuit de Monaco - Monaco

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4244777.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Monaco.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/monaco.gif

Silverstone Circuit - England, UK

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250951.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Inglaterra.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/britain.gif

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - Montreal, Canada

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250793.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Canada.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/canada.gif

Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Indianapolis, USA

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250839.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/EEUU.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/usa.gif

Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours - France

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250889.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Francia.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/france.gif

Hockenheiem-Ring Motodrom - Germany

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4251659.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Alemania.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/germany.gif

Hungaroring Sport Rt. - Hungary

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4251951.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Hungria.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/hungary.gif

Tomsfed - Istanbul, Turkey

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4756552.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Turquia.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/turkey.gif

Autodromo Nazionale Monza - Italy

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4252245.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Italia.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/italy.gif

Spa-Francorchamps - Belgium

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250441.stm)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/belgium.gif

Shanghai International Circuit - Shanghai, China

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4245789.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/China.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/china.gif

Suzuka International Racetrack - Japan

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4258051.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Japon.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/japan.gif

Interlagos - Sao Paulo, Brazil

Interactive and Commontary (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4257987.stm)

http://www.coches.net/revista/formula1/FotosCircuitos/Brasil.gif
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/spl/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuits/img/brazil.gif

Apologies for the exemption of Spa-Francorchamps from the rating system.

Pictures will be added. Post is being continuously updated.

Monza is amazing, the cathedral of motorsport and the facilities aren't that bad, though I like the Instanbul circuit, plenty of overtaking last year and the drivers seemed to love it

SPA is the best circuit, facilities are dated though.

Ratings for each circuit on the quality of the race track.

Bahrain 5/10
Malaysia 6/10
Melbourne 7/10
Imola 7/10
Nurburgring 8/10
Barcelona 6/10
Monaco 7/10
Silverstone 7/10
Canada 8/10
Indianapolis 7/10
Magny-Cours 5/10
Hockenheiem 6/10
Hungary 6/10
Istanbul 7/10
Monza 8/10
Spa 9/10
Shanghai 7/10
Suzuka 8/10
Interlagos 7/10

Monaco and Nurburgring are always the most intresting I dont like these new Asian tracks, all the same and very boring. Monaco is always one of the best because its 200mph cars racing through a cities streets, dont get much better than that. Also its the place to be if you want to watch F1 at its best.

Also the Nurburgring because its just a pure race track and is one of the most demanding tracks around. It would be good if they used the full track instead of just parts of it.

The most impressive circuit remains Monaco to me. Granted, you can't overtake there, but the setting is simply amazing. The day when Monaco will disappear from the F1 world tour will be a very sad day to me.

I think that Spa is the driver's favourite. I enjoy watching Monaco tho.

Pretty hard to beat this.

http://www.f1-tickets.co.uk/images/penthouse-lg.jpg
http://www.eventsonyachts.com/images_for_gallery_page/2001085445907.jpg

My favorite track will always be Spa. Its amazing layout makes it a driver's and spectator's favorite. Suzuka, Monaco, the old Hockenheim, Silverstone and Monza are other great tracks. Out of the new Tilke designed tracks, the best is Istanbul.

The track that i want out of the F1 calendar is Hungaroring. Races there are often boring.

I'm a Yankee, but Indy just is not, in my opinion, worthy of an F1 race. It should be Laguna Seca. I would like Walkins Glen in New York State, but it cannot be renovated due to it being on some national preservation list.

I wish they could lengthen the front straight at Laguna Seca. Then it would be pretty cool. I'd have to say a Road America with a new grand stand and some FIA approved runoff areas would be up there with Spa as a driver's favorite. That's a course that was made for powerful cars.

My current favorite is Spa

Spa is Good! but i prefer Monaco more :):)

The European racetracks are usually the best, obviously Spa and Monza are classic, I love the long straights and high speed at Monza. Also Silverstone for the most part is cool, but the priory and brooklands corners slow down what is a very fast racetrack. I actually like INdy since the long front straight allows for some overtaking, but turns 8, 9, and 10 ruin any overtaking oppurtunities on the back straight. Sadly, there is probably no where else in America to run it, most proper road courses are in rural areas and dont have the money and facilities to host F1, and Id prefer to stay away from any street or parking lot courses like the failed Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, and Las Vegas race tracks. Unless someone with loads of money wants to build or buy a ractrack and design it for F1, Indy will continue to be the home of the USGP. Monaco is just a classic, with the speeds so high and the barriers so close it looks like it would be impossible to drive on that track, the scenery is amazing as well.

Hockenheim and the Nurburgring were ruined. While the Hermann Tilke designed tracks have some very nice looking facilities, the courses are a little bland.

Well I love the new shanghai circuit, brilliant design & the architecture is awasome.
Malaysia is another fav of mine. Monaco will always be the feature race of the F1 but racing wise it aint that great, it will always will be full of accidents. Hockenheiem is brilliant.

Well I love the new shanghai circuit, brilliant design & the architecture is awasome.
Malaysia is another fav of mine. Monaco will always be the feature race of the F1 but racing wise it aint that great, it will always will be full of accidents. Hockenheiem is brilliant.


Spa is the best

Spa is my favourite. It has the Eau Rouge corner, one of the best in F1. It's in a league of its own for entertainment in the wet.

http://static.flickr.com/1/121935256_cf94960b3b.jpg

I wish they could lengthen the front straight at Laguna Seca. Then it would be pretty cool. I'd have to say a Road America with a new grand stand and some FIA approved runoff areas would be up there with Spa as a driver's favorite. That's a course that was made for powerful cars.

My current favorite is Spa

And some FIM runoffs ;)

Indianapolis for its speed. Monaco for its corners and setting but its too slow.

Adelaide Street Circuit is the best ever.

Spa is the best
Ahem, thats why they not racing there this year.
its a pity though, I like that track, esp when I'm racing on it on my psp :)

a sight not to be seen this year :(
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4568/bilde0yu.jpg

Eau Rouge is the best corner on any F1 circuit. Monza is the best track. Hockenhiem & Silverstone are shadows of their former glorious selves. Monaco is too tight for F1 but who cares, its Monaco.

Adelaide shat all over Albert Park. Still does.

copse at silverstone has to be the best corner!

nurburgring is my fav

monaco is boring, no room to overtake, visually stunning though

It’s nice to see people haven’t forgotten Spa yet.

People from all over the world praise Spa, but our own government don’t want to come up with the necessary money to modernize the infrastructure. Anyway, Ecclestone says there will be a Grand Prix in 2007. And I also heard about some vague plans to build a stand with a lenght of 250 meter.

I love Spa for its beautiful surroundings, and its special atmosphere ( the smell of the woods ! the smell of Liège waffles ! all those drunk Germans ! GREAT circuit ! )

http://www.honya.co.jp/contents/mmatsue/blog/images/S_051021_francorchamps_p.jpg

http://www.passionautomobile.info/images/PorscheDays2.jpg

This pictures gives a good general view :
http://www.francorchamps-karting.be/fr/images/aerienne.jpg

Spa is the best. No question.

The first pic of Nürburgring is outdated. They built a new sharp corner at the end of the start/finish straight, a few years ago. Which is a great improvement.
Everyone who wants them to drive at Nordschleife is an idiot, sorry. The old "Green Hell" is probably the most amazing racetrack on earth, but it's much too dangerous for F1-cars.

The reconstruction of Hockenheim was an improvement, too. Overtaking is now possible at the new hairpin corner.

Yep. Anyone remember the Spa Crash of 1998?

http://www.difference-engine.co.uk/library/damonhill/images/spamont1.jpg

http://www.atlasf1.com/98/ita/preview/spa-crash.JPG

http://mqsash.tripod.com/images/f1/spa_acc.jpg

The mass pile-up:
Crash Video 1 (mpeg) (http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=crash+spa+1998/v=2/OID=8309e1797f8a20c2/SID=e/l=VDI/;_ylt=A86.OSRVOzpE9wAAwCT8w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=138ipjv9i/EXP=1144753365/*-http%3A//www.lesalondelauto.com/images/files/Formule%201%20-%20Crash%20Spa%201998.mpeg)

Coulthard - Schumacher Crash
Crash Video 2 - With Crazy Commentator (mpeg) (http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=spa+1998/v=2/OID=e66416cb1178f00a/SID=e/l=VDI/;_ylt=A86.OSLaOzpE1TcBPMz8w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=13a0gqcip/EXP=1144753498/*-http%3A//bestformel1.de/Formel%201%20-%20Coulthard%20vs.%20Schumacher%20Spa%20(1998).mpg)

Adelaide shat all over Albert Park. Still does.

No it didn't, and it certainly does not. Dont let your bias towards Adelaide and bitterness towards the better GP that stole the only good thing your pitiful city had get in the way of making a decent judgement.

Nobody wants to race around the streets of a dull country town.


Albert Park rules!!!
http://www.golfvictoria.com.au/images/aerial2.jpg

Suzuka International Racing Course

one of the world’s most challenging circuits.

http://response.jp/issue/2004/1008/article64438_1.images/73853.jpg
http://response.jp/issue/2004/1010/article64458_1.images/73909.jpg
http://response.jp/issue/2005/1007/article75075_1.images/95851.jpg
http://response.jp/issue/2006/0217/article79475_1.images/108701.jpg

^^Agreed! Its a pity Toyota couldnt get a home win there last year, but 3rd wasnt bad

Yep. Anyone remember the Spa Crash of 1998?

http://www.difference-engine.co.uk/library/damonhill/images/spamont1.jpg

http://www.atlasf1.com/98/ita/preview/spa-crash.JPG

http://mqsash.tripod.com/images/f1/spa_acc.jpg

The mass pile-up:
Crash Video 1 (mpeg) (http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=crash+spa+1998/v=2/OID=8309e1797f8a20c2/SID=e/l=VDI/;_ylt=A86.OSRVOzpE9wAAwCT8w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=138ipjv9i/EXP=1144753365/*-http%3A//www.lesalondelauto.com/images/files/Formule%201%20-%20Crash%20Spa%201998.mpeg)

Coulthard - Schumacher Crash
Crash Video 2 - With Crazy Commentator (mpeg) (http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=spa+1998/v=2/OID=e66416cb1178f00a/SID=e/l=VDI/;_ylt=A86.OSLaOzpE1TcBPMz8w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=13a0gqcip/EXP=1144753498/*-http%3A//bestformel1.de/Formel%201%20-%20Coulthard%20vs.%20Schumacher%20Spa%20(1998).mpg)
I do remember that crash, in fact I think I've got it recorded on tape somewhere! I know I shouldn't like crashes, cus obviously it aint good for the drivers, but it is awesum to watch, adn that one was one of, if not THE best I've ever seen!

For setting you can't beat Monaco, for history and a good overtaking style race it's hard to beat Silverstone, for a general all round great, exciting race with an amazing track, Spa is the clear winner! Monza is another personal fave of mine as well!

:cheers:

- The "old" Nurburgring. 121 corners, practically a death a Grand Prix. They stopped racing there in about '76. Nikki Lauda has the mark of Nurburgring for life. Incredible circuit. You can actually do it yourself in your own car for about 20 euros if you are ever in that part of Gerry.

- The old Monza with the banked tracks, "Monza-napolis" you see in the 1966 film "Grand Prix".

- The "real" Spa-Francorchamps, not the modern, shortened jobbie.

Modern circuits are just glorified go-kart tracks. Yawn......

I guess that crash was a success Jack, as no-one was injured! But seriously it was dope to watch, the spray, the loose wheels, the shards o' metal...

I guess that crash was a success Jack, as no-one was injured! But seriously it was dope to watch, the spray, the loose wheels, the shards o' metal...
Yer. Funnily enough, I haven't seen a big crash like that for a while, I think we're due one soon!

:cheers:

btw, is anyone else really confused by the new qualifying rules they've got this season in F1, cus I've been watching every race so far and I still can't really figure it out. Something about a drop-out zone, and the more laps you do the more fuel you get in the race....what happened to the good old days when everyone had like 5 laps round the circuit, and the fastest guy got the poll position?

:cheers:

Spa is the best by a mile. The Eau Rouge is legendary!

SPA is the best circuit, facilities are dated though.

Ratings for each circuit on the quality of the race track.

Bahrain 5/10
Malaysia 6/10
Melbourne 7/10
Imola 7/10
Nurburgring 8/10
Barcelona 6/10
Monaco 7/10
Silverstone 7/10
Canada 8/10
Indianapolis 7/10
Magny-Cours 5/10
Hockenheiem 6/10
Hungary 6/10
Istanbul 7/10
Monza 8/10
Spa 9/10
Shanghai 7/10
Suzuka 8/10
Interlagos 7/10

I pretty much agree with you, I absolutely hate Magny-Cours, it's a shame, because it gives french viewers a bad spectacle.
On the other hand, I would give a higher grade to Barcelona, and Bahrein wasn't that bad.
I really like Monaco (who doesn't), Canada, Spa, Interlagos, etc.
And I like that in the recent years they've started to reach a little more worldwide, and in fact, they should scrap more European races. Get only Nurbirgring and sack Hockenheim as Germany's GP. Get rid of Magny-Cours and let Monaco be a half-French GP. I want to say get rid of either Imola or Monza, but that would be a crime.
Still, it's enough to get a GP in Eastern Europe, and one in Africa.

[QUOTE=victory]No it didn't, and it certainly does not. Dont let your bias towards Adelaide and bitterness towards the better GP that stole the only good thing your pitiful city had get in the way of making a decent judgement.

Nobody wants to race around the streets of a dull country town.


Albert Park rules!!!


Without wanting to sound biased (being from Adelaide myself), then can you explain why every single F1 race in Melbourne has been run at a loss? And every F1 race in Adelaide (1985-1995) was run at a profit? And Adelaide's 1995 race had over 500 000 people for the four day weekend?

And the current Clipsal 500 race in the V8 Supercar Series is constantly rated the best in the country by the drivers.

Without wanting to sound biased (being from Adelaide myself), then can you explain why every single F1 race in Melbourne has been run at a loss? And every F1 race in Adelaide (1985-1995) was run at a profit? And Adelaide's 1995 race had over 500 000 people for the four day weekend?

And the current Clipsal 500 race in the V8 Supercar Series is constantly rated the best in the country by the drivers.

Got a source for the financial results?

V8 supercars? please mate, melbournians have too many sporting events to go to to watch a bunch of thrid rate drivers slowly make ther way around a track in family sedans.

Albert Park is a much better circuit than Adelaide was.

Without wanting to sound biased (being from Adelaide myself), then can you explain why every single F1 race in Melbourne has been run at a loss? And every F1 race in Adelaide (1985-1995) was run at a profit? And Adelaide's 1995 race had over 500 000 people for the four day weekend?

And the current Clipsal 500 race in the V8 Supercar Series is constantly rated the best in the country by the drivers.

I thought the majority of F1 races were run at a loss, which is why they require massive amounts of public funding to hold an event, I know some do because thats why India is no longer interested in hosting a GP. I know Silverstone has so much trouble trying to keep facilities up to Bernies standards and still make a profit. Are you sure the lack of profit in Melbourne isnt due to Bernie's ever increasing demands.

Also, I assume the Adelaide circuit for aussie V-8s is the same or very similar to the old Grand Prix circuit? I know I have watched the Supercars race there and it is awesome. Australians know how to build a racetrack, even street courses like adelaide and surfers paradise have good racing, not to mention great road courses like Bathurst and Philip Island. Sadly in the US there are too many awful street races to list.

btw, is anyone else really confused by the new qualifying rules they've got this season in F1, cus I've been watching every race so far and I still can't really figure it out. Something about a drop-out zone, and the more laps you do the more fuel you get in the race....what happened to the good old days when everyone had like 5 laps round the circuit, and the fastest guy got the poll position?

:cheers:

At first I was confused, but know I got used to it, its very good I must say. It brings back the thrill to qualifying, the drivers must make the cut, no waiting to let the other guys go out, everyone has to set a banker lap in 15min to go to the next round, the slowest 6 drop out after the first 2 rounds of 15min, then the remianding 10 battle out for 20min, to try & get poll, it eleminates extra traffic, all the guys on the track at that time are flast, so its pretty exciting

I thought the majority of F1 races were run at a loss, which is why they require massive amounts of public funding to hold an event, I know some do because thats why India is no longer interested in hosting a GP. I know Silverstone has so much trouble trying to keep facilities up to Bernies standards and still make a profit. Are you sure the lack of profit in Melbourne isnt due to Bernie's ever increasing demands.

Also, I assume the Adelaide circuit for aussie V-8s is the same or very similar to the old Grand Prix circuit? I know I have watched the Supercars race there and it is awesome. Australians know how to build a racetrack, even street courses like adelaide and surfers paradise have good racing, not to mention great road courses like Bathurst and Philip Island. Sadly in the US there are too many awful street races to list.



Yeah, the V8 Supercar circuit is very similar to the old F1 circuit... only that part of east terrace and Rundle Rd that leads into Dequetteville Tce (Brabham Straight) has been chopped and the track now goes from East Tce into Bartels Rd - which then leads up to the shortened Brabham Straight. Hope that makes some sense :) The official website for V8 Supercars would have a diagram if you're interested...

As for financial statistics... I'm looking into it... I know for Melbourne's running of the GP they've never reported a profit (from what I've read and seen reported). Of course I'm referring to only the race (not including hotels and restaurants etc that would be happy with the extra business)... I'll get back to you with the details soonish.

Cheers

Spa is the best by a mile. The Eau Rouge is legendary!

Spa's popularity is massive, especially after the accident.

Rexfan2 going the democratic route.
In their current states, Spa is probably the best track out there, and its a bit of a sin that it won't be on the calender this year.

Indianapolis may not be as glamorous as Monaco, but the being the birth-place of auto-racing counts for something! Racing is a part of Indy and the local fans appreciate anything associated with speed. With the US Grand Prix at a permanent home now (I hope), the event should continue to grow so long as last year never happens again! I don't think any other American City coulds appreciate the F-1 like Indianapolis. The IMS facility is also top-notch! I love going to the track and the Pagoda is beautiful! Nice to see some of you like it here as well!

Istanbul !!!!

Bahrain 4/10
Malaysia 6/10
Melbourne 6/10
Imola 6/10
Nurburgring 7/10
Barcelona 4/10
Monaco 7/10
Silverstone 7/10
Canada 7/10
Indianapolis 4/10
Magny-Cours 6/10
Hockenheiem 6/10
Hungary 6/10
Istanbul 9/10
Monza 7/10
Spa 8/10
Shanghai 7/10
Suzuka 7/10
Interlagos 7/10

Top 5

Istanbul
Spa
Monaco
Monza
Suzuka
__________________

Indianapolis may not be as glamorous as Monaco, but the being the birth-place of auto-racing counts for something! Racing is a part of Indy and the local fans appreciate anything associated with speed. With the US Grand Prix at a permanent home now (I hope), the event should continue to grow so long as last year never happens again! I don't think any other American City coulds appreciate the F-1 like Indianapolis. The IMS facility is also top-notch! I love going to the track and the Pagoda is beautiful! Nice to see some of you like it here as well!
Indianapolis, whilst being a great track, is not totally suited to F1.
The in-field section they made is pretty awful, but i suppose they couldn't really do much more with the space they had.
Still, untill someone refurbishes an existing track, or builds a new circuit dedicated to F1 (or champ cars) i'm more than happy for F1 to stay at indy.

Indianapolis may not be as glamorous as Monaco, but the being the birth-place of auto-racing counts for something! Racing is a part of Indy and the local fans appreciate anything associated with speed. With the US Grand Prix at a permanent home now (I hope), the event should continue to grow so long as last year never happens again! I don't think any other American City coulds appreciate the F-1 like Indianapolis. The IMS facility is also top-notch! I love going to the track and the Pagoda is beautiful! Nice to see some of you like it here as well!

Perhaps the city could build a more suitable track. The indy speedway is just not a good F1 venue.

I LUV INTERLAGOS !

Perhaps the city could build a more suitable track. The indy speedway is just not a good F1 venue.


I wouldn't be surprised if the owners of IMS and the City did something along those lines if the F-1 race commited to here for a long period!

Albert Park Melbourne Australia

http://cars.grandprix.com.au/var/agpc_cars/storage/images-versioned/9580/1-eng-AU/on_track_action_photo00011.jpg

San Marino this weekend, any tips on who's gonna win it?

Melbourne seriously needs to look at building a permanent circuit. Albert Park is simply not sustainable.

Melbourne seriously needs to look at building a permanent circuit. Albert Park is simply not sustainable.

Yes it is sustainable, why would you say it isn't?

There is no need for a permanent circuit. And the event would just not be the same.

At Albert Park Lake we can have huge crowds, carnival attractions, no shortage of space, a great track, and then convert it back to a terrific public space for most of the year.

Albert park is a little boring. it has so many similar corners. 90 degree right lefts... perhaps if they mixed them up a little?

It's a street circuit (i think) so they probably can't change it much.
It's a nice circuit, but nothing special.
I have no idea how its managed to come 3rd in this poll...

Albert park is a little boring. it has so many similar corners. 90 degree right lefts... perhaps if they mixed them up a little?
Have you ever seen the section from after turn 10 leading up until turn 13? that is one of the great sections in F1 IMHO.
And its not just 90s L or R. The track takes bend (like between T10 and T11), then theres the tree shadows over the back sections which really bring back the art of racing which is just not seen in many of the pure racing circuits these days.

It's a street circuit (i think) so they probably can't change it much.
It's a nice circuit, but nothing special.
I have no idea how its managed to come 3rd in this poll...
2nd if you dont count the "other" option which makes up a few different tracks. I'd say thas about right to, Monaco is unbeatable, but Melbourne is better than the rest.

For those who want to revive it : The Big Crash in Spa of 1998 !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vy5D-ylpgA&search=F1

( no one got hurt ! )

Albert Park ain't sustainable because it costs $30 million just to build the temporary grandstands for 80,000 people every year for a 4 day event. That is before you get to the other costs. You would be down $50 million in costs for 1 race before you even take a dollar in. Not forgetting the Melbourne GP gets nothing from tv money, has to PAY money to FOCA.

And we wonder why it costs $100 just for the "honour" of standing on a grass bank out on some back straight.

You'd be better off getting $100 million and building a superb track like Nurburgring, KL or Shanghai.

I'd hate to think what it has cost over the 11 years so far.

And we wonder why it costs $100 just for the "honour" of standing on a grass bank out on some back straight.

That WOULD be a wonder, thank god tickets dont cost anywhere near that much for adult general admission. And thank god so many people still love to go there. That many people would not travel out to the god forsaken outskirts of Meloburne to watch a race on a barren heartless track.

^^^^^^^^^^^

News flash: MOST people don't live in South Melbourne or Albert Park so a lot of people have to commute a fair way to get to the track anyway. Also: they get big crowds to Sandown for the 500 and a lot of people trek up to Bathurst up in woop-woop.

You have this track at Albert Park that cannot be used for the rest of the year. If you go to Calder or Sandown you can stage touring car races, junior races, drags, practice days, racing courses etc.. The place is making a return for the tax-payers investment. Not just a 3/4 day circus for a bill of 30 million bucks.

If a private business was bankrolling the event it would never, ever happen. They would build a facility.

^^^^^^^^^^^

News flash: MOST people don't live in South Melbourne or Albert Park so a lot of people have to commute a fair way to get to the track anyway. Also: they get big crowds to Sandown for the 500 and a lot of people trek up to Bathurst up in woop-woop.


But most of people can esily catch public transport to Flinder street station, cross the road and hop on a tram for a short ride directly to the Park.

And Sandown, nor any other track is F1 worthy. And the price of building one would be so high it blows you 'set-up the park cost' argument to shreds.

^^^^^^^^^

Your kidding. How the hell can you justify pissing away $30 million a year just to construct a temporary race track?

The only way they are getting away with it at the moment is because the state government is "sworn to secrecy by Bernie Ecclestone."

Long term, if we want to keep grand prix racing in Melbourne we need to build a track that will make a profit/surplus not a massive loss year in year out.

Has to be Monaco. Whenever I hear 'Monaco', I think of Formula 1.

Have you ever seen the section from after turn 10 leading up until turn 13? that is one of the great sections in F1 IMHO.
And its not just 90s L or R. The track takes bend (like between T10 and T11), then theres the tree shadows over the back sections which really bring back the art of racing which is just not seen in many of the pure racing circuits these days.


2nd if you dont count the "other" option which makes up a few different tracks. I'd say thas about right to, Monaco is unbeatable, but Melbourne is better than the rest.

You're right, turns 10-13 are amazing, and so is the high speed (i think) turn 5, though thats been made slightly easier by the new v8's.
But they are the only real highlights of the track.
How you can claim this to be the best (or 2nd best) track on the planet is beyond me. I'm as biased as the next guy, but im not blind enough to think Silverstone is the best f1 circuit in the world (though it would be up there once they update its facilities).

Istanbul Park !! :cheers:
http://images.motogp.com/multimedia2/431/431161_22773.jpg

^^Ooh nice view :yes:

Easily the best Tilke track.

And Istanbul Park is much greener now
and it is silly that Istanbul Park isnt at the poll

And Istanbul Park is much greener now
and it is silly that Istanbul Park isnt at the poll

Well it is not an established circuit yet. So it is under as "other".

Well it is not an established circuit yet. So it is under as "other".

Right, it takes years and years of smoke, treadmarks and crashes for a circuit to get itself a name :)

I think Spa definitely takes top prize. It's back next year thank god!

My favourites are Spa, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Silverstone and Monaco for it's beautiful setting although it's really boring.

The best......

Monaco
Belgium
Canadian
Brazilian

The Spanish GP in Barcelona yesterday was pretty dam boring! Apart from Monaco, it's probably the circuit with the least amount of overtaking oppertunities! It just makes for a very predictable race! Not impressed at all!

I don't like Formula 1 none too much. Anyway, heres a pic of an F1 accident:











http://i3.tinypic.com/zsu442.jpg

^^^^^^^^^

Your kidding. How the hell can you justify pissing away $30 million a year just to construct a temporary race track?

The only way they are getting away with it at the moment is because the state government is "sworn to secrecy by Bernie Ecclestone."

Long term, if we want to keep grand prix racing in Melbourne we need to build a track that will make a profit/surplus not a massive loss year in year out.

Then move it back to Adelaide. Melbourne seems to brag a lot about it, yet as you say with "a massive loss year in year out". Albert Park is a shitty circuit anyways, too narrow no overtaking action.

My favorites would have to be Spa and Istanbul. Beauties.

Yep Istanbul is the one for me too. I like the new tracks is asia a lot to, bahrein and china specialy. Malasia is very good to, but Istanbul with the long left corner (going in with 290, breaking to 230 and then building up to 305 k is just stunning!)
The old European tracks bring a lot of history with them, but a lot of races are just plane boring, naming Cataluna, Brittain, San Marino, Monaco, France and specialy Hungary. They might as well make the qualifing result the end result, because overtaking is allmost inposible at these tracks.
From the 'old' European circuits Spa/ Belgium is defuantly my favourite.

Then move it back to Adelaide. Melbourne seems to brag a lot about it, yet as you say with "a massive loss year in year out". Albert Park is a shitty circuit anyways, too narrow no overtaking action.

My favorites would have to be Spa and Istanbul. Beauties.

A Sydney-sider, now theres a non-biased opinion when it comes to discussing Melbourne and...anything


:jk:

Should one of us make a new poll which considers Istanbul Park,Shangai,Bahrain,Hungary,Japan and Brazil,too ?

yeah please do so, because Turkey is def. my favourite at this moment.

eh eemreee, Hungaroring you can exclude from that pole, because that will be 0% defuantly

Ok I will make a new one later :)

Vote please :)

For me,Sepang International Circuit,Malaysia...:cheers:
http://allmalaysia.info/attractions/archives/2003/6/44sepangcircuita.jpg

Guys I am sorry for ..... + ......
Because you know we can only have 15 section
Total F1 circuits are 19
So I could only do this one :(

Istanbul Park - Newest F1 Circuit :cheers:

http://images.motogp.com/multimedia2/431/431161_22773.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/dtm/2005/ist/dtm-2005-ist-tm-0252.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/gp2/2005/tur/gp2-2005-tur-tm-0328.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/tur/f1-2005-tur-tm-0817.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/tur/f1-2005-tur-xp-0593.jpg

Its like déjà vu all over again.

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT ! :D

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0209.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0113.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0111.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0112.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0603.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0161.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0114.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0848.jpg


more picture : http://www.motorsport.com/photos/select.asp?Y=2004&S=F1&E=Bahrain_GP



http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0162.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0125.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0126.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0133.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0139.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0105.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0107.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0605.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/111571076_97b7694fe1_o.jpg

For More Pictures:

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/select.asp?Y=2004&S=F1&E=Bahrain_GP

I hear all driver saying that Istanbul has an intresting track but all in one China wins!

Bahrain International Circuit :) it's very pretty and fabulous :banana2:

Yep have to agree with mess there, Shanghai is one whip ass circuit!

Istanbul Park - Newest F1 Circuit :cheers:
...
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/tur/f1-2005-tur-tm-0817.jpg


That shot isnt of the circuit, it was just a promotional bridge crossing (and might I say copied from Williams/Mark Webber's crossing of the Sydney Harbour Bridge)

http://www.sportgate.de/img/dpa/jpeg-1q295459-20050227-img_8242512.mittel.jpg

The one in Bahrain rocks!

Bahrein no doubt.

Turkey for sure, the long left corner is crazy!

MORE ON BAHRAIN CIRCUIT AND GRAND PRIX :D

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0576.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0448.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-1113.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0230.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0212.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0191.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0821.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0806.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0807.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0766.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0765.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0892.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0890.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-1088.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0312.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0228.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0575.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0358.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0283.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0404.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0215.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0257.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-tm-0686.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-1087.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0182.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0563.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0569.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0425.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0950.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-1119.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-tm-0205.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-tm-0174.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0101.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2005/bah/f1-2005-bah-xp-0148.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0593.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0594.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0806.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0255.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0812.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0837.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0934.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0930.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0249.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0254.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0252.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0955.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0913.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0902.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/bah/f1-2006-bah-xp-0904.jpg

1. Monaco
2. Spa, Belgium
3. Suzuka, Japan

The only 3 circuits I really like. They are a challenge to drive, have an interesting layout and lots of height differences. I really don't like the new generation of 'artifical' racetracks such as Magny Cours, Bahrain and Shanghai. They may have spectacular facilities, but the racetracks itself are pretty boring. If it was up to me I would introduce a lot more city races such as Monaco into the F1 schedule.

1. Monaco
2. Spa, Belgium
3. Suzuka, Japan

The only 3 circuits I really like. They are a challenge to drive, have an interesting layout and lots of height differences. I really don't like the new generation of 'artifical' racetracks such as Magny Cours, Bahrain and Shanghai. They may have spectacular facilities, but the racetracks itself are pretty boring. If it was up to me I would introduce a lot more city races such as Monaco into the F1 schedule.

Why do you like city races?, ofcourse the crashes are spectaculair, but to my opinion Monaco, except for the glimmer and gletter, is one of the most boring races of the year, there overtaking is furtuantly inpossible. As a driver it must be very challenging (man on my PS2 I go grazy on Monaco), but as a viewer I do not like it. But that just me I guess

BAHRAIN !!!!!

Japan + China + Bahrain ..

That shot isnt of the circuit, it was just a promotional bridge crossing (and might I say copied from Williams/Mark Webber's crossing of the Sydney Harbour Bridge)

http://www.sportgate.de/img/dpa/jpeg-1q295459-20050227-img_8242512.mittel.jpg
It is not copy my friend... because in Sydney they didn't pass to a continent from the other one ;)

It is not copy my friend... because in Sydney they didn't pass to a continent from the other one ;)

What, from the Sydney CBD to North Sydney doesnt count? ;)

For me, there is Spa - then everything else.

Bahrain
Suzuka
Shanghai
SURE!!!

Indy is the best it has the only banked curve in F1 and put drivers and machines to the limit.
Now talking from architecture i stil like Indy,but also Sepang.

Before it was redesing (Fu%%%ed) Hokkenheim was the best by far.

Now , im an F1 fan, so i have a different aproach than you guys.

http://www.selectmotorracing.com/circuit05_Bahrain.jpg

Indy is the best it has the only banked curve in F1 and put drivers and machines to the limit.
Now talking from architecture i stil like Indy,but also Sepang.

Before it was redesing (Fu%%%ed) Hokkenheim was the best by far.

Now , im an F1 fan, so i have a different aproach than you guys.

Indy the best F1 circuit? I've never heard that one before (and for good reason)

Bahrain International Circuit :)

Monteal, Canada (Gilles Villeneuve Circuit) is #1 BY FAR! I have been to 10 of the tracks and the atmosphere and setting is amazing. All of the teams and drivers love coming to Montreal (frequently voted their top destination)... WHY DOESN'T MONTREAL HAVE IT'S OWN VOTING SELECTION!!????? .. lumping it with USA takes away from it's votes for sure.

People really need to take the bias out of their views before voting in this.
The poll is currently a joke.

It would be good to see a "other than your own country, which F1 circuit is best" poll, of course you would still have people voting for their own.

It would be good to see a "other than your own country, which F1 circuit is best" poll, of course you would still have people voting for their own.

Well i am Dutch, So I don't have that problem (f..... hey)
So Istanbul it is,
(go Zandvoort!!! :cheers: )

http://static.flickr.com/28/94670768_f0c86d8aed_b.jpg

Everybody who has seen the race of today is crazy, or likes watching boats more then the race it self, when they are still voting Monaco as there favourite circuit.
Crazy. But that is just my opinion ofcourse (Crazy! what a bore)

Why?? This track is realy good. Not very fast, but it's in the center of the city, and that's amazing.
I also realy like the track in SPA, Nürburgring and the track in Malysia

Well I Love the circuit of Montecarlo but the race of this year was sooooooo boring !

[QUOTE=Castle_Bravo]Why?? This track is realy good.

Why? Overtaking is inpossible, qualifying might as well be the endresult

Hungaroring for me. I've seen many a classic race there.

Monaco leaves me cold because it's so difficult to overtake.

You can discuss your favourite F1 stands, but not your favourite F1 circuit. Any more off-topic talk and I might have to get the big bopper out!!

What's wrong with talking about the circuit themselves?

this thread can interpreted in so many different ways, favourite circuit can mean the actual circuit with the angle of turns, the number of turns, shape etc or others may vote for the surroundings and the buildings.

technically this poll is about the actual circuit not the backdrop of the circuit

Hungaroring for me. I've seen many a classic race there.

Monaco leaves me cold because it's so difficult to overtake.


No like it is possible to overtake in Hungaroring? :weirdo:
Cataluna, France, Hungaroring and Monaco they can skip for me, vale Monaco can stay because of the nice boats, but the rest
But okay, I guess I have got to respect otherones opinions, which is diffecult sometimes, yep I admit.
Let's get back to the favourite circuits and I'll try to shut up. Sometimes I just don't understand and I would like to understand... impossible

Adelaide Street Circuit.
Best F1 Track in history.

^^^^^^^^^

Your having a laugh! It is forgotten.

^^^^^^^^^

Your having a laugh! It is forgotten.
Maybe by you.
Lets not forget which Australian track the drivers like best. ;)

(Adelaide Street Circuit)

^^^^^^^^^

They are just being kind. Adelaide was just another track, nothing special.

The drivers talk about Spa, Monza, Indy, Hockenheim and Nurburgring and NEVER "Adelaide".

Spa and The ring are the best. Without a doubt.

Indy is meh to people who race in europe.

^^^^^^^^^

They are just being kind. Adelaide was just another track, nothing special.

The drivers talk about Spa, Monza, Indy, Hockenheim and Nurburgring and NEVER "Adelaide".
I never said they liked or talked about Adelaide.
I said which Aussie track did they like.

And they wernt being nice, there is no need to say such a comment at all. They decided to state there opinion which is clear.

But eh Adelaide? How long is that ago 10-15years? I can also say that Zandvoort is my favourite circuit because 30 years ago something like Formule 1 did there thing, but that is a long long time ago.
Adelaide is not a formule 1 circuit, it was a formule 1 circuit!

But eh Adelaide? How long is that ago 10-15years? I can also say that Zandvoort is my favourite circuit because 30 years ago something like Formule 1 did there thing, but that is a long long time ago.
Adelaide is not a formule 1 circuit, it was a formule 1 circuit!
1) It was 10 years ago.
2) I never said it still was an F1 Circuit. I said Best F1 Circuit in History.

It's history, get over it.

It's history, get over it.

:bash: That's not so easy man!!! it hurts. Specialy with a circuit like Zandvoort, the Netherlands. (after the race, b.b.q.ing on the beach, smoking some grass, man o man, it hurts)
But yep I have got (almost) over it. Still hoping though... man it hurts!
(specialy with circuits on the calander like Hungaruring, Magnecours, Cataluna, so boring !) damn it hurts!

It's history, get over it.
Its diffuclt when History is superior to the present.

Circuit de Monaco :rock:

Circuit de Monaco :rock:

Why o why Lord, Help me make understand that :weirdo:

I like Spa very much, Grand Prix of Monaco is very entertaining to watch, but the newest circuts like Bahrain or Shanghai are also great. But in this case history wins.

Maybe my favourite one in the future...
I don't have an idea about the timescale, but I believe it is nearby Madrid, Espana
check it out!
http://i6.tinypic.com/120ib0l.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/120iblc.jpg

http://i6.tinypic.com/120iey0.jpg

Yeah yeah I know, of topic again, but damn this is Starwars style!

Bahrain

Monaco
it's quite fun to see cars zooming past metal and glass buildings than through plain open fields

The Sepang F1 International Circuit is the venue used for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, A1 Grand Prix as well as the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix. It is also used as a venue for many other major motorsport events.

Widely regarded as a benchmark for other Grand Prix venues, the Sepang circuit boasts superb pit garage and media facilities, as well as impressive grandstands and patron amenities.

The leader board at the Sepang F1 Grand Prix circuitThe circuit was designed by renowned German designer Hermann Tilke, who would subsequently design the impressive new facilities in Shanghai, Bahrain and Turkey.

The main circuit, normally raced in a clockwise direction, is 5.54 kilometres long, and is noted for its sweeping corners and wide straights. The layout is quite unusual, with a very long back straight separated from the pit straight by just one very tight hairpin.

Other configurations of the Sepang circuit can also be used. The north circuit is also raced in a clockwise direction. It is basically the first half of the main circuit. The course turns back towards the pit straight after turn 6 and is 2.71 kilometres long in total.

The south circuit is the other half of the racecourse. The back straight of the main circuit becomes the pit straight when the south circuit is in use, and joins onto turn 8 of the main circuit to form a hairpin turn. Also run clockwise, this circuit is 2.61 km in length.

Sepang International Circuit also features kart racing and motocross facilities.

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Artistic Architecture

Sepang F1 Circuit is undoubtedly a landmark for the motoring fraternity. Malaysia has virtually set a minimum standard for future F1 circuits around the world, the general opinion of the motorsports world, with the construction of Malaysia's Home of Motorsports.

Sculptured on a 260 hectare oil palm plantation, Sepang F1 circuit sets records from the moment it had its earth-breaking ceremony. Built with the concept of a 'natural stadium', it required more than 9 million cubic meters of earth to be removed. To retain its scenic green, more than 5,000 palm trees were planted around the circuit. As time goes by, more trees were planted further adding to the beauty of the circuit.

The 5,543 meter long track features 15 corners and 8 straights including two high-speed stretches. With a minimum width of 16 meters, the track allows ample opportunities for overtaking, ensuring a suspenseful and thrilling race. The widest part of the track spreads up to 22 meters. The unique criterion of the circuit is that it can be split in to two circuits when required. The split circuits are situated on both sides of the circuit, the north side, and the south side with lengths of 2.8 km and 2.6 km respectively, thus allowing two races to run concurrently.

The track is built using a specially formulated bitumen compound, which is smooth and not to oabrasive to suit the Malaysian climate and year-round use. Smooth river stones were used for the gravel beds along the track.

When you first step foot at the circuit, you will pass through the Welcome Center, the gateway to the grandstand and the nerve center for the circuits administrative activities. Apart from housing offices, the Welcome Center also houses a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and an automotive museum.

The heart and focal point of the circuit is the Pit Building. Facing the main grandstand, all the racing facilities are housed here: 33 pits, race control center, time-keeping room, paddock clubs, and race management offices.

Each of the fully air-conditioned pit boxes are 8 meters wide, and 24 meters long. Each block of two pits has three air-conditioned offices equipped with telecommunication lines, team common room (team hospitality area), and a kitchen.

The exclusive paddock clubs on the first floor comes with their own parking and private access. For royal and VVIP guests, there is the Perdana Suite situated on the second floor of the pit building that can accommodate 250 people.

A landscaped mall area has been designed with the purpose of connecting the north and south grandstand to form the Main Grandstand area. In the main grandstand is the prime location for trade and vending, exhibition, food and beverage, amenities, and souvenir outlets during any racing event.

Sepang International Motor Racing Circuit, Malaysia

The Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang International Motor Racing circuit has established itself as a regular fixture on the F1 calendar.

This is mainly down to the Sepang International Circuit itself, which has been voted the world's 'most challenging' track by the drivers and is rated as one of the world's best.

Built at a cost of $120 million, the 5.542km (2.09-mile) 15-turn track is notable for an on-site shopping mall, a spectacular, double-sided grandstand capable of accommodating 30,000 spectators and a pit complex that consists of a 30-garage layout with pit boxes measuring a spacious 200m².

LOCATION

The Sepang Circuit is located 60km south of the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur and about 15km from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The circuit is linked to the city and the airport with an excellent dual highway system. Sepang was a very small and remote village until the construction of the $2.5 billion airport.
CIRCUIT DESIGN

Hermann Tilke of Tilke Engineering from Aachen, Germany designed the circuit working with local company Iktisas Ingenieurs.

The Sepang International Circuit consists of three circuits in one. The main racetrack is 5.542km with the South Track being 2.7km and the North Track 2.8km. The latter was the final one to be completed and hosted its first official race in July 2003.

One of the spectacular features of the circuit is the smooth and sweeping chicane capable of being negotiated at speeds in excess of 200kph. The fastest part of the circuit is the start/finish straight between turn 15 and turn 1.

The track features 15 corners and eight straights with a minimum width of 16m increasing to 25m in some parts, providing many overtaking opportunities. The circuit is covered by 27 closed circuit TV cameras via fibre optic cabling and includes on-line, real time tracking of race cars, combined with electronic marshal posts which will flash coloured lights to the drivers instead of flags.

World champion F1 driver, Michael Schumacher was consulted on the design of the track in his capacity as a member of the Formula One Drivers Safety Commission.

The Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix held during October 1999 was the first Formula 1 event in South East Asia. The Formula One Management (FOM) awarded the 'Best Grand Prix' to the circuit for that year.

It is the only circuit in the world allowed to incorporate the F1 logo into its official name.

The architecture of the Sepang complex blends modern technology with the Malaysian culture. In total, the track can accommodate some 130,000 spectators, with 30,000 in the unique double-fronted main grandstand whose roof resembles a banana leaf. Tilke introduced the first double frontage grandstand to be built at any racing circuit.

As the track has been built in a stadium-type location, with the track recessed in the valley, all spectators can see at least 50% of the circuit no matter where they sit.

The Canopy Tower, nestling at the tip of the V-shaped double grandstand, has a roof similar to the Malaysian national flower, the hibiscus. Seats here give a view of 70% of the track.

The two-storey pit building is one of the largest in the world, housing all the main facilities. There are 30 pits, including 12 offices for the FIA and administration, plus race control, time keeping, media centre and interview room plus photographers' room. There is also a medical centre including a small operating theatre to handle minor surgery.

Sepang Circuit has been designed to be environmentally friendly with the planting of a total of 5,000 palm oil trees and 4,000 coconut trees.

Near the main entrance there is a kart circuit built to international standards, and a permanent 4x4 off-road track nearly 10km long that can also be used as a rally stage.

A "Welcome Centre" is a pedestrian mall bridging the four-storey double -frontage grandstands and accommodating restaurants, bars, exhibition areas and retail outlets.

CONSTRUCTION

The 5.542km (3.443 mile) track was built in just 14 months by main contractor WCT Engineering on a 260ha former palm oil plantation near to Kuala Lumpa International Airport (KLIA), who own and manage the circuit.

The Malaysian Government requested KLIA to obtain the rights to host a Grand Prix, and subsequently build the circuit. A taskforce was then formed to ensure that the circuit project would run smoothly. Members of the taskforce went to Formula One circuits around the world to learn about the layout and organisation of a Grand Prix.

In December 1996, a masterplan was presented to the Prime Minister and soon after, work began. At its peak there was over 1,000 people working on the site. In December 1998, the circuit opened with its first race meeting, the Proton 300km Merdeka.

Two months later, it was also awarded a two-year licence for motorcycle racing, which culminated in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Over nine million cubic metres of earth were moved on the 115,000m² site during the construction.

Local company, Pakar International, constructed the wastewater treatment plant for the circuit.

PKNS Infra Berhad (PIB), a subsidiary of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) carried out the landscaping work throughout the circuit site.

PJIH provided the electrical HT/LV distribution system and high mast lighting for the racetrack along with the telephone system and external infrastructure works.

http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/sepang_mrc/images/sepang05.jpg
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http://sportsnet.com.au/images/Car_passing_grandstand.JPG
http://www.kualalumpur.gov.my/images/f1grandstand.jpg

Malaysian Grand Prix - selected driver quotes


19 March 2006




Giancarlo Fisichella converts his third Formula One pole into his third Formula One victory as Renault dominate at Sepang. Felipe Massa and Ralf Schumacher come from the back row to score points, while Kimi Raikkonen goes out on lap one after a tangle with Christian Klien. All the drivers explain their afternoons’ work…

Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault (1st):
“It was a perfect race for me, but it was very tough physically and mentally. It was really, really hot out there and I began to feel it from mid-race onwards. I knew it would be hard but there was no choice but to push all the way to the end. So I did. I didn't want to lose concentration in the last laps, and everything went well, the car and engine were perfect too. I am really so happy for this win. And I am especially pleased because I am dedicating the win to a friend who died last week, Pietro. To have my race engineer Alan Permane on the podium alongside me was special too. Thank you to the whole team, this is a brilliant result.”

Fernando Alonso, Renault (2nd):
“From my point of view, I think things could have been different without the problems in qualifying, but today was about making everything we could from P7 on the grid, and I think we did that. I got a great start, and managed to brake late into turn 1 to get the Williams round the outside. I knew Webber was lighter than me, and would have let him go if he had tried to pass, but we had the speed in spite of the heavy fuel load. After that, it was just a question of pushing and letting the strategy work itself out. I have a special feeling for this circuit, it is a fantastic track, and it has always been good to me. I am very pleased to have 18 points out of a possible 20 after only two races, and we are really looking forward to Melbourne.”

Jenson Button, Honda (3rd):
"I'm obviously pleased to see us back on the podium but it was the top step that we had in mind, so we are a little disappointed. We want to be winning races and today showed that we are in the fight, but there is still a lot of work to be done before we can achieve that target. Having said that, I was held up by traffic a few times, not least of all by Scott Speed before the second pitstop. Had that not happened, maybe I could have come out of the pits ahead of Alonso. Regardless of that though, we have two weeks and a test in Vallelunga to work through our issues and hopefully we can look forward to better things in Melbourne in two weeks' time."

Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren (4th):
“The car was good today and I think we had a solid race. We lost a lot of time in the first stint as my front tyres were graining, but as soon as we changed the tyres the car came back to life and if you look at my pace against Jenson Button later on it was pretty much the same. With the hot temperatures here we did have to look after the engine, which means that we had to sacrifice downforce, so finishing fourth is encouraging. We have scored some more points for the team and I think we look strong going into the next race.”

Felipe Massa, Ferrari (5th):
“I’m very pleased with this result and I would like to thank the team for an excellent job. To start from the last row and end up 5th is a good result. Our strategy worked well and I was able to make a good start. During the race I was able to push a bit more at the right moment knowing that during the other phases I would have needed to play more of a waiting game. I lost quite a bit of time behind some of the slower cars but when I had a free track I was able to improve my rhythm keep a good pace. It was a difficult race but finishing fifth gives me that extra bit of motivation for the next races where I hope to be able and compete with the front runners.”

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari (6th):
“We can accept this result, considering everything that has happened over the weekend. I don’t think that we could have achieved much more. On my second stint I wasn’t as quick as I was on my first and third one, so now we need to understand the reasons why. All things said and done, the race went basically as I had expected even if one always hopes for something more. During my first pit stop I had to wait a fraction of a second before going out because another car was coming down the pit lane. This was a wise decision from the safety point of view. During the closing stages of the race I was not able to get past Felipe because I just wasn’t fast enough and he didn’t make any mistakes. This track has always been one of the most difficult for us. Melbourne is a completely different circuit and I hope that it will be better suited to our 248 F1. Now I’m going to take a few days off with my wife Corinna before travelling on to Australia.”

Jacques Villeneuve, BMW Sauber (7th):
“I got held up early on behind Trulli, which was a pity because it cost me time, but once I had overtaken him it was just a question of running to the end. Physically it was an easier race than I had expected and I knew I should be in good shape mechanically because it was the first race for my engine. It was bad luck for Nick, but we’ve scored the points we should have taken in Bahrain so I am happy. The race pace was strong, so we need now to work on our qualifying.”

Ralf Schumacher, Toyota (8th):
"That was a very interesting race and it is obviously good news to have scored our first point of the year so we are very happy with today's result. We certainly could not have expected that with a three-stop race from the back of the grid. We are also happy that our times showed that we are again competitive. But it was a difficult race today and of course that does not mean that we have solved all our problems. We have the cooler weather of Melbourne next so we will be testing in Paul Ricard next week to be as prepared as possible for that. We hope to be able to keep up this level of pace at the coming races. We have to keep fighting and try to push for the podium again as soon as possible."

Jarno Trulli, Toyota (9th):
"I'm delighted that we scored a point with Ralf today. We should probably have finished with both cars in the points but it was really bad luck for me today. My afternoon got off to an unfortunate start when I suffered a broken diffuser when someone hit me from behind, just like in Hungary last year. That destroyed the rear of the car and that cost me today because I could have scored points. From then on I was suffering a mixture of oversteer and understeer and it was a big struggle so I just concentrated on driving as quickly as possible. We tried to adjust the car at the pit stops but obviously with the diffuser broken we could do very little. It's good that our pace has shown an improvement since Bahrain and we've gained some important data. We know we will succeed if we keep our heads down and work hard."

Rubens Barrichello, Honda (10th):
"It's certainly been an eventful weekend and it was disappointing to end it with a stop-go penalty when I was in with a chance of at least coming away with a few points. These past two races have been a bit of a learning curve but I'm sure things will pick up for the next few races and we can start to realise more of the car's potential."

Vitantonio Liuzzi, Toro Rosso (11th):
“It was a real pity that I had a tangle with another car on the first lap and had to lose time pitting for a new nose. Apart from that, the car was difficult to drive all through the race, as I was not happy with my brakes or the balance of the car, which meant I kept locking the inside front wheel, which was too light. I could not keep up a good pace and I also seemed to luck out with a load of blue flags. It’s been a race to forget so I’m already thinking about Melbourne.”

Christijan Albers, Midland (12th):
"We had bad luck with the start, because both Tiago and I ended up being held up for a few laps. Afterward, we got caught up in traffic, so that limited what we were able to do for the rest of the race. That part was unfortunate, but it was nice to finally run a full race without problems. My crew did a great job, and I think we can have an even better result in Australia in two weeks."

Tiago Monteiro, Midland (13th):
"It was kind of a tough race for me. I got stuck behind a couple of slower cars at the beginning, so I think my engineers made a good decision to bring me in early. I really felt I had the pace to get by them, but it was difficult because I was losing ground on the straight sections. I was also disappointed not to be able to put in any quick laps on my fresh tyres because of all the traffic, but that's the way it goes, I guess. We pitted early a second time, which was another good decision, and was able to put in some good laps during that stint. But my race position was pretty much set by that point. I can't say I'm very excited to finish 13th, but in any case, I'd like to congratulate the team on a job well done: the pit stops were quick and clean, and we had good reliability."

Takuma Sato, Super Aguri (14th):
“Great team work has meant that we have been able to improve on our pitstops since Bahrain and as a result I lost no time and was able to get back into the race and actually challenge a few cars. Of course we struggle on the high downforce corners with our pace, but I had another exciting race and at least we managed to finish the race once again. We still have a lot of hard work to do if we are to catch up to our nearest rivals, but we showed good teamwork today and I am very happy and proud of the team.”

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber (DNF):
“I hoped we would be faster than we were in qualifying but I didn’t expect us to be so good. I could keep pace with the McLaren and was quicker than either of the Ferraris. I made a superb start and gained places straight away. After that I had a trouble-free race apart from delays with blue flags which made lapping backmarkers difficult. After my second pit stop it was pretty close between Felipe and I in Turn 1, but I was able to stay ahead of him. The engine failure came without warning. Fifth place would have been brilliant for us, it’s a real shame.”

Scott Speed, Toro Rosso (DNF):
“I did not get off the line too well, because of the way we had the system set up. It’s too bad that I did not finish the race because this was the track where we expected to struggle the most. We were overgripped aerodynamically, but me and my engineer got the set-up about right in the end. After a poor qualifying, we ended up doing a good job, showing decent pace and having a good track position. It’s a shame, but I think we can come back stronger in Melbourne, as this place was never going to suit us.”

Yuji Ide, Super Aguri (DNF):
“The balance of the car was not good from the start and I had the same mechanical problem as I had in Bahrain. The problem got worse as I continued the race and gradually the car's pace got slower and I could not accelerate on the straight, then I stopped. I really wanted to finish the race, so my goal is to finish the race in Australia and then move on from there.”

Christian Klien, Red Bull (DNF):
“The start was okay, I was in a good place, then in Turn four there were three cars (me and the two McLarens) going into it. I was right on the inside, already over the kerbs. I couldn’t go further to the right and mine and Kimi’s cars touched. I broke my front suspension and that was basically it. I went to the pits and we tried to fix it just to get some more mileage on the car. We went out once more, but then we had a hydraulics failure and that was the end of the race. It’s very disappointing, if you look at the race pace I think we could have been right up there.”

Mark Webber, Williams (DNF):
“My start wasn’t too bad, but Fernando’s was phenomenal. He closed up really quickly from behind me and passed me. This was a shame because it prevented us from running at our own pace. The hydraulic problem came on as I was on the start-finish line. My engineers confirmed it was terminal, so we had to stop. I am off to Australia tonight and I am really looking forward to seeing my family that I haven’t seen for a long time, so naturally I’m looking forward to my home race in a fortnight.”

David Coulthard, Red Bull (DNF):
“I lost hydraulic pressure in the car, which meant I had no power assistance going into the chicane. With that alone your afternoon’s going to be difficult, but as the gearbox is controlled by the hydraulics as well, I became stuck in sixth gear. Once you lose the ability to change gear you’ve no chance, so unfortunately we had to retire the car. The start of the race was good, I got up behind Michael, I had a long strategy, felt reasonably comfortable, was quick in areas where you could overtake and slow in the bits where you were following people, and I think we could have had easy points today. We’re still learning a lot about this car. We lost a lot of winter testing because of the cooling issues, but basically I think the car has good pace, I’m just trying to find a set up that’s suitable for me. I feel a lot more confident in the car this weekend so the future is encouraging – the car is definitely capable of scoring points in Grands Prix.”

Nico Rosberg, Williams (DNF):
“What happened today was a shame because I was going quite well, even if I had lost a couple of places at the start due to wheelspin and also at the first corner where I could have been maybe a bit more aggressive, but after my experience in Bahrain, I just wanted to be careful. Nevertheless, I still thought I could have a good race. But just a few seconds before my engine gave up, I felt there was something wrong with it. It’s really unfortunate because I would have loved to finish the race, but that’s the way it is and I can’t change that. I’ll now have a couple of days of holiday and look forward to the race in Australia.”

Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren (DNF):
“I am very disappointed because I had a great car set-up and very good race strategy. I think it was fairly obvious that Christian Klien made a pretty fundamental mistake and ran into the back of me at turn five, breaking my rear suspension in the process. A positive side, the team has had good race reliability in the first two races and I am already looking forward to Melbourne in two weeks."

Scott Speed’s Malaysian Grand Prix diary


21 March 2006







It seems American rookie Scott Speed is already settling into life as a Formula One globetrotter. After a solid debut in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Toro Rosso driver headed directly for round two...

“I left the circuit in Bahrain immediately after all the interviews, changed, grabbed the bags and was off to the airport and flew to Dubai,” California native Speed said. “I spent the night there, got up early in the morning for a delayed flight - I really could have slept a lot more! - and went directly to Malaysia.”

The first night in Malaysia, Speed and team members of Scuderia Toro Rosso went sightseeing in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Later, Speed reflected on his first Grand Prix.

“Doing your first Grand Prix is an incredible experience,” he said. “There are so many things you learn in one race that it is really hard to soak it all in. But we have had time to go back with the engineers and go over everything that has happened, and we are going to make a few big improvements for this weekend.”

Training for the intense heat and high humidity in Malaysia was next on Speed’s agenda. The temperature was in the 30- to 40-degree range each day while the humidity was anywhere from 55 to 90 percent.

“Our bikes arrived a little bit late,” he said, “so I was only able to ride them Thursday. Normally we would do cycling, so we were doing some cross-training with some tennis and running.”

He also took time out on Thursday, March 16 to get his first lap around the Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit.

“It is a fantastic track,” he said. “I went around the circuit this morning on my bicycle. It looks like a circuit where you have some options to use some different lines, while Bahrain is more of a straight up circuit that you can’t really experiment on.”

On Friday, March 17, the first day of practice, Speed posted the 19th-quickest time.

“We did not show everything we had because we ran quite early on new tires,” he said, “but we got more done on our race balance than some others. Race balance-wise, there are a few question marks, but we are looking good.

“It is an intense track. It must be amazing for a spectator to watch turns 5 and 6, because it is almost flat in sixth gear, and on the limit in both corners. It is an amazing set of corners.”

The heat and the humidity meant drivers had a gruelling time in the cockpits of their cars.

“It is going to be really hot in the race,” Speed said on Friday, “but I think practice is worse because when you come into the pits your body gets a heat soak, and the more temperature your body carries the more your physical condition goes down dramatically. So it is going to be about making your temperatures as reasonably as possible. Physically I have had no problems.”

Speed set the 17th-fastest time during Saturday’s first round of qualifying, which meant that he missed - by one spot - the chance to move up into the second round. But because five drivers were penalized for engine changes, Speed lined up 12th for the race.

“We did not do anything wrong in terms of my strategy for tackling the qualifying session,” he said. “But I had traffic on both my quick laps. Basically, we have not shown good pace here since the start of the weekend, and that shows up most in qualifying. In terms of aerodynamics, we are losing out down the straight, but that is partly due to the (engine) restriction we run under to comply with the rules.”

He was running in 11th place when the clutch lever behind the steering wheel failed on Lap 42 of the 56-lap race.

“I did not get off the line too well, because of the way we had the system set up,” he said. “It’s too bad that I did not finish the race because this was the track where we expected to struggle the most. We were over-gripped aerodynamically, but me and my engineer got the setup about right in the end.

“After a poor qualifying, we ended up doing a good job, showing decent pace and having a good track position. It’s a shame, but I think we can come back stronger in Melbourne, as this place was never going to suit us.”

Following the race, Speed, team mate Tonio Liuzzi and the Toro Rosso engineers met for a long technical debrief on the weekend.

You guys should watch this week's race

Istanbul 25/26/27 August :D

yeah, should be good, hopefully Schumi can sustain his form, and Alonso will continue to struggle. And the circuit is fantastic, and I heard that the drivers all love it

looking at the poll, I think a lot of people that know nothing about Formula one voted here.
Bahrein ahead of SPA and Albert Park????

Bahrein's Track is beautiful, but if what you like is racing, Bahrain is the worst of the newest tracks. And Bahrein is FAR worst than SPA or Albert park.

I just hope this year the Cheater (Michael) doesn't win again. Without FIA's help, Renault had't take out their dampers (loosing 4 seconds per lap). Renault asked to fia if their dampers were legan and FIA said yes, so I don't understand why FIA came out with this crap now.

My top3:

1-SPA
2-Albert Park
3-Monza

man you are a traditional , but with choice 1 and 3 I can live. Bahrein mop beats Albert park...

from this list best are spa, imola, monza and monaco.
worst are sepang, istanbul, shanghai, sakhir and modern heckenheim - ie tilke's work.

in whole best circuits was
nordschleife, spa original, monza, kyalami original, monaco, hockenheim original etc

Bahrain :)

wasnt greece meant to get a grand prix circuit?

no

Spa is the best.

^ amen ;)

Spa is not a formula 1 circuit

hahahaha, but it is the greatest circuit of all!!!

But in that way you could count Zandvoort too?

from this list best are spa, imola, monza and monaco.
worst are sepang, istanbul, shanghai, sakhir and modern heckenheim - ie tilke's work.

in whole best circuits was
nordschleife, spa original, monza, kyalami original, monaco, hockenheim original etc

If you say Istanbul and Bahrain have one of the worst circuits
I'm sorry but you know nothing about F1 and F1 Circuits

What's the thing that you dislike about Istanbul Park ?

If you say Istanbul and Bahrain have one of the worst circuits
I'm sorry but you know nothing about F1 and F1 Circuits

What's the thing that you dislike about Istanbul Park ?

Man don't worry, One of his favourites is Imola, says enough doesn't it?
Istanbul is one crazy circuit. crazy left corner, I love it,
Like everyone I guess played alot on the PS2, favourites on that one Istanbul and Malasia. Those two are great to play/race

Best F1 circuit:
Adelaide...

http://www.autoracing1.com/images/Trackmaps/Adelaide.jpg

Video of Senna 1991 lap
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-374168851044770073&q=senna+adelaide

eemreee, indeed people that like tilke's 'tracks' know nothing about F1.


all his works are just pieces of shit. huge empty places with too wide and slow tracks. these are not circuits, but just military fields...

/\ I'm starting to think that you've never seen Istanbul Park,you should see and watch the sunday race

http://www.msoistanbul.com/v3/images/vrtour_map.jpg

eemreee, i have seen and many times. as i said it's just too wide and slow road on empty place.

Is Istanbul really slow ?
Last year Average was 219,496 km/h

and Topspeed was 332 km/h
It isn't an old track
so its quite normal that it is wide etc
But on the other hand the drivers risk here more
because they know that beside the track there is nor sand or a wall

16m+ is not normal.

332kmph for the track of such length is not ok as well. plus 332kmph on the 24m wide straight (plus at least 10m on sides) is like 120kmph on the 12m wide straight. instabul track is a piece of shit like most of other tilke works, like sakhir, sepang and shanghai.

it's a shame that f1 going from good, intersting, excellent circuits, that could be just a bit upgraded to make them more safe, although it's not so necessary, to some shitty places like new showdromes and millitary fields... :sleepy:

Istanbul is Tilke's best work, i like the track.
However the rest of his circuits have been very bland, no charcter to them, just average tracks with superb facilities, granstand etc. What he did to Hockenheim was a sin.

Turkish Grand Prix - driver preview quotes


23 August 2006




They’ve enjoyed the break, but now it’s time to get back to business. The Formula One drivers return to the cockpit this weekend for the second running of the Turkish Grand Prix, staged at one of the most thrilling venues on the calendar, Istanbul Park…

Ralf Schumacher, Toyota
2005 Qualifying - 9th, 2005 Race - 12th
"The Istanbul Park is an exciting, challenging circuit and something completely different to what we have seen with many modern tracks. There is a good mix of corners and the hills are unusual on today's calendar. The track surface is very smooth, there are big run-off areas and the facilities are good too. We should go to Turkey looking to come away with a good finish. We've continued to improve our performance as the season has gone on and apart from the problems we suffered in Hungary we have been fast at the last few races. We haven't brought home as many good results as we would have liked but the trend is clearly on its way up. The team has turned our situation around and it's a very good job that they have done. Now we have to build on that and come away with more points over the last few races."

Jarno Trulli, Toyota
2005 Qualifying - 5th, 2005 Race - 6th
"Toyota has made big steps forward in recent races and Bridgestone have also done a good job with the tyres. We could have achieved more in terms of results so we need to keep pushing for reliability. But our pace has improved thanks to the hard work of our technical team so I'm confident that we do well in Turkey. Lots of drivers were really impressed with the Istanbul Park circuit but it's not among my personal favourites. It is not the most difficult track we race on and it has only one really hard corner. That is a long left-hander which combines three corners together and is taken nearly flat in fourth or fifth gear. It is a quick and very challenging set of corners. The rest of the lap is relatively simple - although it runs anti-clockwise so the pressures on the neck are the opposite from usual. With all the progress we have made and another step due for Turkey we should aim to bring home another strong result on Sunday."

Mark Webber, Williams
2005 Qualifying - 7th, 2005 Race - DNF
“I’m certainly looking forward to getting back in the car after the break and it’s good to be resuming the season in Turkey as last year’s inaugural Grand Prix was a great hit with fans and drivers alike. It’s a track that provides a good challenge for the driver as it has a great mixture of straights, corners, crests and hills. Istanbul is also a fantastic city to spend a few days in prior to the race and hopefully I will be able to explore some more of the historic sites. Last year, we visited the World War I graves at Gallipoli, which was a very moving experience.

“It’s hard to predict how competitive we’ll be next weekend but I hope we’ll have an uneventful raceday so we can demonstrate our potential to run strongly towards the front. Obviously there hasn’t been any testing during the break, but the boys at the factory have been working hard so we should be well prepared as we head into the final part of the season.”

Nico Rosberg, Williams
2005 Qualifying - NA, 2005 Race - NA
“I hope things will change for the team because luck just hasn’t been on our side recently. Our car has definitely shown progress in recent races, particularly in Magny-Cours and at Hockenheim where we really made some good steps forward, so I hope this carries through. We haven’t been able to test before Turkey but I know the guys in the factory have been working really hard. I’ve had a great break between the two races, catching up with friends and just relaxing. As for Turkey, it’s a great track. I did ok there last year in GP2, my car broke while I was in the lead in the first race but I then came from last through to 3rd despite the rain in the 2nd race. Overall, I just hope we have a good race this weekend because everyone deserves it.”

Rubens Barrichello, Honda
2005 Qualifying - 11th, 2005 Race - 10th
"It was good to visit Turkey for the first time last year. The circuit is fantastic and I was really impressed by the facilities and the layout. The undulations of the track make it very exciting and challenging from a driver's viewpoint and there are some good overtaking opportunities. It is also quite tough physically and we're expecting the race to be run in hot temperatures so it was important to keep training between the races, although the break has been good to recharge and get ready for this weekend. We showed a real improvement in Germany and Hungary so although we have done no testing prior to this race, we will be hoping to carry this performance forward to Turkey."

Jenson Button, Honda
2005 Qualifying - 13th, 2005 Race - 5th
"It feels like it's been a complete whirlwind since our first win together two weeks ago but now that I've had the chance to celebrate properly and a week or so of rest and relaxation, I'm ready to get back in the car again and make the most of the remaining five races. There have been some very special moments over the past couple of weeks and I'll remember those for ever but it's time now to crack on with the Turkish Grand Prix and the rest of the season. In Hungary, everything came together for us when it counted and it has given the whole team renewed motivation. We never doubted our potential but now we know we are winners. There are likely to be challenging times again over the coming races but our car is well-suited to the Istanbul Park Circuit and we are capable of a good result there. I really enjoyed the circuit last year and had a good race so I'm looking forward to the weekend."

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
2005 Qualifying - 6th, 2005 Race - DNF
“The Turkish Grand Prix brings to mind first and foremost the traffic chaos you have to battle your way through to get from the circuit into town and vice-versa. Last year I hired a mobile home to be able to sleep at the track, although the city of Istanbul is really beautiful and has a lot of attractions.

“It is possible to overtake on the new track, which is positive. It has a really long straight and a very fast and difficult corner with several apexes. That’s turn 8, which I’m really looking forward to. From slow to high-speed turns, Istanbul has everything. My third place in Hungary was a brilliant result for our young team. I hope we get some good results in Istanbul as well.”

Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber
2005 Qualifying - NA, 2005 Race - NA
“Of course I am very much looking forward to my second Formula One race. After the Hungarian Grand Prix I was not too happy about my driving because I made some mistakes. But on the other hand I saw under these conditions others made mistakes too, and I was also able to show some good driving. However, I learnt a lot in Hungary and this will help for the next grand prix. I have never raced in Istanbul; actually, I have never been to Istanbul at all. I watched last year’s race on TV and I appreciated the layout of the track that provides overtaking opportunities, which always make for good racing.

“I have the impression that in Turkey the interest in F1 is increasing, as is the case in Poland now. Things change as soon as people have a relation to the sport - either due to a Grand Prix or a driver."

Tiago Monteiro, Midland
2005 Qualifying - 14th, 2005 Race - 15th
"Istanbul levels the playing field a bit between all the drivers in Formula One, because it's still relatively new. It's a fantastic circuit - definitely my kind of track - and the only place where I have as much experience as any of the older drivers. I had a reasonable race here last year and enjoy the city, as well, so I'm looking forward to a good weekend. I've had a good break since Hungary, and taking part in the street demonstration in Rotterdam was a fantastic way to gear back up for racing. The team has been busy working on developments to the car, so I am keen to get back on the track and see what we can do."

Christijan Albers, Midland
2005 Qualifying - 15th, 2005 Race - DNF
"I've had a pretty busy break since Hungary but the highlight was definitely the Bavaria City Racing event in Rotterdam! It was amazing to take the M16 around the city streets and to drive in front of so many of my fans. There was a great atmosphere in the city and the team put on such a fantastic show. The rest of the time I spent working on my fitness and preparing for the remaining five races of the season, which will include some very challenging circuits. Istanbul will be a good place to match ourselves to our rivals and I hope that our developments will have further improved our position."

Giorgio Mondini, third driver, Midland
2005 Qualifying - NA, 2005 Race - NA
"It will be good to get back in the car, as I haven`t filled the Friday driver role since Indianapolis. Istanbul is a new track, so I won`t feel too disadvantaged having to learn the circuit. There are some technical sections and a variety of gradients to handle, but I feel I am up to the challenge. The team still has a lot to learn about the set-up required there, so the Friday role will be as important as ever. As usual, I`m really looking forward to it."

Takuma Sato, Super Aguri
2005 Qualifying - 20th, 2005 Race - 9th
“I stayed in Europe for the summer break - chilling and enjoying spending time with my family. I am extremely excited about the Turkish Grand Prix because we will have a further aero update for the SA06 to complete our new car package. We have not been able to test the car during the break so we shall have to see how it performs when we reach Turkey this week. Istanbul Park is one of the most interesting circuits on the F1 calendar because it has got a unique layout - long, high-speed corners; a challenging technical section and an undulating track with good overtaking opportunity . The new car package should improve our performance through the medium to high-speed corners which require efficient aero dynamics, so I am very much looking forward to challenge at the Turkish Grand Prix.”

Sakon Yamamoto, Super Aguri
2005 Qualifying - NA, 2005 Race - NA
“During the break I returned to Japan and relaxed with my family and friends. I am excited by the prospect of driving the SA06 with the new aero package. When the rear suspension and gearbox package was introduced in Germany I could really feel the difference. I am confident the new additions will also be a big improvement. It is the first time I will visit Turkey and I will prepare for the race carefully. I look forward to meeting Turkish F1 fans and experiencing the culture.”

Fernando Alonso, Renault
2005 Qualifying - 3rd, 2005 Race - 2nd
“Istanbul Park is a very wide, modern circuit and there are plenty of overtaking opportunities. Parts of it are like a classic circuit such as Spa. It features some special corners as well, which are blind when you go into them, so it's quite different to what we normally find on a new track. And of course, there is turn 8, which is a very long left-hander where we will probably be flat out with the V8 this year, with lateral loadings of 4G. It's a fun circuit, and this will be one of the season's important races. This type of circuit suits our car, and Michelin will bring good tyres. So we need to concentrate on our job, put the package together and make no mistakes. Then let's see what the race brings!”

Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault
2005 Qualifying - 2nd, 2005 Race - 4th
“I like Istanbul Park a lot to be honest. It is one of the new generation circuits, and I felt comfortable straight away last year when I started running there. I started from the front row as well, and the car felt pretty good. I am confident we can be competitive in Turkey this year. There are some good corners and turn 8 is certainly the hardest on the whole circuit. It's a very long left-hander that we take at nearly 250 km/h. We have between 4 and 4.5G on our bodies for about 7 seconds - which means that your neck is hurting by the end of the race! So you need good physical preparation for this race, maybe even more than the last few races.”

Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren
2005 Qualifying - 1st, 2005 Race - 1st
“Although it is great for the team to have the short break, I am looking forward to getting back to racing, particularly as we are in Turkey this time out. The Istanbul Speed Park is a terrific circuit, it is demanding on the cars, but great fun to drive, with lots of different types of corner, some straights and elevation changes. All the ups and downs of the track don’t really affect the set up; they just make it more interesting to drive. There are some chances to overtake, a couple of examples are into the first corner, which I found to my cost last year, and along the long stretch that takes you into the low speed turn 12. The corner that everyone was talking about after last year’s race was the double apex left of 7/8. I think it was bumpier than we expected, and because it is such a long, fast corner if you don’t get the line exactly right or lift or accelerate at the wrong moment you will get bounced off the circuit. We exit the turn flat out at 310km/h, and it is vital to have been able to get to this speed as it takes you onto one of the short straights at the back of the track. I took the maiden pole and victory at the Istanbul Speed Park last year, and it would be fantastic to repeat it in 2006. The car again felt strong in Hungary and we had good pace, so we will all be pushing hard towards this.”

Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren
2005 Qualifying - NA, 2005 Race - NA
“I cannot wait to race at the Istanbul Speed Park, it is a fantastic track, I had a lot of fun driving it in my role as Friday driver last year. It is however quite precise from a set-up perspective, although this year we of course have data about the track before we arrive. It was awesome to get the podium at the Hungaroring and my aim is now of course to get one step higher. Along with Imola and Interlagos, the track runs anticlockwise and another key factor is the bumps. These have an influence on set-up, mostly for aero, and as a result we will run with less front wing than at tracks with a smoother characteristic such as Magny-Cours. However a compromise has to be found, because we also want a lot of front end for turn 8 in particular, as it is such a long corner onto a straight, and you need the speed, but if you have too much the car will pick up over the bumps and throw the back of the car out.”

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2005 Qualifying - 19th, 2005 Race - DNF
"I think things are looking good. We recall well how Magny-Cours was demanding and how at Hockenheim we dominated. There was also the race at the Hungaroring where, leaving aside the weather, things went our way (though the race showed how decisive a role the weather can play). Overall, it is tough to predict the relative strength of the teams as they alter according to the track. I think that we should be competitive at the weekend. After all, our potential is as high as ever."

What he did to Hockenheim was a sin.

I didn't want to go back through all the pages of text, so I don't know if the quoted comment had been said before....but I totally agree with it.

Hockenheim was one of the coolest tracks back when it went miles into the woods. It was great for the same reason Spa is great. The alterations made were awful, it is now a course like any of the new ones....China, Bahrain, Malaysia, they're all the same.....they don't have that unique feeling that others good. Just look at the aerial photo, it says enough. Great facilities does not mean great racing.

Also anyone who chose Hungaroring for this should be whipped, lol. 1 spot to pass on the course makes race day pretty dull.

Turkey is not a bad course, it has 4 points where they go over 300 km per hour, top 326 km per hour, they have one bad ass left corner they go in with 230 km/h and leave with 305 km/h. not exectly a boring circuit MOP.

thanks skaP187
as we can see the majority of the drivers like the track

Because of its a new one its so wide IMO??!!

I quess so! If you have to make one anyway, do it right!

majority who like are not real fans of f1. just some fans of shumi, alonso etc. they don't know what is f1, they don't know what is f1 spirit etc etc etc

@dougtheengineer
absolutely!

I agree with what was said about Hockenheim. As I said previously, I choose Spa.

Crash at the beginning of Spa 1998, one of the best races of modern times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SlPiSh3U4g

(English commentary / Crash starts at 46 seconds)

Schumacher and Coulthard collide in 1998, resulting in a confrontation between the two in the pits, later in the race:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2s2W-JfAUI

^^
Went for Spa for it embodies the F1 spirit (ahhh the Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge :cheers: )

Cancelling Spa from the calendar is another sin of modern F1.

Monaco for sure :)

wasnt greece meant to get a grand prix circuit?
It was Russia and India who want a GP, although there aren't anything official.

I don't like Bahrain, but Istambul is a different thing. Istambul is the best work of that guy in recent years.

There were planns for a wicked circuit in Madrid, there are planns for a GP in Valencia too, kind o'Monaco stylo along the newly build harbour for the america's cup, we'll see.

It was Russia and India who want a GP, although there aren't anything official.
Russia want to return GP of course. Last GP was 91 years ago before communists. And there was official negotiations with Ecclestone. But unfortunately without positive result. Moscow Government and Ecclestone are weren't able to divide incomes in 2001. There are some tracks are planned in Russia that will be ready for F1 (hope not Tilke's work). Russia is in priority list of F1. Plus if not to forget rumors about agreement between Putin, Ecclestone and Blair - London get Olympic games and Russia get F1.

Monaco, Belgium, Turkey and Bahrain.

Have to go with CIRCUIT GILLE VILLENUEVE in MONTREAL, CANADA.

second, Monaco.

Monaco, Belgium, Turkey and Bahrain.

Are you sure? I can't imagine people who can like both absolutely different type of tracks - classic circuits like Monte-Carlo and Spa and rubbish autodromes like Istanbul and Sakhir. Even look at a poll. There are two absolutely distinct groups - one is f1 racing fans and second is modern fans of some branded drivers and that looking on f1 like on just a show.

Don't categorize the U.S Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix together. Both are completely different. THe Canadian GP is on a Race island and has was designed for Formula 1 wayy back. The U.S Grand Prix is new to f1 and is not that great of a f1 track considering it is designed for Indy Racing League (Indy 500) and is an oval track.

^^^ Well, I think i am a bit biased on that. :). Anyways, Monaco, and Belgium. Monaco, what could be more beautiful than racing by the coast and a beautiful historical town? Belgium is like driving in a European countryside. Awesome circuits. Many tracks still need a lot of improvements in their landscapes.

majority who like are not real fans of f1. just some fans of shumi, alonso etc. they don't know what is f1, they don't know what is f1 spirit etc etc etc

@dougtheengineer
absolutely!

So you are a fake fan or??? I presume you are f1 pilot no? man you re full of it!

i'm indeed fan of f1.

Are you sure? I can't imagine people who can like both absolutely different type of tracks - classic circuits like Monte-Carlo and Spa and rubbish autodromes like Istanbul and Sakhir. Even look at a poll. There are two absolutely distinct groups - one is f1 racing fans and second is modern fans of some branded drivers and that looking on f1 like on just a show.

You told your opinion,right?You told us you didn't like Istanbul Park,Shanghai... So,why are you still trying to change people mind ? What the hell are you making these people hate Istanbul Park,Shanghai etc... ?

Even the changes Tilke has made to Monaco have taken something from the track. It's easier to drive than it was 10 years ago. (That and the cars being easier to drive, but hey, that's a different argument.)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/Malaysiagprix.png/200px-Malaysiagprix.png

Capacity 80 000
Built 1999
Laps 56
Circuit length 5.54 km (3.44 miles)
Race length 310.41 km (192.88 miles)

KLIA & Sepang F1 circuit
By M Radzi Desa of airliners.net

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8777/0406621fn4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice pictures. :) ^^

alonso champioon

There's only one true F1 race that's different from the others:

Monaco!


http://www.f1-tickets.co.uk/images/penthouse-lg.jpg

http://www.justinwilson.co.uk/images/Galleries/2003/Monaco/2003%20Monaco%20F1%20Minardi%2017.JPG

http://www.justinwilson.co.uk/images/Galleries/2003/Monaco/2003%20Monaco%20F1%20Minardi%2010.JPG

http://www.astsports.com.au/files/M_racing/Monaco%20turn.jpg

http://www.mcrcmonaco.com/images/vuepanoport.jpg

http://www.thegrandprixclub.com/Monaco%20aerial.jpg

Best F1 circuit:
Adelaide...

http://www.autoracing1.com/images/Trackmaps/Adelaide.jpg

Video of Senna 1991 lap
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-374168851044770073&q=senna+adelaide

Indeed.

Like: Silverstone, Imola, Monaco
Detest: Bahrain, China, Turkey

I am a McLaren fan, as my dad works for them.

How can anyone who claims they are a serious F1 fan not like Turkey? It is the first truly decent new track we have had in over a decade and you idiots are putting it in with the other recent drivel purely because it is new.
I'm not talking about stands and surroundings here, i'm talking about the track itself and the quality of the racing. Turkey has had more overtaking in two seasons than Hungary has had in its existence (wet races excluded).
My top 3
Spa (back for next year)
Turkey
Suzuka (R.I.P)

I can't believe Bahrain has all these votes, can anyone explain why?

Big F1 fan here...my top 3: (in order)
1. Spa
2. Suzuka
3. Monte Carlo

I dont really like the new tilke designed tracks lately...they dont have awesome elevation changes like their predecessors and have similar track dynamics throughout. IMHO, circuits that follow the topography are heaps better than computer designed ones. Out of the new tracks, Turkey is an improvement...but still not on par with the classics.
It also irritates me that Fuji is replacing Suzuka....all because of Toyota's money. Fans, drivers, etc will mostly agree that Suzuka has a more challenging and entertaining layout.

Old Fuji was good. But they have rebuilt it recently so it looks like "modern" shitty autodromes now...

my faves

1. Spa
2. China
3. Sepang

I can't believe Bahrain has all these votes, can anyone explain why?

i think those are votes of some driver's fanatics... not of f1 fans...
i can't believe also that imola+monza have so small number of votes...

i think those are votes of some driver's fanatics... not of f1 fans...
i can't believe also that imola+monza have so small number of votes...

Imola I understand because it stands garanty for a boring race... (despite history and stuff) Well Monza is a great circuit ofcourse, but maybe it suffers under the fact that you can only choose one favourite?

The drivers rate Albert Park in Melbourne Australia as their favorite track.

@auslankan
they don't

@skaP187
You have voted only for Istanbul. It says enough. You are not really a fan of Grand Prix, but of some driver, don't you?

Yep I have voted Istanbul Park, great track.
Considering the term real fan, I watch every race, also when the time is not that relaxed, (Japan, Malasia, China). I gues you can't call me a real fan because I like football more, but some friends of mine are (you know the tipes that look up all great cars on the internet and start jurking off... yep some kind of friends but a'right). These guys gave me some of the fever, but I still don't jurk of on a Ferari or something.
Look you can look at a circuit at two ways. Historicly or which circuits produce the best races. Look Monaco great history, but the qualifying result might as well be the end result, it is plain boring. If there are cars who are a good match for eachother then Isatanbul park is a great track. a lot of points where you can take over, a crazy long high speed left corner and super modern. yep I like it!
is that good enough explenation for you?

The drivers rate Albert Park in Melbourne Australia as their favorite track.
Spa and Suzaka are the most populair among the drivers. That are two of my favorite tracks. I am not a big fan of the modern circuits designed by Hermann Tilke.

Spa all the way

Spa

spa. Love to see the cars go up eau rouge(sp?)

Old Fuji was good. But they have rebuilt it recently so it looks like "modern" shitty autodromes now...

I agree...Fuji was a good track until Tilke touched it. but even then, Suzuka has always been better.

Tilke's modern circuits lack character and challenging corners like eau rouge, 130R, parabolica, etc... Turkey's turn 8 is a step in the right direction though.

I think the circuits should be more hilly too, which make them much more exciting. The new ones all look flat, just like hungaroring and magny-cours btw.

Maybe a new F1 circuit in Andorra?:D

All the new circuits are rubbish, on half of them you can't even over take. The best one is Monaco by a country mile.

Spa without a doubt. Dry on one side, wet on the other. Only the best drivers win on that one.

;10268444']Indeed.

Some pics:

The f1 God himself!
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/4804
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/4802
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/4803

The rescently retired Schumacher from a different angle..
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/1646
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/5038
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/5036
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/4481
http://b.f1-facts.com/ul/a/2078

I think the circuits should be more hilly too, which make them much more exciting. The new ones all look flat, just like hungaroring and magny-cours btw.

Maybe a new F1 circuit in Andorra?:D

You are write about the tracks should be more hilly, always cool not beeing able to see where you have to go with 200+ km/h

Definetle Spa, the best circuit there is.

Eau Rouge :yes:

Monaco, is by far the Greatest, and renowned. The set up and backdrop is just something else.

P.

Monaco is history and history alone in my opinion. Now a days it has nothing to do with F1 racing, the races are boring. Still it is great to watch but more because of the circus around it then the race itself. I know this is swearing in a church but that's the way I think about it.
To be clear i do not think they should not race anymore in Monaco, therefor it is too much a tradition.

This one would be nice...
http://i12.tinypic.com/2mzfl78.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/312v1p5.jpg
They have planns for it (about 100 years now) near Madrid, Spain

Looks good. I wish they could build it sooner. We need a different F1 venue for Spain.

I vote for BIC

All the new circuits are rubbish, on half of them you can't even over take. The best one is Monaco by a country mile.

That's a bit of a contradiction there Andy, given that Monaco is practically impossible to overtake on.

All the new circuits are rubbish, on half of them you can't even over take. The best one is Monaco by a country mile.

The new circuits have been designed to have a lot of places with big chances to overtake. Havn't they?

Spa. Obviously.

http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/visite/images/003.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2002/2002gpf1/03samedi/images/DSC_2686.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2002/2002gpf1/03samedi/images/DSC_2697.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2002/2002gpf1/04dimanche/images/DSC_2996.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2002/2002gpf1/04dimanche/images/DSC_3001.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/gallery/galgirls/images/girls16.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2002/2002gpf1/03samedi/images/DSC_1821.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2002/2002gpf1/03samedi/images/DSC_2704.jpg
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/visite/images/004.jpg

Spa. No doubt about it.

I voted for Monaco because of its obvious history but as a race track its sadly lacking in just about everything. Speed, space, safety, overtaking etc.

Realistically I would have to say Spa, the OLD Hockenhiem, the OLD Nurburgring, Silverstone before it was butchered, Watkins Glen, Paul Ricard and the chicane-less Monza.

But above all, Adelaide. Hey, I can love my own city's circuit if I want to.

spa was great. but they have finished it. it was completely killed finally last year. blanchimont and the bus stop was ruined now completely...

start/finish straight as well, afaik...

old spa
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old kyalami
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old hockenheim. it was a crime to kill it.
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old silverstone
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Spa. Never a dull race in Spa, nice scenery, nice circuit, ...
I'm not too sure about the recent changes, but let's hope it's a change for the better. It's a bit of history that got changed, but I don't think that's such tragedy. As long as the Eau Rouge remains such a challenging turn, all is fine :)

Spa has always been many driver's favourite as it - more than usual - depends on the driver's skills how well he will perform. It took a long time until drivers could take the Eau Rouge flat out and with upcoming regulations on downforce it will probably become extremely hard to keep taking it flat out.

I would've chosen Monaco as well, but it would just be for the history and extremely nice setting. The race itself is usually not that special.

Bahrain... meh... Nice that they managed to make a F1 circuit in the desert, but its not that challenging.

Turkey? It often looks like a collection of other circuit's curves. Especially that one on the hill that looks *so* much like the Eau Rouge (recently found out some people call it the "Faux Rouge" :lol: ). Only the 8th turn is special to see.

- Greetz Glodenox

^sadly spa was rebuilt last year into modern autodrome, so it's not so nice like before. there is nothing special now, except of it classic length - 7km.

INTERLAGOS,BRASIL

Check the new circuit in Valencia Spain for the next F1 Season!!!!

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Bahrain.

The podium and the shape of the circuit looks amaaaazing !

http://f1.informativos.telecinco.es/imgsed/valencia_070604_525.jpg

http://www.sport.es/vivo/recursos/fotos/foto_222150_CAS.jpg

I don´t know how to put a youtube video in the thread so check this link to see the New circuit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdagOjuXKr8

bahrain, sepang and new circuit abu dhabi is built by the same company..WCT Engineering of Malaysia

bahrain, sepang and new circuit abu dhabi is built by the same company..WCT Engineering of Malaysia

designed by the same person, Herman Tilke

correct me if im wrong

Spa-Francorchamps , naturally !

Why are the US and Canadian circuits, lumped together?

Montreal is magnificent where as Indy is nothing special.

My vote goes to spa

They are rebuilding, but they choose te built the new stands and pitlane in the same style as the old ones. I don't really like what they have done with the bus-stop-chicane but when you look at the old FI-pit you can't say that this isn't an improvment.

http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2007/070711testf1/images/BLD_2498.jpg

http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2007/070711testf1/images/BLD_2396.jpg

http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2007/070711testf1/images/BLD_2608.jpg

http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2007/070609btcs-belcar/belcar/images/BMT_7453.jpg

I look like Spa Circuit and Shanghai International Circuit

Spa : difficult road!!
SIC : beautiful!!

I think vote : Spa!! :cheers:

I love the atmosphere of Bahrains´s international.

But the course I still prefere Monte Carlo.

A like to watch the races in Istambul as well

To be done by 2011 to host 2011 Grand Prix....:banana::banana:




http://assets.pakwheels.com/forums/2010/attachments/Wheels-Fan-Clubs/58562--Formula-1----Season-2010---2951.jpg

http://assets.pakwheels.com/forums/2010/attachments/Wheels-Fan-Clubs/58564--Formula-1----Season-2010---2953.jpg

http://assets.pakwheels.com/forums/2010/attachments/Wheels-Fan-Clubs/58563--Formula-1----Season-2010---2952.jpg

http://assets.pakwheels.com/forums/2010/attachments/Wheels-Fan-Clubs/58565--Formula-1----Season-2010---2954.jpg

http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/circuit-plan.jpg

large ones...
http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/paddock.jpg

http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/grid.jpg

http://joesaward.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/pitlane.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8863/img0572q.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/736/img0573u.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9053/img0576r.jpg



Actual F1 site...leveling work has been done....
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1363/img0584k.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9109/img0585s.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4171/img0587n.jpg

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http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9548/img0592u.jpg

City Profile...

Greater Noida (GN) (Hindi: नोएडा (Nōēḍā)) is located in the Gautam Budh Nagar district of the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). It is under the purview of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. It is located about 40-kilometre (25 mi) south-east of New Delhi and about 20-kilometre (12 mi) south-east of Noida, one of the largest industrial townships in Asia.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/899/greaternoida14ym.jpg

http://gbnagar.nic.in/images/map_01.jpg

http://www.delhicapital.com/images/greater-noida.gif

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9640/greaternoida2magestom2sti6.jpg

Greater NOida expressway...
http://newzstreet.com/noida/files/2009/11/gr-noida-xprssway.jpg

it is well connected to DELHI with number of highways expressways and train and metro system....

2011 Grand Prix India: Details of Formula 1 Racing Track at Noida

Yet another masterpiece by the legendary track designer Hermann Tilke is getting ready for its solo race next year 32 Km outside the national capital.

The Formula 1 track in Greater Noida is designed to be 5.1 Km long and contains 16 corners. The cars are expected to lap at an average speed of 210 kmph around. The track is one of the fastest in the world, with the cars reaching 320 kmph in the main straight before braking into turn 4.

The designers have taken inputs from the teams’ simulator test runs for refining their track layout and have put the data into good use by modifying turn turn 7 and turn 3 to increase overtaking opportunities.

The state of the art curved roof grand stand, located near turn 10 and 11, has a capacity of 30,000 people bringing the total capacity of the track to a staggering 1,20,000.

With Karun coming into F1 and an Indian team – Force India F1 showing some great racing on the track, organizers feel that filling up the seats wont’ be a major task for them.

Track boss Mark Hughes said “Karun’s presence on the F1 grid has certainly whipped up a lot of interest in India. The feedback from the teams has also been very encouraging and we hope the race will speak for itself.”


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Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix to be held in October 2011 at Jaypee Greater Noida

When Bernie gave the thumbs up for the Indian GP to be held in 2011, after years of speculation first with the location and then with meddling from the Govt. of India, who effectively stated that F1 isn’t a sport, there were cheers from the organizers and fans alike.

The organizers are going to be a consortium called JPSK Sports, which is owned by the Jaypee Group. They are investing a sum close to $350 Mill. The track is coming up at a location 35k’s outside Delhi in Greater Noida and it is called Sports City. So, anyone who is in the region please snoop around and get some pics please. (We Will not be held responsible for you being caught trespassing, of course. But we will be glad to give you credit for trying! ) The complex will also house a 100,000 seating cricket stadium! (No surprises there).

Coming to the matter of interest, the Vice President of JPSK Sports, who have signed a 10-year deal to host the event, explained and stated, “We fully expect the race to go ahead next October. We expect to complete construction by July 2011 and, once the FIA (F1 governing body) has given its approval, we can finalize training for marshals, track officials and medical staff in time for an October race.”

The track is being designed by F1 architect Hermann Tilke, who is effectively the father of modern F1 circuits. He has designed circuits such as Sepang, Shanghai, the Yas Marina, Sakhir Intl in Bahrain, Turkey, Valencia and Korea! The Indian venue should allow a capacity crowd of 120,000.

The track is supposed to be around 5.5 kilometers in length and is expected to have the second fastest average speed of any circuit on the calendar behind Monza! Wow, now that is something to definitely look forward to. Considering that the world’s best designers in Hermann Tilke and his No. 2 Mark Hughes are at the helm of things, we can definitely hope to get the circuit in mint condition by the proposed date. But the task of training Paramedics and Race Marshals is something on a different level altogether. This is when petrol heads who want to be part of something big, and who know something about F1 other than Ferrari and Schumacher should rise and be counted.

So, let us start counting down to hearing the roar of those magnificent V8’s and let’s drown them in the sound of the foghorns!

I guess the circuit is ok.The Indian GP is a move to win a large fan base,considering Formula 1 already has Force India and Chandhok.

I don't like the twisty part. Rest of the track is okay :)

What kind of number is 1,50,000? Is 1,050,000? or 150,000?

What kind of number is 1,50,000? Is 1,050,000? or 150,000?
the latter one....its 1 lakh(100 thousand) and 50,000

That's a helluva big complex.

great project

Looks good :yes:

a stadium of 100,000 capacity is also coming up with a karting zone,golf corse and horse racing track!...