May 13th, 1950, is the day the world held its breath. The emblematic Silverstone Circuit hosted the first-ever Formula 1 World Championship race, won by Guiseppe Farina while driving an Alfa Romeo.
From the very get-go, Grand Prix racing was controlled by automobile manufacturers under the supervision of the FIA, which creates a level playing field for competitors and ensures the sport is as safe as possible.
F1 is the pinnacle of the motorsport formula ladder. Drivers go so fast that they’re actively fighting against G-forces, so they must have incredible physical strength to compete in a race.
It’s cool to like Formula 1 because people are talking about it, so it’s not a niche thing anymore. Whether you like Max Verstappen, renowned as the bad sportsman, or Lewis Hamilton, who broke the color barrier, there’s a place in Formula 1’s starting grid for you.
Keeping tabs on the sport is an integral tenet of fandom, so diversify your F1 news sources, set up alerts, and participate in community discussions. If you’re a true Formula 1 fan, watching the blistering battles on TV can’t compare to watching live and in person.
It’s great cheering with others who love racing as much as you do. If you’re looking to catch the race live, there’s much to look forward to. These are the best Grand Prix circuits every F1 fan should see.
Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas
The massive influx of fans, traceable to documentaries like Netflix’s Drive to Survive, has driven interest in racing in the States.
Unquestionably one of the most highly anticipated racing events, the Las Vegas Grand Prix goes through the city’s heart, incorporating some of its finest attractions, including the popular Strip. Organizers host the Las Vegas Strip Street Circuit early in the morning to avoid weather-related issues.
It features 17 turns and slides past culturally rich landmarks like the Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, and the Venetian. Race-goers can kickstart their adventure with a visit to the casino, drinks at a rooftop bar, or late-night shopping.
Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Imola
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix became the laughing stock of fans, teams, and journalists in 2023, ridiculed for its lengthy name –Gran Premio del Made in Italy e dell’Emilia-Romagna.
Lewis Hamilton used the classic Phoebe and Joe meme, where Phoebe attempts to teach Joey the full name by making him repeat words after her.
The race occurs at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, commonly called Imola, a race track with a fascinating history. It will be forever tainted by the tragedies of 1994, which encouraged significant revisions to its layout.
Ayrton Senna, regarded as one of F1’s greatest drivers, died in a high-speed accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the Imola Circuit. He ran off the road after a couple of laps, hitting the Tamburello wall.
The day before, Roland Ratzenberger passed away when his car crashed during qualifications for the race. The events at Imola took the racing world by storm and forced immediate changes in car and circuit design.
Formula 1 continued racing at Imola, but the San Marino Grand Prix was abandoned until facility improvements were made. It returned to the race calendar in 2020 with a new title honoring the Italian region.
Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park
The Australian Grand Prix draws hordes of people to the Albert Park Circuit, which uses everyday sections of road that surround Albert Park Lake, just south of the Central Business District of Melbourne.
The event is jam-packed with live practice and qualifier and racing events, delivering high-speed action. The chicane at Turns 9 and 10 has been eliminated, creating the longest straight on the circuit and a new DRS zone, where drivers are allowed to use the system.
Many drivers have stood out as masters of this circuit, such as Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel.
British Grand Prix, Silverstone
And now, let’s get back to where it all started. Against the countless layout changes over the years, the Silverstone Circuit has maintained its reputation as one of the fastest tracks on the Formula 1 calendar, so you need the bravest drivers here.
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The actual race is a blur, and most of the time, you can’t follow what’s happening, but the atmosphere around the track is enough to recommend going at least once.
Offering an amazing, panoramic view, the Becketts grandstand is definitely the best place to watch the action – you can see how the drivers rocket through Maggots and Becketts.
It’s close to the Club Silverstone enclosure, an exclusive VIP area designed with pure racing fanatics in mind. Fight and velocity are incorporated into the design of the Silverstone Circuit.
It can be loud being close to the track, so hearing protection should be worn at all times because the days can be very long. Make sure to pick up a map of the site, which is handed out free. There are lots of places to buy souvenirs, but they frequently carry a hefty price tag.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku
Although it has 90-degree corners, Azerbaijan’s Baku City Circuit is really fast, with cars reaching speeds of 349 km/h down the 2.22-kilometer-long main straight.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix stands out for many reasons, including the stunning location that features a mix of traditional and modern architecture and, above all, friendly people.
F1 first raced on the streets of Baku in 2016 when the event was referred to as the European Grand Prix. The trickiest part of the circuit runs around the medieval walls of Baku, as the castle section is very narrow and super long.