When it comes to speed sports, they don’t get bigger than Formula One. The sport has become overly popular in many parts across the world since the inaugural race in 1951. For cities and places with the privilege of hosting these races, the thrill of watching from the spectator stands is incomparable. To get a slice of the action, many people travel from different places to witness the drivers race down to the wire. To share the experience to a broader audience, the races are broadcast live on television and through online streaming. This makes certain you do miss a piece of the action; from Brazil to Abu Dhabi, Monaco to Australia.
The typical formula one racing calendar comprises of at least 20 races in a single season spread across various tracks. The tracks could be different in length, but they are all world-class. They also pose different challenges to the drivers making the races even more exciting. In this article, read about some Grand Prix thriller races in the Formula One racing calendar.
Australian Grand Prix
Hosted in the Australian city of Melbourne, the Australian Grand Prix inaugural race took place in 1996. The track meanders around Alberts Park posing a testing challenge to drivers in some sections due to the slippery rubber surface and tricky corners. For the spectators stand, the Waite Stand and the Brabham Grandstand gives a vantage position to watch the race.
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco track is one of the oldest and famously treacherous Formula One stomping ground with one commentator describing the narrow circuit as similar to riding a bicycle in your living room. The Monaco circuit measures approximately 3.4 Kilometres with the race distance measuring 260 Kilometres. Drivers take a total of 78 laps. The first Grand Prix in Monaco was held in 1950 with consecutive races taking place every year since 1955. For a spectacular view of the track, Grandstands L, B and P offer the best view of the cars racing through the narrow and tight chicanes.
The Great Britain Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix is held at the Silverstone circuit, one of the most iconic Formula One tracks. Silverstone holds the pride of place for having hosted the first Grand Prix in 1950. The track, built in 1942, was initially constructed as a road around the Royal Air Force airfield, has a circuit length of 5.9 Kilometres and a race distance of 306 kilometres. Drivers race through the track 52 times, the total number of laps. The circuit has some tricky sections, particularly the Maggots and Abbey corners. Planning to watch from a vantage point? Try the Becketts and the Stowe grandstands. Here you will witness the drivers mindboggling manoeuvres and overtaking stunts that will leave you stunned.
Japan Grand Prix
The Suzuka Racing Course is the host of the Japanese Grand Prix. Constructed in 1962 as a test track for Honda cars, the Suzuka course has a race distance of 307 Kilometres with drivers taking 53 laps. The circuit length measures 5.8 Kilometres. The first Japanese Grand Prix was hosted at Suzuka in 1987, seemingly belatedly for an auto nation of Japan’s stature. It has however served memorable moments in the F1 racing calendar such as the Prost and Senna duel. For a spectacular view, book your spot at the D, I and E grandstands.