Ever-Changing Needs
F1's calendar has shifted with its needs. While some circuits became obsolete and disappeared, others remain despite their flaws. Let’s check out the ones that fall under the first category.
Kyalami
Political tension pushed Kyalami off the map, and sanctions against apartheid-era South Africa made sponsors and teams wary. After hosting its last GP in 1993, the circuit faded from F1. Its return has long been rumored, but funding gaps and global scrutiny have stalled progress.
Adelaide Street Circuit
Adelaide closed its chapter with a dramatic 1995 finale. The tight, unforgiving layout had delivered chaos and title deciders. But Melbourne's bid offered better logistics and bigger crowds. Victoria secured the switch, and since 1996, Australia's GP has belonged to Albert Park.
Muzzamo (talk), Wikimedia Commons
Brands Hatch
Despite its charm and British heritage, Brands Hatch couldn't meet evolving FIA safety standards. It last hosted a Grand Prix in 1986. Infrastructure limitations and spatial constraints made modernization unfeasible. Silverstone's upgrades cemented its status as Britain's permanent home for F1.
Estoril
Estoril offered high-speed drama and title deciders but fell behind. FIA's mid-90s mandates required expanded pit lanes and revised corners. Portugal couldn't meet the upgrades in time. After 1996, Estoril was dropped and replaced by circuits with stronger backing and better facilities.
Aida (Pacific GP)
F1 gambled on a second Japanese race in 1994, deep in Okayama Prefecture. But Aida's remote setting meant costly travel and barely 20,000 fans showed up. Senna's final win here did not stop logistical hurdles from burying its future. The Pacific GP vanished after 1995.
Buenos Aires (Autodromo Juan Y Oscar Galvez)
The 1998 Argentine Grand Prix marked the end of a turbulent era. With inflation soaring and government support collapsing, the track couldn't meet F1 standards. Global sponsors also withdrew. And, what once hosted Fangio's brilliance could no longer afford modern motorsport.
Horacio Villalobos, Getty Images
Zolder
Zolder quietly exited the F1 calendar in 1984, unable to meet the sport's growing safety demands. The shadow of Gilles Villeneuve's 1982 death never fully lifted. When Spa returned, redesigned, and renewed, it replaced Zolder's legacy with modern credibility.
Paul Hermans, Wikimedia Commons
Phoenix Street Circuit
Sweltering desert heat and uninspiring track design plagued Phoenix from the start. Even Ayrton Senna's brilliance couldn't lift the venue's fortunes. In just three years, the city's grip on F1 faded. By 1991, the championship had shifted its sights elsewhere.
Paul Dubbelman, Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach
Promoters shifted to IndyCar in 1984 to seek better financial returns as F1 costs climbed. The transition proved successful. Long Beach, once dubbed the "Monaco of the West" for its glamour and challenge, remains a racing staple, just not on the Formula One calendar anymore.
CCWSF1 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Magny-Cours
Despite a few memorable races, poor infrastructure and low tourist engagement eventually closed Magny-Cours in 2008. The rural Nievre location lacked international appeal. France had hoped decentralizing from Paris in 1991 would help, but a viable replacement never followed.
Mic from Reading - Berkshire (UK), United Kingdom, Wikimedia Commons
Donington Park
Ayrton Senna's wet-weather masterclass in 1993 is Donington's enduring legacy. That lone Grand Prix was a highlight, but plans for a permanent return fell apart. A 2010 comeback failed when redevelopment funds collapsed. Donington remained active but not on F1's increasingly high-stakes calendar.
Imola (Pre-2006 Layout)
Senna and Ratzenberger's deaths at Imola in 1994 forced sweeping safety changes. Tamburello was reprofiled, and chicanes were added. Though the circuit stayed until 2006, its classic flow was lost. Imola returned in 2020 with a much-altered layout and a new identity.
Istanbul Park
Turn eight made Istanbul famous among drivers, but state support dried up after 2011. The Turkish government declined to subsidize the event. Despite its popularity, the circuit exited. It briefly returned during COVID reshuffling, but a permanent F1 home never followed.
Homonihilis, Wikimedia Commons
Valencia Street Circuit
Spain's financial crisis ended Valencia's brief F1 stint after only five races. The 2012 race offered rare excitement, but most others lacked energy. Though its marina backdrop promised glamour, the layout made overtaking nearly impossible, and thus, the racing was disappointingly flat.
Fuji Speedway
Heavy rain in 2007 turned the Fuji race into a visibility nightmare, with safety cars leading much of the event. Toyota, the circuit's owner, pulled out of F1 entirely by 2009. The Japanese Grand Prix returned to Suzuka in 2009 to replace Fuji as the host.
Pedralbes
In 1951 and 1954, F1 raced through Barcelona's Pedralbes district. The wide, flat layout was popular until the 1955 Le Mans disaster changed motorsport forever. With rising fears over urban safety, Pedralbes was dropped and never revived for Grand Prix competition.
Patrick Smith, Wikimedia Commons
Sebring
America's F1 debut came at Sebring in 1959. Drivers complained about the bumpy runway layout, and fans barely filled the stands. The venue was judged unsuitable for the series' future. F1 shifted to Riverside in 1960, abandoning the airfield for good.
Patrick Smith, Wikimedia Commons
AVUS
The Berlin-based AVUS circuit was more like a speedway than a road course. In 1959, its banked northern turn caused dangerously high G-forces. Coupled with a fatal crash during that race, AVUS was never used again in Formula One history.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Caesars Palace Parking Lot
Conducted in 1981 and 1982, the Caesars Palace Grand Prix took place in a parking lot in Las Vegas. The twist-heavy course caused driver exhaustion in the desert heat. Sure, there was media hype, but poor racing and a lack of identity ended the event quickly.
Iconotheque of the Academy of Architecture, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rouen-Les-Essarts
Located deep in the forests of Normandy, Rouen was praised for its fast downhill sweepers and sharp elevation changes. But by the late 1960s, safety standards outgrew their charm. Lacking runoffs and modern barriers, the once beautiful track was deemed too dangerous for Formula One.
F1 2021 Rouen-Les-Essarts | Pierre Gasly Onboard | Assetto Corsa by Mitsos
Nurburgring Nordschleife
Lauda's near-fatal crash in 1976 changed everything. The 14.2-mile loop was thrilling but outdated, with blind crests and minimal runoff. After the accident, F1 deemed it too dangerous by shifting German Grands Prix to Hockenheim. The Nordschleife now lives on through endurance racing, not F1.
Lothar Spurzem, Wikimedia Commons
Pescara
Pescara still holds the record for the longest F1 circuit at 16 miles. In 1957, Formula One tried running through coastal hills and town streets. However, the roads were too narrow, and the logistics were unmanageable, which prevented any future Grand Prix there.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Yas Marina Circuit
We now shift gears to circuits that are active but face mounting criticism, starting with the Yas Marina. This one leads the list even after hosting several season finales between 2010 and 2020. The issue is just that it rarely delivered drama. A 2021 redesign aimed to fix overtaking issues but made little difference.
JiteshJagadish, Wikimedia Commons
Shanghai International Circuit (China)
After a five-year hiatus, Shanghai's 2024 Grand Prix returned with 53 overtakes, the season's highest. Despite this, critics highlight the track's long straights and tight corners as limiting overtaking opportunities. Its distance from central Shanghai and reliance on government funding raise questions about its long-term viability.
Formulax~commonswiki, Wikimedia Commons
Monaco
Only one overtake was recorded during the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, which underscored the layout's limitations. Today's cars are too wide and quick for the tight city circuit. Monaco still exudes prestige, but tradition alone can't mask the fact that racing has moved on.
United Autosports, Wikimedia Commons
Paul Ricard
The return of Paul Ricard in 2018 came with promise, but by 2022, the French GP had grown stale. Its wide blue-striped runoffs disoriented drivers and fans alike. With just five overtakes after lap one, excitement was lost in its technical sprawl.
Circuit Paul Ricard (France) Track Visit - Circuit Tour 2017 by Circuits of the past
Jeddah Street Circuit
At night, Jeddah dazzles. But beneath the lights, speed meets risk. Multiple red flags since 2021 and blind, high-speed corners have left drivers uneasy. Though it's spectacular on TV, many call it unsafe and unsustainable for a long-term Formula One calendar presence.
Hungaroring
Hungaroring was once a novelty in Eastern Europe. Today, overtaking is rare—three passes occurred after lap ten in 2023. Its tight layout, designed for 1980s machinery, doesn't suit modern F1 cars. Critics now call it Monaco without walls, and the nickname sticks.
Singapore (Marina Bay)
"Crashgate" cast a long shadow over Singapore's first race in 2008 by setting an uneasy precedent. While the skyline still dazzles, the racing often disappoints. Long runtimes and frequent safety cars stretch the night race to its limits, which drains energy despite the spectacle.
Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons
Miami International Autodrome
Launched in 2022 amid heavy fanfare, Miami's fake marina became a meme. The track surface drew early complaints, and races delivered little on-track action. With minimal overtakes and maximum awkward corners, its glamor-first approach hasn't yet translated to memorable competition.
Baku City Circuit
Baku offers chaos more than craft. The 2021 race alone featured four safety cars and two major crashes. Tight castle sections invite mistakes, while restarts often overshadow strategy. Its unpredictability entertains, but questions persist about whether luck plays too large a role.
President.az, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Circuit De Catalunya (Barcelona)
Known for pre-season testing, Barcelona has become too familiar. Drivers know every bump, and teams arrive over-prepared. This predictability has flattened excitement. Overtakes are rare, and in recent years, the Spanish Grand Prix often blends into the background of the F1 calendar.
Mutari 10:51, 21 September 2007 (UTC), Wikimedia Commons
Hockenheim (Shortened)
Though still serviceable, Hockenheim no longer stirs the emotions that once defined the German Grand Prix. Its earlier version, pre-2002, thundered through forests and rewarded bravery. The current layout is safer and more compact, but that evolution dulled the spectacle it was once famous for.
Justin LaBerge, Wikimedia Commons
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Canada)
Montreal's iconic track faced scrutiny during the 2024 Grand Prix when Sergio Perez crashed at Turn 6 by leaving debris across the circuit. The incident led to approximately a $28,000 fine for Red Bull and a three-place grid penalty for Perez, which exposed infrastructure and safety issues.
Losail (Qatar)
Originally designed for MotoGP, Losail was adapted for F1 in 2021. But the flat layout and dusty surface have limited drama. Braking zones are sparse, and off-line grip is minimal. The circuit functions, but few would call it an essential stop on the tour.
Dmitry Racer, Wikimedia Commons
Las Vegas (2023 Version)
F1 returned to Las Vegas in 2023 with lights and a damaged maintenance hole cover. The opening session was halted within minutes, which fueled criticism. While the Strip setting dazzled, the racing lacked soul. And although drivers stayed diplomatic, fans questioned their long-term value.
F1 2023 LAS VEGAS GP Preview - Las Vegas Strip Circuit | Assetto Corsa by SimRacingWithHandicap502
Mexico City (Hermanos Rodriguez)
Cars slow dramatically through the Foro Sol stadium section by interrupting the circuit's rhythm. High altitude and dirty air also limit attacks into Turn 1. Mexico's roaring crowd delivers unmatched energy, but the layout's design leaves overtaking chances few and far between.
(WT-en) Fabz at English Wikivoyage, Wikimedia Commons
Austin (COTA)
Bumps at COTA have become a recurring complaint. In 2022 and 2023, drivers voiced concern over surface quality and tire stress. Once hailed for its flowing layout, the Texas track now teeters between needing repairs and risking its place in the long term.
Zandvoort
Zandvoort roared back in 2021 with an electric Dutch crowd. But wheel-to-wheel racing is another story. Just seven passes happened after lap five in 2023. The tight layout and aero sensitivity make it spectacular to watch but frustratingly processional.
kevinmcgill from Den Bosch, Netherlands, Wikimedia Commons
Interlagos
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos is now secured through 2030 after a five-year extension announced in 2023. While its racing moments remain iconic, concerns over weather and political instability continue to doubt its long-term role in the sport.
Spa-Francorchamps
Ongoing weather problems at Spa forced regulatory changes after the 2021 fiasco. That year, fans waited hours in heavy rain to witness just one official lap behind the safety car. It became the shortest Grand Prix in history and a moment Formula One had to fix.
Silverstone
Silverstone has battled financial strain since 2010. A 10-year contract extension secures it through 2034, but rising ticket prices now raise accessibility concerns. It remains iconic, but some question whether escalating costs could one day edge it off the calendar.
Officially Mr X at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Monza
In 2023, DRS couldn't close the 10-second gaps that formed between cars at Monza. Even after efforts to extend overtaking zones, the results remained disappointing. The Temple of Speed still holds prestige, but its racing spectacle can't keep pace with today's aerodynamic-heavy era.
Bahrain International Circuit
Max Verstappen led every lap of the 2024 season opener in Bahrain, which exposed the circuit's processional nature. Despite its excellent facilities, the track layout often limits drama. Bahrain usually kicks off the season, but critics believe that it needs to change to revive early excitement.
