Alex Holowczak's Top Auto Racing Track Ratings 2007
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So, after the 2006 list, I decided to continue the idea into 2007. And this year, it's all change in terms of the formula for calculating the best tracks.
To refresh your memories, last year I concluded that Spa Francorchamps and Suzuka were almost of equal quality, and that planned improvements to both will determine the outcome in 2007. I went for Spa at Number 1 last year. Let's see if it can win again in 2007.
Music
I added this in last year because it dragged on forever... And it will again this year!
So, here are the two most famous Formula One introductions on British television. The first song was used on the BBC between 1976 and 1996. It is "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac. The second has been used on ITV's coverage since 2006. It is "Lift me Up" by Moby. I know which one I prefer, I'll leave you to decide which you think is the better of the two.
Stats are all changed!
I used a variety of different criteria, but I changed it this year, to make it more AGM relevant (keep reading...) and give a fairer reflection of their actual positions.
Here are the criteria:
- Safety (25) - the most important part of modern Motor Racing.
- Facilities (20) - it's no good having a great track if you don't have a pitlane, or it takes about 3 hours to get into the circuit.
- Racing (20) - is it a processional circuit, or can you actually get past the guy infront?
- History (10) - a track with a great history of racing always holds it in high regard.
- O!F (25) - some circuits hold the rave reviews of the drivers, but some are hated. The tracks that make the drivers excited score well here.
In the event of a tie, the breakers are O!F, then safety.
The Rankings
So here are the rankings of the top circuits in the world, as judged by me! Just the top 50 this year, because I figured that all of the notable tracks were here.
| Rank | Circuit | S | F | R | H | O!F | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Spa Francorchamps
| 24 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 22 | 89 |
| 2 |  Istanbul
| 24 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 20 | 87 |
| 3 |  Hockenheim
| 22 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 18 | 84 |
| 4 |  Suzuka
| 15 | 19 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 80 |
| 5 |  Shanghai
| 24 | 19 | 17 | 3 | 17 | 80 |
| 6 |  Indianapolis (GP)
| 11 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 22 | 78 |
| 7 |  Catalunya
| 20 | 19 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 77 |
| 8 | Fuji
| 21 | 17 | 15 | 6 | 17 | 76 |
| 9 |  Sakhir
| 24 | 18 | 16 | 3 | 15 | 76 |
| 10 |  Sepang
| 20 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 74 |
| 11 |  Brands Hatch (GP)
| 13 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 20 | 73 |
| 12 | Silverstone
| 17 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 17 | 72 |
| 13 |  Monza
| 10 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 22 | 71 |
| 14 |  Le Castellet
| 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 70 |
| 15 |  Phillip Island
| 15 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 69 |
| 16 | Donington Park
| 15 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 69 |
| 17 |  Brno
| 15 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 17 | 69 |
| 18 |  Zandvoort
| 12 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 17 | 68 |
| 19 | Sebring
| 12 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 17 | 68 |
| 20 |  Monte Carlo
| 12 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 25 | 67 |
| 21 | Nurburgring (Nordschleife)
| 5 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 67 |
| 22 | Nurburgring (GP)
| 14 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 66 |
| 23 | Assen
| 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 66 |
| 24 | Le Mans (Sarthe)
| 4 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 25 | 65 |
| 25 | Jerez
| 15 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 65 |
| 26 | Le Mans (Bugatti)
| 18 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 65 |
| 27 |  Kyalami
| 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 64 |
| 28 |  Mexico City
| 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 64 |
| 29 | Laguna Seca
| 11 | 15 | 13 | 4 | 20 | 63 |
| 30 | Melbourne
| 13 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 63 |
| 31 | Valencia
| 16 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 63 |
| 32 | Norisring
| 9 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 21 | 62 |
| 33 |  Montreal
| 11 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 18 | 62 |
| 34 |  Interlagos
| 10 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 62 |
| 35 | Brands Hatch (Indy)
| 13 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 16 | 62 |
| 36 | Mugello
| 16 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 62 |
| 37 | Imola
| 13 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 61 |
| 38 | Motegi
| 17 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 61 |
| 39 |  Buenos Aires
| 11 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 61 |
| 40 | Misano
| 18 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 61 |
| 41 | Adelaide
| 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 60 |
| 42 |  Doha
| 17 | 16 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 60 |
| 43 | Magny Cours
| 16 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 60 |
| 44 |  Hungaroring
| 15 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 59 |
| 45 | Surfers Paradise
| 11 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 17 | 58 |
| 46 | Zolder
| 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 58 |
| 47 | Long Beach
| 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 57 |
| 48 | Durban
| 14 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 16 | 57 |
| 49 | Watkins Glen
| 8 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 57 |
| 50 |  Gotland Ring
| 15 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 57 |
Explanations
- Spa Francorchamps - Founded in 1929, Spa was originally a 7 mile circuit that was a blast through the Belgian countryside. When the circuit was rebuilt in the late 1970s, unusually, it was even better than before. A recent change to the pit lane section has improved facilities dramatically. The sweeping nature of the track, and high average and top speeds make this circuit a favourite with the fans.
- Istanbul - Only 4 years old, Istanbul has proved to be the best of the new circuits. It offers overtaking all over the place, and has World Class facilities. It is also remarkably safe.
- Hockenheim - Formerly a blast through the forest, the new circuit has lost a lot of character, but the new circuit is much safer, and has much better facilities. It also offers great overtaking chances.
- Suzuka - Safety concerns saw the Japanese Grand Prix move to Fuji, but this venue still is the most reviered by the fans of Japan. The high speed nature of the track, as well as the unique figure of 8 layout, make it a drivers' favourite too. Has huge history with World Championships decided there. A sad loss to Formula One.
- Shanghai - A new Chinese track that is high grip and a long straight. It offers overtaking, and has World Class facilities.
- Indianapolis (GP) - A banked corner made this a favourite in F1, as well as overtaking opportunities. F1 loved Indy, but not the other way around, and it will be missed in 2008.
- Catalunya - The once high speed circuit is steadily adding chicanes all over the place - to the detriment of the track in my opinion. It is still super safe, and has top quality facilities. But it is sliding down the pecking order.
- Fuji - The old circuit has kept much of its shape, but the new section has removed some of the high speed character. That said, it is infinitely safer, and has a much grippier surface. The high speed corners have gone, but it boasts the longest straight in F1, and it always seems to rain!
- Sakhir - Schumacher's favourite, the high speed circuit in Bahrain is another with excellent facilities, but is not as good a circuit as Shanghai and Istanbul.
- Sepang - Now firmly established in F1, Sepang is still World Class, and is a wide sweeping circuit, with overtaking opportunities and long straights. A favourite with drivers.
- Brands Hatch (GP) - Murray Walker's favourite track. Brands Hatch boasts good facilities, but a wonderful atmosphere. It is possible to see the whole circuit from the pit grandstand, and is the ultimate autodrome. The fast circuit is also propular with drivers.
- Silverstone - Another British course, the circuit is constantly updating its facilities and safety. Overtaking is getting harder, but the drivers enjoy the opening to the lap, with sweeping curves and a high speed straight.
- Monza - The most dangerous circuit in F1, the high speed straights are now punctuated with chicanes. But it remains popular with drivers, and the fans are the most passionate in the world. Monza has a huge tradition in the sport, and the day it leaves F1 will be a bad day for the sport.
- Le Castellet - Still technically a test circuit, Bernie Ecclestone has improved the track to make it the best facility for testing in the world. It has hundreds of potential layouts, and is a safe circuit too. A former site for the French Grand Prix, rumour has it that it may return there in future.
- Phillip Island - The home of Aussie racing, Philip Island is a collection of high speed corners and straights. Popular in the V8 Supercars series, the circuit hosts the season finale, as well as the Australian MotoGP.
- Donington Park - Home of the British MotoGP, Donington is a safe circuit with high speed sweeps through a valley, and also long straights and overtaking opportunities. It saw probably the greatest ever drive, by Ayrton Senna in 1993, where he won the race almost entirely on dry tyres... in the middle of a torrential downpour!
- Brno - The saddest omission from F1, this circuit is more than good enough on the side of facilities to host the event. Although it is perhaps not as conducive to overtaking as other venues.
- Zandvoort - The new Zandvoort is as good as the old one, but it still does not have good enough facilities to return to F1. Yet the track is still a favourite for all those that drive it.
- Sebring - Home of the 12 Hours of Sebring, the circuit is long and boasts lengthy straights, with plenty of opportunity to overtake.
- Monte Carlo - The Monaco Grand Prix is the biggest occasion in motorsport, and the circuit still symbolises the sport. With a huge history, the circuit makes overtaking impossible... Yet nobody really cares! The day the Monaco Grand Prix ceases will be the day that Formula One ends.
- Nurburgring (Nordschleife) - One of only three circuits in the world where the name is enough to scare the driver. 14 miles of fast sweeping curves, occasionally banked, and with a massive straight, the circuit was host of the German Grand Prix for many years. It was so dangerous that the track was virtually scrapped. Now covered in graffiti, which can be viewed positively (good character) or negatively (an awful mess), the Nordschleife is a track that makes any motor racing fan wince.
- Nurburgring (GP) - The Nordschleife's little brother is nothing in comparison. But it offers a much safer alternative to the other test, but not as much quality in terms of racing. Better for TV coverage as well, this circuit is the practical alternative to the Nordschleife.
- Assen - Shortened TT circuit in the Netherlands. Improved safety and ridability, but lost a lot of character.
- Le Mans (Sarthe) - Dangerous, but the 24 Hour circuit is high speed and flowing. Good facilities.
- Jerez - Venue for the Schumacher-Villeneuve finale in 1997, the circuit is flowing and fast. Held the closest finish in F1 history in 1986 between Mansell and Senna. Good facilities, but has fallen down in the Spanish pecking order. Hosts the Spanish MotoGP, however.
- Le Mans (Bugatti) - Safer than the Sarthe, and hosts the French MotoGP, but the track is considered less exciting.
- Kyalami - The original Kyalami was a wonderful fast circuit, but this version lacks much of the old charm. It is safer, and facilities have been improved, but the circuit leaves you longing for the old one.
- Mexico City - Twice a fixture in Formula One, the circuit has many different configurations, and includes an oval.
- Laguna Seca - The Corkscrew is a legendary corner in racing, but the length of the circuit, and minor safety concerns keep F1 away. The facilities, however, are probably the best in America.
- Melbourne - Host of the Australian Grand Prix since 1997, the track is a popular opener for the season. A street circuit, safety is often not great (a theme common in Australia), but it has excellent facilities, and is developing history.
- Valencia - Host of a MotoGP race, the track is a short new circuit, that is perfect for motorcycling, but perhaps too short for F1. It has World Class facilities, and has enthusiastic fans.
- Norisring - The simplistic German track hosts the flagship DTM race, a touring car class in Germany. The track is two straights linked by hairpins with a chicane in one of them, yet it holds much prestige in Germany.
- Montreal - Once a World Class facility, the track is still wonderful. However, F1 has now outgrown to the facility, and it is hard to see F1 remaining there much longer.
- Interlagos - Scaled down in 1989, the new layout has not harmed the charm of the circuit. It has a sweeping kink in the straight, as well as acceleration changes. Huge fan base from locals, with many great drivers coming from the area.
- Brands Hatch (Indy) - The facilities are excellent, and the main stadium section at Brands Hatch can be seen by the entire crowd at the circuit. It is a small road track that boasts many of the same qualities that an oval has. Great as a club circuit.
- Mugello - Host of the Italian MotoGP since the 1990s, Mugello is a lengthy circuit, but boasts excellent facilities and wonderful fans.
- Imola - Spoiled by chicanes, Imola has more than 20 years F1 history, but shall be forever associated with the deaths of Ratzenberger and Senna.
- Motegi - A great facility in Japan, the track is tight and twisty, but has a long straight. It is not the most dramatic circuit, but it's facilities are World Class.
- Buenos Aires - A track that would host F1 if it wasn't in the Argentine economy, there are a variety of circuits that can be run at any one time.
- Misano - Recently resurfaced and tightened, the biggest recent change is the switch in direction. This has detracted from the character, but it did earn it the right to host a MotoGP race in 2007.
- Adelaide - Host of the Clipsal 500, Adelaide is an excellent street circuit that is one of the many highlights on the V8 Supercars series in Australia.
- Doha - Qatar's only racing facility, the Doha circuit is used in MotoGP, and has World Class facilities.
- Magny Cours - Despite being in the middle of nowhere, the track seemed doomed to removal from the 2008 calendar. Yet it somehow remained.
- HUngaroring - The most boring race in the F1 calendar has recently been improved, and now races are slightly less boring. But a bit more than 0 isn't necessarily a lot either, in terms of entertainment.
- Surfer's Paradise - An underrated circuit on the Australian coast, the street circuit is thought to be the best set up in the world.
- Zolder - A tight and twisty circuit in Belgium, Zolder hosted F1 until the new Spa came along.
- Long Beach - One of the most famous street circuit destinations, Long Beach is an excellent circuit that has at one stage hosted F1.
- Durban - The biggest sporting event last year was the A1 Grand Prix race in Durban, and given similar success in future, it could soon overtake Kyalami as South African Number 1.
- Watkins Glen - Tragically unsafe, the actual circuit at the Glen is an exciting one. F1 will not return until safety is improved.
- Gotland Ring - The Gotland Ring is a new circuit in Sweden, that boasts World Class facilities, and excessive length. It has huge character as a result, and although it has hosted no major racing as yet, it is only a matter of time.
The Winner
For the second year in a row, the winner is Spa Francorchamps. Feel free to criticise and interrogate.
