19 Feb 2024
From the streets of Monte Carlo, famous for its iconic casino, to the Suzuka Circuit, fans flock to the stands to see their favourite teams face off against each other in a battle of speed, precision and technical innovation in breathtaking surroundings.
But which Formula One circuits are the most beautiful, according to fans? The team at Genting Casino have dived into the data to find out, looking at the number of Instagram posts for each circuit as well as the proportion of reviews using the words “beautiful”, “stunning”, and ‘“gorgeous”.
The World’s Most Beautiful Race Tracks
1. Nürburgring - Race Track Score: 8.39/10
The Nürburgring can be crowned the most beautiful F1 race track ever. Nicknamed “The Green Hell” by Formula One champion Jackie Stewart, thanks to its gruelling conditions, including uneven roads, blind high-speed corners and narrow track, the circuit scores 8.39 out of 10. The circuit takes the top spot for Instagram posts and ranks in the top five for track capacity and its proportion of “gorgeous” reviews.
2. Circuit of the Americas - Race Track Score: 7.89/10
Next is the Circuit of the Americas, with a race track score of 7.89 out of 10. The track’s design is inspired by some of the world’s most revered circuits, from Silverstones’ Maggotts–Becketts–Chapel corner sequence to the Hockenheimring’s arena bends. The Circuit of the Americas scores particularly highly when it comes to its proportion of “gorgeous” and “beautiful” reviews.
3. Silverstone Circuit - Race Track Score: 7.44/10
Scoring 7.44 out of 10, Silverstone rounds up the top three. The track scores highly thanks to its large seating capacity and Instagram posts, ranking second for both factors. The track is also home to an interactive museum and recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with the Silverstone Festival last year.
The World’s Most Beautiful Historic Race Tracks
1. Nürburgring - Historic Race Track Score: 8.73/10
As well as taking the top spot overall with a score of 8.73 out of 10, the Nürburgring also ranks first as the most beautiful historic race track. The circuit no longer hosts Formula One events, but petrolheads who want to experience the rich history of the Nürburgring can visit on track days. A lap around the Nürburgring costs racing enthusiasts €30 (£25).
2. Donington Park - Historic Race Track Score: 7.16/10
Up next is the UK’s oldest racing circuit still in operation, Donington Park. The race track held the first-ever World Superbike Race in 1988 and is home to Ayrton Senna’s legendary ‘lap of the gods’, considered by many fans as the greatest opening lap in F1 history. Donington Park ranks in the top five for Instagram posts and its proportion of “stunning” and “gorgeous” reviews, giving it an overall score of 7.16 out of 10.
3. Brands Hatch Circuit - Historic Race Track Score: 6.21/10
Although the track hasn’t been used for Formula One racing since 1986, Brands Hatch Circuit takes third place as the most beautiful historic Formula One circuit. Built in a natural amphitheatre, the circuit gives spectators a full view of the shorter track configurations used for the ‘Indy Circuit’. The track is hugely popular on Instagram, ranking second for the factor and has the third-highest proportion of “gorgeous” reviews. This gives the track an overall score of 6.21 out of 10.
2023’s Most Beautiful Race Tracks
1. Circuit of the Americas - 2023 Race Track Score: 8.00/10
When it comes to the most beautiful Formula One tracks in 2023, the Circuit of the Americas ranks first, scoring 8 out of 10. The US’s first purpose-built F1 track, the 3.4-mile-long circuit, is home to an amphitheatre used to hold concerts and an observation tower with views of downtown Austin, Texas. The circuit takes the top spot thanks to its proportion of “gorgeous” and “beautiful” reviews, taking first and second place for the factors, respectively.
2. Silverstone Circuit - 2023 Race Track Score: 7.13/10
Silverstone Circuit takes second place as 2023’s most beautiful race track. The track started as an airfield in World War Two and was adapted into a rudimentary circuit in 1948 using hay bales and oil drums to mark the track. Scoring 7.13 out of 10, Silverstone has the highest number of Instagram posts and capacity. It also ranks in the top five for its proportion of “stunning” reviews.
3. Red Bull Ring - 2023 Race Track Score: 6.38/10
In third place, with a score of 6.38 out of 10, is the Red Bull Ring. The circuit is renowned for having one of the most difficult first corners in Formula One, the Niki Lauda Curve. Thanks to its proximity to the home straight and wide runoff, drivers try risky manoeuvres which thrill spectators. The track ranks second for its proportion of "stunning" reviews and third for its total Instagram posts.
The Most Picturesque Race Tracks
1. Nürburgring - 1,123,236 Instagram Posts
With over 1.1 million Instagram posts, Nürburgring takes pole position as the most picturesque race track. As well as hosting the German Grand Prix intermittently from 1951 to 2013, the race track is used by over 40 car manufacturers, from Ferrari to Aston Martin and Jaguar, to test their latest prototypes.
2. Silverstone Circuit - 855,939 Instagram Posts
Silverstone is in second place, with just under 856,000 Instagram posts. The 3.6-mile track is known for its demanding high-speed corners where drivers can reach up to an exhilarating 180 mph. The historic circuit hosted the first-ever F1 World Championship in 1950 and is due to host the 2024 British Grand Prix in July, which it has done for over 35 years.
3. Brands Hatch Circuit - 276,496 Instagram Posts
Brands Hatch Circuit takes third place. The race track in Kent hosted the British Grand Prix 12 times between 1964 and 1986, cementing its place in British racing history. The circuit also hosts the British Superbike Championship and the British GT Championship. Brands Hatch has 276,496 Instagram posts.
The Racetracks with the Highest Capacities
1. Shanghai International Circuit - Capacity: 200,000
Formula One is the perfect spectator sport, thanks to the thrilling combination of raw speed and fierce team rivalries. Shanghai International Circuit can host the most spectators on the list with a 200,000 seating capacity. The circuit was designed by former F1 driver Hermann Tilke, who was also responsible for redesigning the Nürburgring and the Fuji Speedway.
2. Silverstone Circuit - Capacity: 160,000
Up next is Silverstone, with a seating capacity of 160,000. Thanks to its wide track, drivers can attempt different lines and ambitious overtakes, making for a thrilling spectacle for fans. The track can host up to 400,000 spectators over the four-day British Grand Prix, and like many circuits, Silverstone hosts track days for petrolheads.
3. Suzuka International Racing Course - Capacity: 155,000
In third place is the Suzuka International Racing Course. Widely considered one of the world’s most technical and mentally challenging race tracks, the course was initially designed as a test track for Honda. The circuit is famous for its iconic figure-of-eight layout, one of only two Formula One tracks to use this configuration and seats 155,000 spectators.
The Race Tracks with the Most “Beautiful” Reviews
1. Watkins Glen International - 11.63% of Reviews
Taking first place is Watkins Glen International, with 11.63% of reviews using “beautiful”. Nestled between state forests and parks, the track is the spiritual home of road racing in the US. The circuit in New York State hosted the United States Grand Prix for 20 consecutive years from the 1960s through the 1980s.
2. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 6.26% of Reviews
Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps takes second place. Currently the home of the Belgian Grand Prix, the historic 4.3-mile track in the heart of the Ardennes forest is known for the steepest ascent in Formula 1, with an 11% incline at its sheerest. 6.26% of the circuit’s reviews use the word “beautiful”.
3. Circuit of the Americas - 6.09% of Reviews
Rounding off the top three is the Circuit of the Americas with 6.09% of reviews using “beautiful”. The track, opened in 2012 is the current home of NASCAR and the Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas, as well as Formula One, holding events since 2021.
The Race Tracks with the Most “Stunning” Reviews
1. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 1.72% of Reviews
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps also ranks in the top three for “stunning” reviews, taking the top spot with 1.72%. Thanks to its mountainous location, the track offers a unique challenge to drivers, with weather conditions varying from one end of the track to the other, leading to often surprising results.
2. Red Bull Ring - 1.40% of Reviews
Austria’s Red Bull Ring is next, with 1.40% of its reviews using “stunning”. Against the backdrop of the breathtaking Styrian mountains, the 2.6-mile-long track has been the site of some of the most exciting Formula One moments, including Verstappen’s controversial overtake on Leclerc in 2019.
3. Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello - 1.07% of Reviews
The first Italian race track to feature in the top three, Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, also known as Mugello Circuit, takes third place. The track is a relatively new addition to the Formula One roster, only hosting its first F1 race, the Tuscan Grand Prix, in 2020. Just under 1.1% of reviews describe the track as “stunning”.
The Race Tracks with the Most “Gorgeous” Reviews
1. Watkins Glen International - 1.39% of Reviews
Nicknamed “The Glen” by Formula One fans, Watkins Glen International takes the top spot, with 1.39% of reviews describing the track as “gorgeous”. As well as previously hosting the US Grand Prix, the track is home to the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the NASCAR Cup Series.
2. Circuit of the Americas - 0.73% of Reviews
The current home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix, Texas’s Circuit of the Americas takes second place, with 0.73% of reviews using the word “gorgeous”. Thanks to the popularity of the Netflix show “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”, the circuit drew an estimated 440,000 spectators over the three-day 2022 United States Grand Prix, a record-breaking number for Formula One events held in North America.
3. Circuit de Monaco - 0.55% of Reviews
Home to the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the world’s highest-regarded motor racing events, the Circuit de Monaco takes third place. 0.55% of the reviews for the circuit, which flows through the streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, use the term “gorgeous”.
Methodology
Beginning with a list of Formula One circuits for which data was available taken from Wikipedia, we analysed each one on the following factors. We then gave each Formula One circuit a normalised score out of ten for each factor before taking an average across each score to reach our final overall score out of ten. We then repeated this process for historic circuits and circuits used in 2023 Formula One races.
Instagram posts: The total number of Instagram posts for each circuit using the hashtag #[Formula One circuit].
Percentage of "beautiful" reviews: The total number of reviews for each Formula One circuit, divided by the number of reviews that use the word “beautiful”, according to Tripadvisor.
Percentage of "stunning" reviews: The total number of reviews for each Formula One circuit, divided by the number of reviews that use the word “stunning,” according to Tripadvisor.
Percentage of "gorgeous" reviews: The total number of reviews for each Formula One circuit, divided by the number of reviews that use the word “gorgeous,” according to Tripadvisor.
Capacity: The capacity of each Formula One circuit, according to Wikipedia.
All data is correct as of 02/02/2024.
Viewing hours for Formula One: Drive to Survive were taken from Netflix. To find this figure, we added the total hours viewed across all five current seasons in the first six months of 2023.
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