Eight new or returning venues joined the Formula 1 calendar in the 2010s, but did they work out, and did they enhance the spectacle of the championship? Motorsport Week takes a look.
NB: For the purpose of this feature the Canadian Grand Prix, which returned in 2010 after just a year’s absence, the Bahrain Grand Prix – absent for 2011 after civil unrest – and the German Grand Prix, which had two one-year skips, have been excluded.
Korean Grand Prix
Best known for: The random Jeep deployment
Best moment: The chaotic, title-defining 2010 race
Is (was) it worth going: Well, clearly not
Success rating out of 10: 2
Review: Korea hosted four grands prix and was far from the worst circuit to grace Formula 1, with some enthralling moments, but initial plans for a city to be built around the venue never materialised. It was ruinously expensive and it did not lead to a motorsport boom in a market that could have been exploited. Awkward location, and lack of viable hotels, did not assist its reputation.
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Indian Grand Prix
Best known for: Vettel’s domination of the event
Best moment: Vettel’s 2013 celebrations upon clinching the title
Is (was) it worth going: Again, no.
Success rating out of 10: 1
Review: India lasted just three years and the trio of races were dominated in largely forgettable fashion by champion Vettel. Those who went did not have an overwhelmingly pleasant experience and tax arguments facilitated its eventual removal for 2014. Recent visitors have reported that the paddock signage and hospitality units are still set up as per the final event in 2013. Again, another potentially huge market that didn’t work out.
United States Grand Prix
Best known for: Big hill. Big tower. Cool city.
Best moment: Action-packed 2015 race won by title-clinching Hamilton.
Is it worth going: Hell yeah y’all.
Success rating out of 10: 9
Review: Formula 1 long strived to find a worthy venue in the United States and the purpose-built Circuit of the Americas is just that, providing a challenge to drivers that also leads to close wheel-to-wheel racing. The event has flourished, assisted by the vibrant nearby city of Austin, and is among the most popular each year. Good food, good music, good vibes. Let’s hope plans for a second US GP in Miami help, rather than hinder, Austin.
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Russian Grand Prix
Best known for: Its Olympic heritage.
Best moment: Ferrari’s team orders drama in 2019.
Is it worth going: Hmm… Nyet.
Success rating out of 10: 4
Review: Russia’s legacy for its costly Winter Olympics venue was to turn the roads around the stadia into a grand prix circuit. It has one challenging corner but the rest of the circuit is bland and forgettable, while soulless Sochi (or to be more precise Adler) is the wrong location for Formula 1 to showcase the best of a culturally and historically rich nation. It has hallmarks of Valencia but without the charm. And is difficult to get to.
Austrian Grand Prix
Best known for: Hills. Greenery. Red Bull.
Best moment: Thrilling denouement to 2019 race.
Is it worth going: Ja.
Success rating out of 10: 8
Review: The renovated and restored Red Bull Ring returned to the calendar in 2014 courtesy of the energy drinks company. The short circuit is deceptively challenging while its backdrop is drop-dead gorgeous, with the fickle weather occasionally throwing a spanner into the works. It’s a long way from the nearest big city but central European location – and throng of Dutch fans – creates a frenzied atmosphere, with plenty of good food too.
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Mexican Grand Prix
Best known for: Being the best event on the calendar.
Best moment: The late three-way battle for the podium in 2016.
Is it worth going: Si si si.
Success rating out of 10: 9
Review: The Mexican Grand Prix has won the Promoter’s Award for the past five years, attracts some of the biggest crowds every season, and continues to build on its own success rather than have a slight wane. It is a fantastic event. The circuit has been neutered compared to its previous stint and the quality of racing has been debatable, though in recent years there has always been a talking point even if side-to-side action has been lacking. It’s a winner.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Best known for: Well Done Baku. Baku Welcomed Us All.
Best moment: Anything from 2017 or 2018.
Is it worth going: If you’re into exploring then yes.
Success rating out of 10: 7
Review: Oil-rich Baku has used sport to expand its global profile in recent years, with Formula 1 slotting neatly into its plans. Baku itself is a mixture of old (dating back centuries) and new (with vast glass-fronted skyscrapers) blended with its Soviet-era architecture. Races can be tame or epic depending on the appearance of the Safety Car, which bunches the pack prior to the two-kilometre straight. Macau-style layout causes set-up headaches while proximity of walls adds to the challenge.
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French Grand Prix
Best known for: Headache-inducing run-off. And traffic.
Best moment: The best is yet to come…?
Is it worth going: South of France? Yes. Paul Ricard? Er…
Success rating out of 10: 5
Review: France has a rich history in Formula 1 and fully warrants its place on the calendar, while next year in addition to part-state-owned Renault it will have three of the 20 drivers. But is Paul Ricard – which for years was purely a test facility – the best venue for racing? No. Organisers are hopeful that changes to the layout for 2020 will help matters though year-on-year fall in spectators, and absence of F2/F3, means they have some convincing to do. Weather’s nice though. And the nearby beaches are lovely.
