List of Formula One Circuits

List Of Formula One Circuits

Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body. The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and vehicles must conform. The F1 World Championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, usually held on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual Championships, one for drivers and one for constructors.

The first World Championship Grand Prix was held in 1950 at Silverstone; since then 68 circuits have hosted a Grand Prix. Circuits such as the Nürburgring have hosted Grands Prix using different configurations. The first race at the Nürburgring used the 22.835 km (14.189 mi) configuration, but concerns over safety meant that more recent Grands Prix have used a shorter, safer circuit. F1 circuits were predominately in Europe during the early years of the championship, as the sport has expanded so has the location of its circuits. The expansion into Asia and America has been a recent occurrence. Of the 20 circuits that will host a Grand Prix in 2012, nearly half were not on the calendar before 1999.

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza has hosted the most Grands Prix; it has been used as the circuit for the Italian Grand Prix 62 times. The only season it did not host a race was in 1980, when the Italian Grand Prix was held at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The Buddh International Circuit became the 68th circuit to host a Grand Prix, when it held the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011. The Circuit of the Americas is set to become the newest circuit to host a Grand Prix when the United States Grand Prix is staged there in 2012, at Austin, Texas. The longest circuit to have hosted a Grand Prix is the Pescara Circuit, which hosted the 1957 Pescara Grand Prix. The 25.800 km (16.031 mi) long circuit in Pescara, Italy, held the annual Coppa Acerbo race; in 1957 it was included as part of the World Championship, a race which Stirling Moss won.

As some circuits have hosted Grands Prix using different configurations, the most recent configuration used is listed in the table below.