With the start of the new Formula One season not far off, there’s a lot of focus on Lewis Hamilton. The Brit’s chasing his fifth World Drivers’ Championship, which would draw him level with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, and leave him just two behind Michael Schumacher.
As well as looking ahead though, the dawn of a new campaign’s also a great time to reflect on the races of yesteryear. Here we take a look at five grands prix we’d love to see reinstated to the F1 calendar.
Whether you’ve driven on the hallowed tarmac yourself or not, F1 drivers have lapped various incarnations of the Ring over the years. Michael Schumacher holds the record for the 3.2 mile race, which last made an appearance on the F1 calendar in the 2013 season.
With a beautiful setting along the northern shores of the Italian coastline, drivers also flew along a straight that ran for around four miles. The circuit was retired due to concerns for both racers and spectators, but with modern safety standards it’d make for a fascinating grand prix.
Setting off along the off-camber Brabham Straight, drivers plunge down into Paddock Hill Bend before taking on the Druids hairpin. Graham Hill Bend is up next, with nods to John Surtees and Jim Clark all coming before the end of the quick-fire lap.
For Imola was the place where Ayrton Senna, arguably the greatest driver to ever grace F1, died in 1994. The track last held a grand prix in 2006, with six of the last eight races won by Schumacher - and one of the others by Michael’s brother Ralf.
The Caesars Palace Grand Prix was held in the hotel’s car park, which meant it was a pretty uninspiring track. As the site where the race was held has now been built on, perhaps F1’s new American owners, Liberty Media, could come up with a new route under the bright lights of Sin City.
As well as looking ahead though, the dawn of a new campaign’s also a great time to reflect on the races of yesteryear. Here we take a look at five grands prix we’d love to see reinstated to the F1 calendar.
Nurburgring
One of the most iconic grand prix circuits of all time, the Nurburgring is approaching its centenary year. Still some way off, there’s plenty of time to revive a race that holds a special place in the hearts of millions of motorsport fans around the world.Whether you’ve driven on the hallowed tarmac yourself or not, F1 drivers have lapped various incarnations of the Ring over the years. Michael Schumacher holds the record for the 3.2 mile race, which last made an appearance on the F1 calendar in the 2013 season.
Pescara Circuit
The narrow, bumpy roads that made up the Pescara Circuit were deployed for a single F1 race back in 1957. The circuit incredibly stretched for over 16 miles, making it the longest grand prix track ever used in the sport.With a beautiful setting along the northern shores of the Italian coastline, drivers also flew along a straight that ran for around four miles. The circuit was retired due to concerns for both racers and spectators, but with modern safety standards it’d make for a fascinating grand prix.
Brands Hatch
Silverstone does a great job of holding the British Grand Prix every year, but we still miss having Brands Hatch as part of the annual adrenaline-fuelled festivities. The Kent racetrack was used in F1 between 1964 and 1986, and is packed with history.Setting off along the off-camber Brabham Straight, drivers plunge down into Paddock Hill Bend before taking on the Druids hairpin. Graham Hill Bend is up next, with nods to John Surtees and Jim Clark all coming before the end of the quick-fire lap.
Imola
Another track full of history and tradition, the area around Imola is home to some of the most famous names in motorsport, including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. The track’s full name is the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, but it’s a placed that’s tinged with huge sadness.For Imola was the place where Ayrton Senna, arguably the greatest driver to ever grace F1, died in 1994. The track last held a grand prix in 2006, with six of the last eight races won by Schumacher - and one of the others by Michael’s brother Ralf.
Caesars Palace
What better excuse for a trip to Las Vegas than to see a clutch of some of the world’s fastest race cars flying down the famous strip? In the early eighties, that’s exactly what was on offer in the Entertainment Capital of the World.The Caesars Palace Grand Prix was held in the hotel’s car park, which meant it was a pretty uninspiring track. As the site where the race was held has now been built on, perhaps F1’s new American owners, Liberty Media, could come up with a new route under the bright lights of Sin City.