Formula 1 is one of the most popular sports. It is the highest class of international racing. The races are held in locations around the world. People travel to countries to watch this single-seat auto racing. Some circuits are built solely for Formula 1, while others are street circuits (runs on a public road). Each Formula 1 track is unique. They are not of the same length.
Some tracks are short, and some are long. The shortest track is the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit. It is 3.337km( 2.075 miles). The longest track (current) is the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. It is 7.004 km (4.352 miles). Another interesting fact about Formula 1 tracks is that not all the tracks run clockwise. Well, the majority of them do. But, there are a few that run anticlockwise. The Interlagos circuit in Brazil is the perfect example.
The length between the shortest and the longest circuits is quite significant. And each track has its characteristics. For example, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has a fast layout and is known for its high-speed straights. The drivers and fans have their favorite tracks, and it depends on various elements like the length and shape of it. Let us look at the top ten longest circuits in the history of Formula 1.
Related: How does an F1 steering wheel work?
10. Rouen-Les-Essarts, France (4.1 miles)
Circuit de Rouen-Les-Essarts was 5.543km (3.4 miles) initially. The second configuration between 1955-1971 changed the length of the track to 6.542 km (4.1 miles). The track opened in 1950 (72 years ago) and was considered one of the finest circuits in Europe. The wide track had modern pits and grandstands. It was a street circuit with medium straights. The track hosted five Formula 1 French Grand Prix races in 1952, 1957, 1962, 1964, and 1968. The last race ended with the tragic death of Jo Schlesser. The circuit was also home to Formula 2 events until 1978. In 1994, the circuit was closed because of economic and safety reasons.
9. Spa, Belgium ( 4.4 miles)
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is well-known as Spa is one of the most famous F1 tracks. This circuit is 7.004km (4.4 miles) long. It is located in Belgium. This is the current Formula 1 Belgian GP venue. The track hosted its first race in 1925 and has held yearly races since 1985. Spa has been redesigned throughout its history. Apart from Formula 1, this track hosts other international racing events like the World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Spa, European Le Mans Series, F3, F2 series, and others. Valtteri Bottas holds the official record for the Formula 1 fastest lap time in Spa.
8. Circuit Bremgarten, Switzerland (4.5 miles)
The Circuit Bremgarten was a 7.280 km (4.524 miles) track. It hosted the Formula 1 Swiss Grand Prix from 1933 to 1954. This track hosted its first race in 1934. It saw the tragic death of Hugh Hamilton. It also claimed the life of Achille Varzi. The track had plenty of high-speed corners. It held races from 1934-1939 and 1947-1954. It has not hosted a motorsport event since 1955. Several events were banned due to the 1955 Le Mans disaster.
7. Casablanca, Morocco (4.7 miles)
Ain-Diab Circuit was a Formula 1 road circuit built in 1957 in Morocco. It was a 7.603 km (4.724 miles) circuit. The Royal Automobile Club of Morocco designed the Ain Diab. It was constructed in six weeks. This course was the venue for the final round of the 1958 Formula 1 Grand Prix. Stirling Moss for Vanwall won the Moroccan Grand Prix. Mike Hawthorn for Ferrari finished second. The track claimed the life of Stuart Lewis Evans. The Vanwall driver spun and crashed. The circuit was closed in 1958.
6. Circuito da Boavista, Portugal ( 4.8 miles)
Circuito da Boavista, the street circuit, hosted the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix twice(1958,1960). The first Grand Prix in this circuit was held in 1958. The circuit currently measures 4.800 km (2.983 miles). The original GP circuit existed from 1950-1951. The second GP circuit was 7.4 km. It held races from 1952-1960. The revival circuit (final one) held races from 2005-213. The circuit hosted other racing events like International Formula Master, Italian Touring Car Competition, etc.
5. Clermont-Ferrand, France (5 miles)
The Circuit de Charade also goes by Circuit Louis Rosier and Circuit Clermont-Ferrand. It is a race track in central France built around an extinct volcano. The original circuit was 8.055 km( 5.005 miles) long. It had 48 turns and hosted races from 1958 to 1988. The Modern circuit opened in 1989 with 3.975 km. Formula One French Grand Prix was held in the Circuit de Charade in 1965, from 1969 to 1970, and in 1972. The track is 64 years old and does not hold F1 GP races anymore. However, it holds events like Fun Cup.
4. AVUS Berlin, Germany (5 miles)
AVUS stands for Automobil-Verkehrs- und UbungsstraBe. It translates to Automobile traffic and training roads. This public road was used as a motor racing circuit till 1998. It was opened in 1921. This track held the 1926 and 1959 Formula 1 Grand Prix. However, it closed 25 years ago. The track also hosted racing events like the European F3, the World Sportswear championship, DTM, German F3, etc.
3. Reims-Gueux, France ( 5 miles)
The circuit Reims Gueux was a road course located in northeastern France. This circuit opened in 1926 and closed in 1972. Formula 1 French GP was held here from 1950 to 1951, 1953 to 1954, 1956, 1958 to 1961, 1963, and 1966. The Reims circuit had a triangular layout. It had a reputation for being the fastest circuit of the era, because of its two long straights. Due to the straight-line speed, it resulted in famous slipstream battles.
2. Sebring, United States ( 5.1 miles)
The first variation of the Sebring Raceway measured about 5.192 miles (8.356 km). It makes it the second-longest circuit. Sebring Raceway is one of the oldest operating race tracks in the US. The first race was run in 1950. Dan Gurney holds the race lap record in this circuit. The track hosts 12 Hours of Sebring, FIA WEC, USF, USF Pro, and GT World Challenge America. NASCAR owns this Raceway via IMSA Holdings. A portion of this Raceway served as a WW2 training base for the US Army.
1. Pescara Circuit, Italy ( 16.0 miles)
The Pescara Circuit is the longest race track in Formula 1. It was a 25.801 km (16.032 miles) race course. It was made up of public roads near Pescara in Italy. As mentioned, it was the longest circuit to host the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix. This track opened in 1924 and closed in 1961. Vanwall’s Stirling Moss held the race lap record in this circuit. The track was a spectacular one for the drivers, but it was also dangerous. This track was closed because the organizers could not guarantee the safety of spectators and drivers.
Times have changed. The governing body focuses more on the driver’s and spectator’s safety. They make alterations to the tracks before each race and monitor them closely to ensure it is safe. Most circuits were closed down because they were deemed dangerous, like the longest historic Pescara Circuit. Each Formula 1 track has a different design that makes it unique and exciting.
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