Top 10 slowest tracks in F1

Formula One has always been about speed, power, and adrenaline-pumping action. The pinnacle of motorsport is known for its high-speed circuits, with cars often reaching speeds of up to 220 mph. However, not all F1 tracks are created equal. Some tracks are designed to test the limits of car control and driver skills, while others require a different approach, one that emphasizes patience and precision rather than outright speed.

Dive in and take a look at the top ten slowest tracks on the F1 calendar. These circuits challenge drivers with tight turns, low speeds, and long straights. While they may not be as visually impressive as some of the faster tracks, these courses test drivers in different ways and offer unique challenges and exciting races.

Discover: Which F1 driver has the longest gap between two race wins?

Top ten slowest tracks in terms of average race speed

1. Monaco (150 kmph)

Monaco is perhaps the most famous slow track in F1, known for its tight corners, narrow streets, and lack of overtaking opportunities. The average lap speed is just 150 km/h, making it the slowest circuit on the calendar. The track features hairpin turns, chicanes, and tight corners that require drivers to brake hard and accelerate quickly. The lack of runoff areas and the close proximity of the barriers add to the challenge. While the track may not provide high-speed excitement, it’s still a favorite among fans and drivers alike due to its unique challenges and the prestige associated with winning the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco has witnessed some of the most famous races in history, and it is the circuit that Ayrton Senna dominated, but it is also the track that has seen zero overtakes twice in history. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the 78-lap race in 2021 after polesitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari failed to start due to a driveshaft failure. Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya won in a Williams-BMW in 2003, with Finn Kimi Räikkönen second in a McLaren-Mercedes and Michael Schumacher third in a Ferrari.

2. Marina Bay Street Circuit (179 kmph)

Marina Bay in Singapore is the second slowest track, with an average lap speed of 179 km/h. The circuit is known for its tight and technical layout, which features 23 corners and requires drivers to be precise in their driving. The circuit is particularly challenging at night when the visibility is low, and the humidity adds to the difficulty level. The narrow streets and tight corners make overtaking difficult, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the race.

The inaugural 2008 Singapore GP was a memorable race as it will go down as one of the most controversial races. The race saw Fernando Alonso emerge as the unlikely winner. However, it was later revealed that his teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. had crashed deliberately under team orders, leading to the controversial ‘Crashgate’ scandal. Pat Symonds received a 5-year ban, while Flavio Briatore was suspended indefinitely from F1.

3. Hungaroring Circuit (197 kmph)

The Hungaroring in Hungary has an average lap speed of 200 km/h, making it one of the slowest circuits on the calendar. The track is known for its twisty and tight layout, which requires drivers to navigate 14 corners. The circuit also has a low grip surface, making it difficult for drivers to maintain traction and control their cars. The lack of high-speed corners means that teams must focus on achieving high downforce levels to achieve competitive lap times.

The Hungarian GP witnessed a historic moment when 22-year-old Fernando Alonso secured his first-ever victory, becoming the youngest winner in the race’s history. He dominated the race and lapped the world champion Michael Schumacher, leaving the German with no chance. A star was born on that memorable day. It is also the race that saw Lewis Hamilton start the race alone from the grid as the rest pitted, the race was also the first victory for Esteban Ocon in 2021.

4. Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez (197 kmph)

The Mexican Grand Prix circuit has an average lap speed of 197 km/h, making it the fourth-slowest track on the calendar. The circuit is characterized by its long straightaways and slow, tight corners, which require drivers to brake hard and accelerate quickly. The track is also located at a high altitude, which reduces engine power and adds to the challenge for the drivers.

In 1992, Michael Schumacher secured his first-ever podium at the Mexican GP, a race that wouldn’t return to the F1 calendar until 2015. While Nigel Mansell ultimately claimed victory, Schumacher showed great potential and competitiveness, foreshadowing the greatness that would later come to define his career. Despite the long absence of the Mexican GP from the F1 schedule, it remains a special place for the legendary driver. It is also the track where Jim Clark won it despite losing the clutch in 1967.

5. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (214 kmph)

The Spanish Grand Prix circuit has an average lap speed of 214 km/h, making it a slower track than other tracks on the calendar. The circuit features a mix of fast and slow corners, including the famous Turn 3, which requires drivers to brake hard before entering the corner. The long straightaway before the final chicane provides a good overtaking opportunity, but the narrow width of the track makes passing difficult.

The 2001 Spanish Grand Prix was a poignant reminder of Mika Hakkinen’s prowess, as the Flying Finn demonstrated his exceptional driving skills by overtaking Michael Schumacher. Despite holding a substantial lead, Hakkinen’s engine malfunctioned on the final lap, forcing him to relinquish his position to Schumacher. This was also the same circuit where Max Verstappen claimed his first victory, becoming the youngest race winner in F1 history.

6. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (215 kmph)

The Canadian Grand Prix circuit has an average lap speed of 215 km/h, making it one of the slowest tracks on the calendar. The circuit features a mix of long straightaways and tight chicanes, which require drivers to be precise in their driving. The final chicane before the start/finish line provides a good overtaking opportunity, but it’s also one of the most challenging corners on the track.

The Canadian Grand Prix is known for producing exciting and unpredictable races, with moments of heartbreak and elation. In 1991, Nigel Mansell’s complacency led to his car stalling just two corners from the finish line, handing the win to Nelson Piquet. In 2007, Lewis Hamilton took his debut victory as Robert Kubica survived a violent crash at the hairpin, showcasing the effectiveness of modern safety standards. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is notorious for its ‘wall of champions’.

7. Circuit of The Americas (215 kmph)

The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, has an average lap speed of 215 km/h, making it one of the slowest tracks on the calendar. The track features a mix of high-speed corners and slow chicanes, which require drivers to be precise in their driving. The elevation changes and the long straightaway before Turn 12 provide a good overtaking opportunity, but the narrow width of the track makes passing difficult.

Circuit of the Americas returned to the F1 calendar after four seasons. Kimi Raikkonen won the race in 2018, while Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel had a potential title-deciding battle. Max Verstappen finished second, despite starting from the back. The circuit is also famous for Lewis Hamilton’s controversial move on Nico Rosberg in 2015, which led to him clinching his third title and Rosberg throwing his cap at Hamilton in the cool-down room.

8. Bahrain International Circuit (219 kmph)

The Bahrain International Circuit has an average lap speed of 219 km/h, making it the eighth slowest. The Bahrain International Circuit is located in the desert of Sakhir, Bahrain. The circuit is known for its long straight sections and tight corners that make it one of the slower tracks in Formula One. The track features a total of 15 turns, with a mix of low and medium-speed corners that demand precise driving and good car balance. The track also has some long, fast straights that allow drivers to reach high speeds, but these are typically followed by tight hairpin turns that force drivers to brake hard and slow down. One of the most challenging parts of the circuit is the final sector, which features a series of slow and medium-speed corners that require good traction and stability from the car.

In the 2014 Bahrain GP, Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg engaged in an unforgettable battle for the win. After a safety car period, Rosberg closed in on Hamilton but failed to overtake him despite multiple attempts. The two celebrated their battle together after the race. However, the Bahrain track was also the site of a horrific crash in 2020 involving Romain Grosjean.

9. Baku City Circuit (220 kmph)

The Baku City Circuit is a relatively new addition to the Formula One calendar, located in the heart of Baku, Azerbaijan. The circuit is 6.003km long and features 20 turns, including tight hairpins, chicanes, and 90-degree corners that require drivers to brake hard and slow down. The track’s lap record average speed is 220kph (134.5mph), despite its mix of high-speed straights and tight, technical corners that make it a challenging and slow circuit.

Lewis Hamilton’s error at the Azerbaijan GP in 2021 was a shock to fans, pundits, and drivers alike. After Max Verstappen’s retirement, Hamilton was to start in second place with an opportunity to make up points. However, a mistake caused him to go straight ahead at the restart, resulting in a DNF and possibly losing the championship in that race.

10. Zandvoort Grand Prix (227 kmph)

The Circuit Zandvoort, located in the Netherlands, is another classic circuit that has been revived for the current Formula One season. The track features a mix of fast and slow corners, with several banked turns that require drivers to carry a lot of speed. The circuit is known for its challenging second sector, which features a series of tight hairpin turns that force drivers to slow down and negotiate the corners carefully. The track’s surface is also quite bumpy and is with 15-degree banking, which can make it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their cars.

The last Dutch GP before its return in 2021 was classic. It saw Niki Lauda deliver an unforgettable performance, surging from 10th on the grid to triumph over his McLaren teammate Prost in a nail-biting finish. Lauda’s victory was an impressive feat, as he held off Prost’s challenge in the last 12 laps to cross the finish line just two-tenths of a second ahead of him. Since its return in 2021, the Dutch GP has been won by Max Verstappen, the man the audience came to cheer. 

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