Following F1’s experimentation with Mugello and Bahrain’s outer-circuit in 2020, I have decided to take a look at five circuits which have never hosted a F1 race but deserve a shot.
Circuits like Fiorano, MotorLand Aragon and Moscow Raceway already hold a FIA Grade One license to hold a F1 Grand Prix, yet there are several circuits below that license level which would certainly have potential to produce better thrillers than Sochi and Yas Marina to name a couple of examples.
I therefore have picked out five circuits which have never hosted a F1 race but deserve a shot, covering all parts of the world starting with Losail, Qatar.
Losail
I think everyone is in agreement that Abu Dhabi produces dull racing so perhaps F1 could be bold and look elsewhere for a new Middle East race, with Losail Circuit certainly a fresh original circuit to explore if held a Qatar Grand Prix.
Losail might lack chicanes but makes up for it in proper fast and sharp corners of which some do require heavy braking, making this circuit one that would provide teams with tough decisions in terms of trading speed off to protect their brakes.
In terms of tyre degradation, Losail’s track surface is not very abrasive meaning that drivers would be able to attack the track at maximum speed, especially if Pirelli brought the correct tyre compounds otherwise strategy would also come into play.
Hot weather conditions can also be a factor given the circuit’s location with maximum temperatures often between 30-43 degrees across March-November, which also throws up another challenge for driver and teams in terms of heating.
If look at it from a tourism perspective, Losail is nicely situated near to the city of Lusail and various local villages like Umm Al Ammad and Rawdat Al Hamama, meaning that there would be plenty of tourism options for fans across race week all within close proximity of the circuit.
You therefore have to feel that Losail has all the ingredients to be a classic challenge if was added to the F1 calendar in future, especially as it already holds the FIA Grade One license needed for hosting a Grand Prix and be popular with race-going fans.
Laguna Seca
F1 are currently chasing a Miami Grand Prix but instead of hosting a race in Florida, perhaps it is time that the sport faced the Corkscrew head on and instead head to Laguna Seca, California.
From potential for carnage at Andretti Hairpin to needing sharp balance to counteract corner speed through Turns Five and Eight to cope with the fast flowing demands of Laguna Seca, this circuit would definitely provide quite a fierce test for drivers with late braking key to making moves.
Only five motorsport categories currently use Laguna Seca though with the circuit mainly used in autumn, potentially meaning that the track could well be fit for the three softest tyre compounds unless new asphalt is laid down on the paved track which would create potential challenges for drivers.
Seeing the world’s top motorsport drivers take on the mighty feat of the Corkscrew though would be a tasty moment which most fans of four wheel racing would relish, because some will adapt their driving style as if it’s Pouhon from Spa Francorchamps whereas others will tackle it at maximum attack.
Another bonus is that the circuit is set within a Recreation Area with camping facilities which will provide the local economy a boost with F1 fans in town camping, of which some could make a hiking holiday out of it and explore the great Californian outdoors.
Laguna Seca only has a FIA Grade 2 though so work would have to be done in order to be eligible to host a F1 race, whilst there is a legal issue of a 90 decibels sound limit imposed on the track by Monterey County unless were able to get a fixed temporary lifting of the rule for a F1 race weekend.
Phillip Island
If Albert Park ever decided to get rid of the Australian Grand Prix, F1 instead of looking for a return to Adelaide perhaps should ponder a racing circuit based race Down Under and visit Phillip Island.
Admittedly there would be plenty of work to do to rise from FIA Grade Three to the top grade in order to host a F1 Grand Prix, yet Phillip Island has often been a massive challenge for many two and four wheel series owing to being situated right by Cunningham Bay which leads directly to the Tasman Sea.
Phillips Island therefore is open to strong winds and changeable weather which can affect grip on the circuit, coupled with the abrasive track surface creating high tyre degradation around this high speed track.
Teams and drivers therefore would face a difficult weekend in terms of setup due to the various unpredictable factors from weather to tyre wear and grip issues, although it is hard to not see a race weekend at Phillip Island proving entertaining for fans and media alike.
If look at logistics and hospitality, there are several hotels within proximity of the circuit so teams, media and fans would be well catered for, especially with a natural park and wildlife reserve to visit if into tourism around a race weekend.
Phillip Island therefore has everything needed for a cracking F1 race weekend even though distance is a huge issue given that it is situated almost two hours outside of Melbourne, which would create major logistics challenges in terms of flights and freight.
TT Circuit Assen
Monza, Italy, is the Temple of Speed but F1 are yet to tackle the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ that is TT Assen in Netherlands, making it a circuit which could well be an unknown surprise given that it was snubbed in favour of Zandvoort for the returning Dutch Grand Prix.
With a technical first seven corners which then leads to a fast flowing but twisty remainder of lap, drivers would certainly face a tough task in terms of nailing the ideal car balance, all whilst maintaining speed and having the ideal braking setup which can be crucial in wet conditions around this circuit.
Looking at TT Assen from a logistics perspective, the circuit is only eight minutes away from the city of Assen and has a motorway nearby, meaning that traffic should be manageable akin to Silverstone once get close to the circuit and surrounding roads.
You therefore have to feel that F1 should look to give Assen a go in future given the track’s history in motorsport, although favoured more by motorcycling series than four wheel categories.
Brno
Although surrounded by acres of trees, F1 wouldn’t do much wrong than to visit Brno and Czech Republic for the very first time.
With a variety of fast flowing and medium speed corners often requiring a minimum of third gear on a flying lap, Brno would definitely provide a real challenge for teams in terms of cornering speed and maintaining tyres whilst offering plenty of overtaking opportunities for driver on race day.
The circuit though is located approximately 30 minutes from the city of Brno which might not seem ideal for fans who don’t want to camp, but is located near E50 motorway so traffic shouldn’t be much of an issue with proper management in place to ensure safe entry and exit from all surrounding roads.
Admittedly the setting could be described as quite Spa Francorchamps like with the forests, Brno though would be something quite different by F1 standards and herald a maiden Czech Republic Grand Prix with a track capable of providing competitive action if can get that FIA Grade One license.