Formula 1 Street Circuit Surge: How Many Is Too Many?
In Formula 1, where tradition and innovation intersect, the increase in street circuits has become a talking point. There is no denying the allure of street circuits. The unforgiving nature. The atmosphere, electric.
Each lap becomes a high-stakes game of precision as drivers hurtle their machinery through narrow chicanes, their cars kissing the barriers in a heart-stopping display of skill and intrepidity. However, with recent announcements shaking up the calendar, questions arise regarding the saturation point of street circuits in Formula 1 and their impact on the sport’s identity. What is the saturation point? How many is too many?
Recent announcements and surfaced rumours have ignited debates in the motorsport community. Earlier this year, the F1 world was abuzz after the announcement of a significant change: the relocation of the Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to the bustling streets of Madrid, slated for 2026.
Similarly, there have been whispers of a possible street circuit in Chicago that could potentially replace the Circuit of the Americas in Austin when their contract ends. And with Suzuka, Japan, approaching the final year of its contract, murmurs of a prospective street race in Osaka raise the question of whether F1 is reaching a saturation point with its expansion into the streets.
In 2024, the Formula 1 calendar will consist of a record-breaking 24 races, and eight of them are street circuits:
- Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia
- Albert Park Circuit, Australia
- Miami International Autodrome, USA
- Circuit de Monaco, Monaco
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Canada (The track is considered semi-permanent, with elements of both a road course and a street circuit.)
- Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan
- Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
- Las Vegas Strip Circuit, USA
Qualifying sessions at these circuits have fans on the edge of their seats. One minute mistake and the driver is out of the session. This increase in risk also means the possibility of more safety car interventions, which adds a layer of unpredictability.
However, street tracks typically use already-existing road networks, which are suboptimal for a modern Formula 1 car to push to the limit. Slower speeds, except perhaps in the case of Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit, mean fewer overtaking opportunities and a heightened reliance on strategy to gain positions on the track.
The new cars have not assisted in putting on a great show on these circuits either. The larger, heavier, and wider dimensions of the cars impede side-by-side action, particularly on narrow tracks like Monaco. While qualifying may be particularly gripping, the races sadly suffer, and there are often minimal changes in the finishing order.
The new regulations that focus on ground-effect aerodynamics, which were implemented to produce more overtakes, have not meshed well with the layout of the street tracks. The aerodynamic attributes of the current F1 cars have exacerbated issues with dirty air. Dirty air is the turbulent airflow behind cars, which makes it difficult for drivers to follow closely and overtake — an issue that is aggravated on the narrow confines of a street track.
Street circuits also present unique hazards that can disrupt practice sessions and races alike.
Instances such as manhole covers causing disruptions during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend highlight the potential dangers inherent in racing on public roads and the impact the damage can have.
Carlos Sainz was the victim of such an incident when he ran over a loose manhole cover, damaging his monocoque, engine, and battery. He was dropped down the starting order after he received a 10-place grid penalty for replacing his power unit components. Additionally, the harsh punishment for driver mistakes, coupled with the unique issues posed by the road surfaces of these circuits, present additional obstacles for teams and drivers to navigate, especially in the cost-cap era.
What’s more, the increase in street circuits has sparked concerns among fans about the potential dilution of the heritage of Formula 1. With rumours swirling about the addition of a New York Grand Prix to the calendar, these concerns have only grown louder.
One major contributing factor to the imbalance between traditional and street circuits is the rise in race fees. In Formula 1, circuits have to pay to host the race.
Most recently, the British Grand Prix secured a ten-year deal to keep Silverstone on the calendar, a deal understood to be worth £300 million. Regions like the Middle East and the US can afford such record figures, securing long-term contracts, leaving traditional circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps signing one-year deals, constantly at risk of losing their spot on the calendar.
In the case of Hockenheimring, Germany, once an indispensable circuit on the calendar, has been unable to scrape up the fees to host a race since 2019. The circuit has not seen any signs that Liberty Media is prepared to reduce its financial expectations, and managing director Jorn Teske draws attention to the political difficulty of getting government support for a fuel-burning Formula 1 race in Germany. On top of this, an increase in entry prices would only deter fans.
On the contrary, Baku City Circuit is paying a reported $57 million per year and is looking into a possible ten-year deal to host the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Saudi Arabia has a contract worth an estimated $55 million a year that is set to run until 2030, with the possibility of moving the race from Jeddah to Qiddiya in the future.
Street circuits also present difficulties for locals, who have to pay the price for the blocked roads. The Las Vegas Grand Prix, although an economic success, drawing in $1.2 billion into the local economy, was criticised by locals, especially those in service jobs such as taxi drivers and waiters who faced losses.
Moreover, the Strip was wrapped in fencing and black tarp to hide the sport from those who weren’t ready to dish out $1000 for a ticket. The Miami Grand Prix was also opposed by Miami Gardens residents due to the noise levels, and they even took the issue to court.
The crux of Formula 1 lies in the balance of tradition and innovation. As the sport navigates this equilibrium, the surge in street circuits prompts a critical examination of the sport’s trajectory.
Undoubtedly, street circuits inject a level of excitement and novelty into the sport, but they can also have profound effects on local communities. Moreover, the rise in race fees raises questions about the fairness and sustainability of Formula 1’s business model, with certain regions benefiting and traditional circuits facing uncertainty and financial constraints.
The landscape is ever-evolving, which makes it paramount to ensure a careful harmony that honours F1’s past and embraces its promising future.
