Those tracks we want to return to the F1 calendar

Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari

Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari

Formula 1 should go back to the Hockenheimring. Not the toned-down version that has been used since 2002, rather the 6.8km layout.

This track was the scene of much of motorsport’s history, from the lowest lows – Jim Clark’s untimely death in an F2 race in 1968 – to memorable races like Rubens Barrichello’s maiden grand prix victory from 18th on the grid in 2000, the Ferrari driver having stayed out on slicks despite a substantial shower.

The sight of F1 cars powering through the forest was a joy to behold, and the layout represented a massive challenge as teams ran minimal downforce – making the winding stadium section tricky to tackle for the drivers.

It would admittedly not be a great match for 2026-spec machinery given how early the cars would turn to harvesting on those never-ending straights. Regardless, such a return only is wishful thinking, since nature has taken over the old track. It is peaceful in those woods now, but one can still picture the cars racing out of Ostkurve…

Donington Park – Haydn Cobb

Jean Alesi, Ferrari

Jean Alesi, Ferrari

Donington's time in F1 was too short-lived to know if it would have been a suitable home for grand prix racing, and the less said about the 2010 British GP pitch which almost put the circuit out of business, the better.

And to clarify, this isn’t as a replacement for Silverstone as the home of the British GP – if the United States can have multiple races, then why not Britain?

Since its 2009-10 near-destruction, Donington Park has been transformed into an outstanding racing facility under the ownership of MSV while, crucially, keeping the challenge and attraction of the famous old circuit.

In this writer’s humble opinion, Donington has something Silverstone lacks to make it one of the best, if not the best, F1 track on the planet: undulation. The former airbase’s flat and wide layout is void of the climbs and dips that Donington Park offers, as well as the lateral demands of corners like Redgate, McLean’s and Coppice. The ups and the downs also provide much better viewpoints for fans; while not quite the bowl-like amphitheatre of Brands Hatch, in the right spots you can see more than half the circuit without moving.

Yes, access roads, capacity and the modest pit and paddock make this idea far-fetched in its current iteration, but from purely a driver and fan perspective it’d be a welcomed addition. What's more, it is next door to East Midlands airport, so those who can afford it (or would rather not spend another minute in the cold Leciestershire countryside) can jet in and out instantly. Everyone's a winner.

Kyalami – Jake Boxall-Legge

Nigel Mansell, Williams leads at the start

Nigel Mansell, Williams leads at the start

I've said this before but, for Formula 1 to be a true ‘world’ championship, it really ought to be hosting races on every continent. Since it's unlikely that Antarctica is going to get a race soon, we can let that one slide, but it's surprising that F1 still hasn't moved the needle much when it comes to securing a race in Africa.

Of course, it's been there before; Casablanca's Ain-Diab neighbourhood hosted the Moroccan Grand Prix in 1958, and the South African Grand Prix was first hosted at East London's Prince George Circuit before it was moved to Kyalami, on the outskirts of Johannesburg. A return to Kyalami would be the best way back in.

Kyalami has been remodelled multiple times over the decades; half of the fearsome circuit used from 1967-1985 has been built over, and two different versions were used in 1991 and 1992. It was reprofiled again in 2015, as it dispensed with the downhill bend at the start of the lap for a minor kink, ending in a heavy braking zone for Turn 2.

I reckon it would be a firm favourite among the drivers, particularly with the challenge of the sweepers and the difficulty in getting the Leeukop hairpin right, and should provide some pretty entertaining racing overall. If there's enough support for a South African Grand Prix to return, then Kyalami must lead that conversation.

Watkins Glen – Stuart Codling

Jody Scheckter, Tyrrell

Jody Scheckter, Tyrrell

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: bring back Watkins Glen.

Now, in the real world, some sacrilegious changes might have to be made in the name of safety. But F1 successfully brought Zandvoort back, with charm and character in abundance – and a crowd made up of passionate fans rather than ghastly influencers.

Watkins Glen is the Spa-Francorchamps of North America, a twisting, flowing circuit with challenging sightlines, plus elevation and camber changes. Okay, those signature pale blue guardrails would have to move out a little and some of the gravel traps might have to expand, but F1 managed it with Zandvoort.

The off-track atmosphere would be similarly raucous; F1 would probably not want a return to the days of setting Greyhound buses on fire but Watkins Glen has hosted plenty of rock concerts, which integrates perfectly with the modern model of turning grands prix into weekend-long ‘events’.

Bin off the hellscapes of Las Vegas and Jeddah, and bring Watkins Glen back now.

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