The history of F1’s classic circuits
The epic stories of Formula 1 may have been written by the drivers and their cars, but so much of the sport’s history has been carved indelibly into the surface of the world’s greatest racetracks.
The sport’s early post-war years were played out on epic European road courses – such as Spa, Reims or Monaco. But, as Formula 1 grew in popularity, it moved towards more permanent facilities, witnessing the birth of legendary tracks such as Zandvoort, Kyalami, Suzuka, Anderstorp and Interlagos.
Ever since, the sport’s growth has been inexorable. The F1 calendar is now truly global, visiting Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the Americas while still retaining its spiritual heart in Europe. Nonetheless, grand prix drivers still consider a victory on one of the truly great circuits – Monza, Monaco, Silverstone and Spa – to be particularly special as they’re all places that reverberate acutely with the echoes of the past.
