Built around 1942, the legendary Silverstone Circuit in Great Britain was the showplace for the very first Formula 1 World Championship ever a few years later in May 1950. Winner of this milestone race was Italian Giuseppe Farina. The circuit counts as one of the fastest tracks in Formula 1 but also features challenging corners such as Maggotts, Becketts and Abbey. Length: 5.891 km / 3.660 miles Fastest lap: 1:27.369 Record set by: Lewis Hamilton (2019) 
The French city Le Mans offers a special race setting. A mixture of public ordinary roads combined with race tracks creates the unique circuit with a length of over 13 kilometers. Drivers from all over the world gather to compete in the annual 24-hours race. Another special aspect of the circuit: the famous straightaway of six kilometers which allows racers to go all out and reach top speeds up to 400 km/h. Unfortunately, the location is also known for the biggest tragedy in motorsport. In the 1955 Le Mans disaster, 84 people died due to a crash that resulted in debris flying into the crowd of spectators. Length: 13.626 km / 8.467 miles Lap record: 3:14.791 min Record set by: Kamui Kobayashi (2017) 
In the middle of deep German woods, hidden by large trees, lies the Hockenheimring. The circuit was built in 1932, originally as a test route for Mercedes-Benz and as a replacement for a closed racing track in Karlsruhe. In 1970, the Hockenheimring was first used as the official Formula 1 Grand Prix of Germany circuit. Legendary Austrian driver Jochen Rindt won the inaugural race. Apart from Formula 1 races, there are also other motorsports events hosted, such as the drag racing NitrolympX, the German motorbike championship or special events for historic vehicles. Length: 4.574 km / 2.84 miles Lap record: 1:13.780 min Record set by: Kimi Räikkönen (2004) 
Another iconic circuit is located in Germany: the Nürburgring. The track was build in 1927, got restructured several times and now counts as the longest permanent racing track in the entire world. In 1984, the new Grand Prix track was opened with a showmatch between some of the biggest names in racing at this time. Luminary Ayrton Senna came out victorious. Apart from racing events, the Nürburgring also serves as the venue for the annual music festival Rock am Ring. Length: 5.148 km / 3.2 miles Lap record: 1:29.468 min Record set by: Michael Schumacher (2004) 
A sharp contrast to the German circuits framed by green: the Circuit de Monaco leads right through the city of Monaco and past the sea. Contrary to the permanent track at Nürburgring, the Circuit de Monaco is a temporary circuit that gets "build" each year. Since drivers have to race through the partly very narrow streets of the city, it counts as one of the most dangerous tracks in Formula 1. The first Grand Prix was held in 1950, Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio took home the trophy. Length: 3.337 km / 2.07 miles Lap record: 1:14.260 min Record set by: Max Verstappen (2018) 
In 1962, the Japanese Suzuka International Racing Course got build by car manufacturer Honda as a test route. Additionally, Honda built an amusement park called Motopia Park. The Suzuka circuit counts as one of the most difficult tracks in the world since it features all types of curves and change of courses. It is also one of the few rare circuits with an overpass. Austrian Gerhard Berger won the first Suzuka Grand Prix in 1987. Length: 5.807 km / 3.61 miles Lap record: 1:30.983 min Record set by: Lewis Hamilton (2019) 
The Brazilian Autódromo José Carlos Pace was formerly known as Interlagos circuit, which means "between the lakes". Interlagos is one of the few Formula 1 tracks that are counterclockwise. The course brings additional difficulties with its partially uneven road, regular rainfall as well as high humidity and temperature. In 1991, local hero Ayrton Senna got his first victory in his home-country at the Interlagos circuit. Length: 7.960 km / 4.95 miles Lap record: 2:21.40 min Record set by: Jean-Pierre Jabouille (1980) 
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy is one of the oldest and fastest tracks in Formula 1. With long straights and quick chicanes, such as the famous high speed curve Curva Grande, drivers can show the full speed of their vehicles on this circuit. Unfortunately, several fatal accidents occured on the high-speed-track, including the deaths of two-times champion Alberto Ascari and legendary driver Jochen Rindt. In 2006, new regulations were implemented to control the speed. Length: 5.793 km / 3.600 miles Lap record: 1:21.046 min Record set by: Rubens Barrichello (2004) 
Belgium offers a special race track: the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. With several curves as well as a massive height difference of around 100 meters, racing on the track creates a feeling similar to being in a rollercoaster. In addition to the adventurous course of road, there are also two starting positions and two places for pit stops. The Spa circuit got banned as official Formula 1 track in 1970, because the high speeds the drivers achieved were considered too dangerous. A reconstruction fixed the issue and it got reopened in 1983. Length: 7.004 km / 4.35 miles Lap record: 1:46.286 min Record set by: (Valtteri Bottas (2018) From going high-speed at Monza to mastering the complicated Suzuka circuit over to the narrow roads through Monaco.
Reading time: 7 minutes
Every circuit comes with a unique design, different challenges – and some of them have over 100 years of racing history. Let’s take a look at the most iconic circuits.
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