5 races that can be re-introduced to the F1 calendar

Every year new circuits in new countries are being introduced into the F1 calendar. But not many races stay in the calendar for a long period, due to various reasons – the races in Valencia, Turkey, India and Korea are prime examples.The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the only race introduced in the last 6 years that has survived till 2015. The very important German Grand Prix was not included in the 2015 calendar, despite Germany’s involvement in modern F1.When the situation is like this, fans can celebrate the huge success of the returning classic Mexican Grand Prix at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez last week. Also there are a few more classical circuits with a lot of racing heritage that can be reintroduced into the calendar in the future.Let’s look at five tracks that would immediately make a good impression.

#1 French Grand Prix - Circuit Paul Ricard

Way back when: Graham Hill at the Circuit Paul Ricard

This circuit hosted 14 Formula One races. Located in the small town called Le Castellet, the 5.8 km track was the home for the French Grand Prix. It last hosted the French Grand Prix in 1990 and since then a lot of modifications to the old layout have been made. It can be run with more than 100 possible configurations, which F1 can make use of to provide great racing.

The circuit has been an important testing track for major sportscar championships and it is also known as Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track. It’s owned by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Magny-Cours is another famous track in France, well known for making overtaking very difficult for drivers. Even after some modifications, however, it failed to become a fanfavourite.

France has a huge racing history and is the home of FIA. The term "grand prix" is French too. French Grand Prix has been on the F1 calendar ever since the Championship was introduced.

Some major automobile manufacturers are based in France, engine supplier Renault being one of them. World Champion Alain Prost, Jean Alesi, Romain Grosjen and late Jules Bianchi are some of the best F1 drivers from France. An F1 calendar without a country like France looks awry.

#2 Dutch Grand Prix - Circuit Park Zandvoort

Jackie Stewart Dutch Grand Prix — F1 icon Jackie Stewart leads the charge at the Dutch Grand Prix

Home of the Dutch Grand Prix, the circuit has hosted Formula One races for 30 times and the last one was in 1985. The very famous first corner called Tarzan Corner, known for its tricky and cambered right hander.

The track has provided fantastic racing in the 70s and 80s. Modifications have to be made to the track as the current layout is thought to be unsafe but it deserves a spot in the F1 calendar.

Now, the track is used by other categories such as DTM and Formula 3. Apart from Zandvoort, the circuit in Assen has also been entertaining the Dutch fans by hosting other major motorsport events.

There is a huge fan following in Netherlands, with promising young rookie Max Verstappen the latest addition to the F1 grid. The F1 trucks travelling to Netherlands will be well received.

#3 South African Grand Prix - Kyalami Racing Circuit

The circuit has hosted 20 Grands Prix and the last one was in 1993. The circuit features many fast corners.

This race was very popular here in the region in 70s and 80s, drawing huge crowds. There were many South African drivers then, but the most successful was Jody Scheckter, who raced along with the likes of Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Ronnie Peterson and Emerson Fittipaldi. He also once won on home soil in1975, in a Tyrell.

The return of the South African Grand Prix is speculated to be in 2017 in the new street circuit in Cape Town. But having a circuit like Kyalami that has great racing history and heritage, the FIA should reconsider having it in Cape Town.

#4 Adelaide Street Circuit, Australia

The final round of the 1991 Championship held here holds the record for the shortest ever Formula One race, as the race was stopped after just 14 laps due to heavy rain – and it saw the iconic Ayrton Senna take victory.

It is a short 3.8 km circuit.

In 1993, the great Senna won his last F1 race here in this track. After his death, the final corner was named Senna Chicane. The circuit has seen some of the most powerful F1 cars race here during the prime innovation period at full power, like the Benetton B186, McLaren MP4/4 and Brabham BT55.

The track is currently being used for V8 Supercars. Australia already hosts a F1 race, in Melbourne at the Albert Park Street Circuit. As a result, the inclusion of Adelaide by replacing Melbourne in the calendar would be a difficult decision to make.

One year at Adelaide and the next year at Melbourne would be very exciting but in modern F1, with the sponsors and money involved in hosting a race, it is far from reality.

#5 Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy

There is nothing much to say about the famous track and the races held here. 27 times the F1 circus has travelled to Imola. Small town is Imola but the memories are significant. The track is sadly most iconic for being the venue of the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Ronald Ratzenberger in 1994. It last featured in the F1 calendar in 2006.

It features the infamous Tamburello corner, that’s bumpy and fast, which was modified after a lot of drivers had big shunts over the years.

This track has been one of Michael Schumacher’s favourite hunting grounds, having won 7 times. This track will be the first choice for FIA, if any of the current races have to be removed from the calendar.

There are a lot of other circuits too that can be used for Formula One: Le Mans, Fuji Speedway, Indianapolis, Donnington Park and Brands Hatch to name a few. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and there are 20 races every season and every race has to provide the best racing possible for both the competitors and fans.

Edited by Staff Editor