When it comes to F1, there is a broad and diverse mix of circuits on the calendar.
Some modern, some old, some largely unchanged, some almost unrecognisable from their debut on the calendar.
This article is going to be my rundown of circuits I feel are overrated, and why I feel they are. I suspect a few feathers may be ruffled in this article. So sit down, grab a drink and let’s go through what and more importantly why I feel they are overrated.
Hungaroring
The Hungaroring is typically the last stop, or last but one stop before the summer break.
It has seen a number of interesting races in the past, as most circuits have at one point or another in their F1 lifetime. However, one swallow does not make a summer.
2021 was an interesting race, due to an number of unusual factors. First of all, Bottas forgot how to brake in his Mercedes and attempted to mate with the Red Bulls. Then Lance Stroll did the same and attempted to make relations with the Ferrari of Leclerc. 2019 was also an interesting race with Lewis hunting down Max and overtaking him for the win at the end of the race.
The issue with the Hungaroring is the lack of real overtaking opportunities, or seemingly “real” ones. This could be down to the cars we have had in the past, and if the 2022 race shows close wheel to wheel racing and overtakes then I will happily eat my words!
We have seen many a DRS pass into T1, or a switchback from T2 down to the long hairpain at T3. However these are all seemingly DRS assisted overtakes, and the rest of the circuit becomes a time trial from T4 onwards.
The circuit itself is quite often called Monaco without the walls. Now as big as a compliment as that may seem, it is not an association a circuit may want. Monaco has a lot of prestige yes, but the lack of close racing there does not do the circuit any favours.
Speaking of Monaco….
Monaco
I can already hear the F1 elitists lighting their petrol bombs to yeet at me.
Before you do, can you a) remember the cost of fuel in the UK at the moment and b) hear me out on this!
Monaco is a track that has been on a motor racing calender since 1929. It has been on the F1 calendar almost every year, with only a handful of missed years. The most recent was 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monaco is such a spectactle.
The glitz.
The glamour.
The money.
The lifestyle.
There is a reason it is called “the jewel in the crown”. It is the creme de la creme of motorsport.
Ask any driver what race they want to win. I guarantee aside from their own home race they will say Monaco.
Also, the sheer logistics in turning such a small principality into a racing venue is nothing short of magic. Stacking pit garages three stories high, and getting that amount of personnel and equipment in and out of such a small place is just incredible.
However.
The racing is not exactly what we call, close. Even in the 2022 cars, there is not enough room. The cars are just too big. Yes they can follow closer, but the racing room at the circuit is just not enough. For a “race”, the circuit is not wide enough.
If someone suggested Monaco as a circuit in 2022, it would be laughed out the door. People would say “where is the overtaking room?”
You may be able to get a run into Sainte Devote, provided you don’t outbrake yourself like Max did in 2015 or hit a draincover like Palmer did in 2016. Or, if you are feeling particuarly brave, or dull, you can try a move into the Nouvelle chicane. However these moves are all rather risky.
Qualifying is an absolute banger though. Quali of the year for me in Monaco.
Spa
Oh boy.
If that piece on Monaco did not ruffle any feathers, I may have to go into hiding after I have finished this article.
Spa is a circuit which is adored by fans and drivers everywhere.
It has been on the calendar for a number of years, and has seen some incredible moments there. Mark Webber going side by side with Alonso through Eau Rouge up Radillon is one that springs to mind. Also Max Verstappen going around the outside a Pouhon in 2015 in a Torro Rosso with balls bigger than footballs is another one that sticks in the memory.
However, Spa has also seen a number of serious incidents.
The 2012 start line pile on caused by Romain Grosjean and his launching Lotus (a move which earned him a race ban incidentally) was truly frightening. Then the 2018 start where Hulkenberg outbraked himself and launched the McLaren of Alonso over the top of a young Charles Leclerc. The halo proved invaluable that day.
We all remember the events of 2019 in the F2 race. If you are new to F1 and its feeder series and do not know what I am referring to, I urge you to go and read up on the F2 round in Spa 2019. There is plenty of information out there on what happened.
Going back to the circuit itself, is it actually that good for racing?
The run into the La Source is pretty short, and with the larger cars these days we can barely get two into one, nevermind three into one at the start! Just ask Raikkonen and Verstappen from I think 2018.
Then comes the topic of overtaking.
I know I mentioned a few overtakes above, but those are serious standout moments, and we do not really tend to get them at Spa.
A driver can get a DRS activation coming out of La Source, then as they come up through Radillon and Eau Rouge as soon as they reach the Kemmel Straight they press a button and boom. They sail on by waving to the car they have just passed and that is that.
Around the rest of the circuit we do not really see any further overtaking opportunities unfortunately. Someone may have a run into the bus stop chicane, but the turn is so tight that a driver will likely miss the chicane anyway. Just ask Hamilton in 2007 when he was racing Raikkonen.