Off-Track: My 3 favorite (and least favorite) tracks on the calendar

 In regards to Formula 1 circuits, I pride myself as a man of taste. However, I'm sure many will disagree with me on all of my picks, so without further adieu, here's my take.

Let's start with the least favorites, in ascending order.

3. Abu Dhabi

 

This might come as a shock to some people, but take away the fact that it's at the end of the calendar and I feel like it might be more understandable. We do have all kinds of iconic moments from this track from the past decade, but that's only because it's been where the championship is decided time and time again. This track is somewhat similar to the likes of Qatar and Sochi: It's boringly flat. Now yes, I know there's a small hill around turns 2 and 3, but that's IT. The racing here is never super great, and personally I'm just not a fan of driving this track on a simulator either. I'm not a huge fan of slow speed corners because I think they serve little purpose in F1, and this track is covered in them. They can work at a track like Monza where straightline speed is the obvious headline, but as for Yas Marina, it just doesn't work for me.

2. Azerbaijan

 

Another likely controversial pick here. Baku had a hype train around it for years because of the great races in the late 2010s, but since then we haven't seen anything great from the infamous street circuit. Plainly, this track is overrated. I hope the hype train continues to die down as we continue to see lackluster racing here, because it's also among the tracks in a country with questionable governing bodies. Now I know that doesn't matter a ton, but it's certainly something worth noting. I do like the fact that it's quite challenging for the drivers, but there's little overtaking to be found outside of the main straight and I think that the calendar could definitely do without it.

1. Mexico City

This track SUCKS. Despite having a pretty entertaining race here this year, I hate everything about this track. A lame attempt at high speed corners in the 'esses', painfully slow corners everywhere, and the stadium bit just doesn't work. Granted, the culture in Mexico is awesome, but please for the love of god make this track better. The first sector is the only redeeming quality about it, but even that isn't necessarily a great part of the track. I hope they can add more high-speed corners and try and redo the stadium section, because it's certainly a great idea in theory, but I understand that it's quite risky to have a high-speed corner inside a stadium. So yeah, not much to say about this track other than it just sucks.

Let's move onto the favorites.

3. Silverstone

Iconic, fast, and a home Grand Prix to many on the grid, Silverstone is a top-three circuit on the calendar for many reasons. The aerodynamic perfection this track requires is always a thrill to watch, and each corner is iconic in its' own way. The way the drivers fly out of Club straight into the finish line, the agonizingly long turns of Luffield and Stowe, the perfect esses that are Maggots & Becketts, the wheel-jerking and crash-inducing Copse, what more could you ask for? This track should never leave the F1 calendar and I'm excited to watch races here for years to come.

2. Suzuka

The title-deciding track of the old days. Not only that, but a difficult high-speed demon of a track that requires full focus throughout the entire lap. There are too many historical moments at this track to count, but aside from that, this track is still genuinely fantastic. Japan knows how to do high-speed cornering right, and there's only two low-speed corners with the turn 11 hairpin and the Casio Triangle of 16 and 17. Another track seemingly perfect for Formula 1, and to top things off, the fans here are always so passionate about the sport.

1. Interlagos

Brazil has and always will be my favorite track on the calendar. It's towards the end of the season so chances are the pack has closed in tight, and everything I look for in a track can be found here. Loads of elevation change, unique high-speed corners, slow speed corners that work, tons of history, a dedicated fanbase, and loads of overtaking opportunities. Whenever I think F1, I think of this track. It's also a blast to drive on a simulator while being just challenging enough to always looking for places to improve. In summary, Brazil will always have my heart. I hope to attend this race one day more than any other.