I have created my dream Formula 1 calendar. In total, I have 22 races and six of them have sprint races. The rules were pretty simple, they had to be FIA Grade 1 circuits and I could also have more than 1 race in the same country. Finally, I have grouped the races into their continents as that is how it should be in real life.
Round 1: Bahrain (Sprint Weekend)
We start the season how F1 starts their season and that is in Bahrain. I love Bahrain, I think it’s a great circuit and an overall great location to host the first race of the season. Also, I’ve decided that it should be one of the sprint races as it’s a great track for overtaking.
Round 2: Sakhir
We stay in Bahrain for Round 2 except this time, we are using the “Outer Circuit”. Formula 1 raced here in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and it brought us a fantastic race. It keeps all the overtaking spots from the main circuit and if anything, it actually creates more opportunities for passing.
Round 3: Saudi Arabia (Sprint Weekend)
Round 3 sees us head to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. We’ve had 2 Formula 1 races in Saudi and they have both been mightily entertaining. 3 DRS Zones allow for lots of overtaking and that is why I have made it a sprint weekend. Also, this is probably in my top 3 favourite tracks to drive on the F1 game so it kind of had to be in here.
Round 4: Australia
Due to covid, Formula 1 didn’t return to Albert Park for a few years and during that time, they changed the circuit layout and in my opinion, it was a massive success. The layout is so much more fun to drive and it was a lot more fun to watch. Well done to the people that came up with the ideas to change the track.
Round 5: Malaysia
The Sepang International Circuit is a track that nearly every Formula 1 fan wants back on the calendar. It created so much good racing and so many iconic moments that it’s pretty crazy it isn’t on the grid in real life. There are lots of good overtaking opportunities and a lot of fun corners to drive. This race isn’t to be missed.
Round 6: Japan
I couldn’t do a dream F1 calendar and not go to Japan. The Suzuka International Circuit is a driver's favourite and has played host to so many iconic moments (particularly with Senna and Prost). It’s also interesting to see Japan in the first third of the season as it’s usually in the final third.
Round 7: Azerbaijan (Sprint Weekend)
The F1 Sprint returns at none other than the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The streets of Baku usually always bring up some sort of carnage and it’s probably my favourite race on the whole calendar. This track has seen lots of surprise podiums and one of the greatest races of all time (2017). I love Baku!
Round 8: Turkey
Round 8 of the Formula 1 World Championship sees Formula 1 return to the legendary Istanbul Park. The Turkish Grand Prix was a fan favourite on the F1 calendar and it returned for both the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to Covid. It’s a fun race to watch and it looks even better to drive.
Round 9: Austria
The Red Bull Ring is one of my favourite race tracks in the world so I had to include it on this list. It’s a short track filled with great overtaking opportunities and a hell of a lot of elevation change. It’s been the scene of many great racing moments and it’s also the home race of Red Bull Racing.
Round 10: Italy (Monza)
The Temple of Speed is the host of the 10th round of the season. Monza is one of the most iconic race tracks in the world and arguably one of the most iconic sporting locations ever. This place holds the record for the quickest-ever F1 lap (average speed) and boy have we seen some different race winners. It’s also the home of Ferrari and the Tifosi which makes it even more special.
Round 11: Emilia Romagna
We stay in Italy but we move down into the region of Emilia Romagna for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The race track is Imola, another iconic track that has so many happy and sad memories attached to it. It’s also a great track to drive on the F1 game.
Round 12: Tuscany
We end the Italian Triple Header in Mugello for the Tuscan Grand Prix. Formula 1 raced at Mugello in 2020 due to covid and I actually enjoyed watching the race. Overall, I thought it was a good track and one that doesn’t get enough credit due to the other historic circuits in the same country.
Round 13: Monaco
It’s time for the Crown Jewel of Formula 1. Even though it’s not the most exciting race, I couldn’t take Monaco off of this list. There’s so much history attached to every corner on this track and the best qualifying session of the year also takes place here. Win this race and you’ll be remembered for a very long time.
Round 14: Germany (Hockenheim) (Sprint Weekend)
After a three-year absence, Formula 1 returns to Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix. Hockenheim is an amazing track that was a must on this list. It’s got lots of good, exciting corners and there are plenty of good overtaking opportunities, hence why I’ve made it a sprint weekend. It’s also Mercedes’ home race.
Round 15: Eifel (Nürburgring)
We stay in Germany for Round 15 of the Formula 1 World Championship as the Nürburgring plays host to Eifel Grand Prix. I always enjoyed driving this circuit on the old F1 games and I enjoyed the race when it returned in 2020. I also love the chicane at the end of the back straight, one of my favourite overtaking places in all of Formula 1.
Round 16: Belgium
“There’s really no place quite like Spa”. The Belgium Grand Prix is an iconic part of any Formula 1 season and it’s not hard to see why when you look at some of the corners (Eau Rouge, Blanchimont, Bus-Stop Chicane). It’s also the longest lap of the season (just over 7km).
Round 17: Netherlands
When it comes to crowds, there aren’t many better than the Dutch fans. They flock in their numbers to support World Champion Max Verstappen and it also helps that the track is pretty unique. It’s got lots of quick corners with a lot of elevation changes. Even though it’s hard to overtake, it still deserves to be on this list.
Round 18: Britain (Sprint Weekend)
Silverstone is the home of Formula 1. It’s a nice catchphrase but what makes it even better is that the track is so damn good. It’s always one of the races of the season and so many of the corners are just incredible. Silverstone also played host to the first-ever F1 Sprint and it gets to host another one this season as we close the European Chapter.
Round 19: Canada
Four Rounds to go, it’s time to go down America. We start with the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. It’s a historic track that is so enjoyable to drive and the Wall of Champions is one of the most famous corners in all of motor racing. I’d also love to see how the Canadian fans would react to a title fight if we were getting one.
Round 20: USA
In real life, America will host 3 races in the 2023 season. In my opinion, neither of the tracks get anywhere near to being as good as the Circuit of the Americas. COTA possess’ so much character and it includes one of the best first corners on the whole calendar. We also see pretty good racing nearly every time Formula 1 visits there.
Round 21: Mexico City
The Penultimate round of my dream Formula 1 calendar sees us go to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix. This track gets a lot of stick which is a shame because I love the look of the circuit and the fans are absolutely amazing. I also couldn’t take this race out because of just how awesome the stadium section is. I hope Checo Perez wins that race one day.
Round 22: Sao Paulo (Sprint Weekend)
The final race of the season sees us return to Brazil for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace is one of the greatest race circuits to ever be built and it plays host to pretty much the best race of the season every time. It’s also the perfect home for the Sprint Race and more importantly, it’s the perfect place to hold the Season Finale.
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