Home to the first F1 race held in the Middle East, Bahrain International (also known as Sakhir) hosts a nighttime race under floodlights to ensure both man and machine don’t overheat in the desert heat. The venue hosts F1, F2, F3 and WEC among several other championships, makes use of multiple layouts and has also been the home of F1 pre-season testing in recent years.

Situated in the Persian Gulf between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain is the 3rd smallest nation in Asia. The island nation offers visitors a many unique experiences — beaches, deserts, ancient history, ultra-modern conveniences. There’s more than enough to occupy your body and mind during your time away from the track.

The Jeddah Corniche circuit is the fastest street circuit and also one of the longer overall courses on the F1 calendar. It features multiple DRS zones, and many fast, sweeping turns rather than more traditional 90 degree turns you might find on an old-school street track. Normal race weekends feature F1, F2, and F3 for a high-speed, action packed weekend.

The track is located on the picturesque Red Sea coastline in the city for which it’s named. The city, second largest in Saudi Arabia, serves as an important gateway to the kingdom’s many religious sites with numerous museums and historical landmarks alongside ultra-modern attractions to keep the curious traveller occupied for days.

Albert Park is one of several street circuits on the F1 calendar which makes use of both public streets (drivable during other times of the year) and roads that wind through the city’s beautiful green space. The track is fast and demands mechanical prowess due to it’s uneven surface and conditions on-track will change rapidly throughout the weekend as it transitions from public streets to a rubbered-in race track.

Melbourne is a gorgeous city on the southern coast of Australia which boasts plenty of sunshine and attractions to keep both new and returning visitors longing for more. The city is known for it’s vibrant culture and art scene while being in close proximity to the amazing Yarra Valley and other ecological wonders.

Suzuka International boasts an iconic figure-eight layout that is the only one of it’s kind on the Formula One schedule. The track’s long history has seen legendary battles between drivers throughout the years and numerous updates have kept the circuit fresh. It remains both a driver and fan favourite due to it’s unique atmosphere during the full F1 race weekend.

Situated in the southern half of Japan, the city of Suzuka has a lovely climate with warm summers and mild winters. Ise Bay is just a few kilometres from the track if you’re searching for beach activities. Ise-Shima National Park is roughly an hours travel to the south and hosts immense cultural significance and natural beauty. Whatever you’re searching for beyond the racetrack, the immediate area is sure to deliver plenty of adventure.

Shaped to resemble the Chinese symbol for “shang” (upwards), the Shanghai International Circuit features long straights, high speeds, and intricate curves that force drivers into high-G situations testing their physical capabilities.

The track is located on the outskirts of massive Shanghai on the coast of the Yellow Sea. Given it’s location and size, the city and surrounding area features all the urban adventuring and cultural highlights you would expect in any major metro area around the world. Given it’s status as a major tourist hub on it’s own, the F1 race is one highlight in a sea of many other marvels.

Miami International is a recent addition to the Formula One schedule. It’s a purpose-built temporary circuit constructed annually around the Hard Rock Stadium — home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team — giving it a similar look to Melbourne or Montreal but with a distinctively Miami vibe.

Florida, and Miami in particular, is known for it’s beaches and vibrant culture. The track is north of downtown Miami and Miami beach, but there are numerous cities and towns directly adjacent and further up the coastline such as Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach which all provide numerous opportunities to soak up the sun, shop for deals, or experience the delicious blend of South Florida cuisine during your trip.

Named in honour of Ferrari founder Enzo and his son “Dino” (Alfredo), the circuit at Imola hosts numerous motor racing events throughout the year including F1, F2, F3, and WEC championship events among many others. The track is known for being technically challenging with tight corners, high speed chicanes, and plenty of elevation changes to keep both drivers and spectators on edge.

The track is located on the southern edge of Imola within the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The town of Imola and the surrounding area has a rich history worthy of exploration and is within close proximity of Balogna ensuring your visit can be filled with both racing and cultural highlights.

Monaco hosts perhaps the most iconic Formula One race which is as much about the glitzy atmosphere surrounding the race as it is the race event itself. The race takes place on the narrow, elevated streets above the yacht-filled bay and includes a high-speed section through the Tunnel Larvotto. The average speed is low, but the unforgiving streets and sharp corners make it a highly technical drive where even the slightest amount of hesitation by the driver will result in an accident.

The Principality of Monaco sits on the beautiful Mediterranean coastline near the French-Italian border. It’s the second smallest sovereign state in the world and it’s highly likely that any visit will take you beyond it’s borders. The sea immediately south of the city is an obvious destination but both the French Riviera to the west or the national parks to the north are amazing outdoor destinations begging to be explored.

Montreal’s Gilles-Villeneuve is uniquely situated on a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River east of downtown. It’s named after the Canadian hometown favourite — a former Ferrari Grand Prix winner — and has a handful well-known features such as the Senna ‘S’ turns, Pont de la Concorde, the Hairpin Curve, and infamous Wall of Champions.

Any visit to the track should be accompanied with a longer stay in Montreal proper. The city has a rich history dating back to 1642 and it’s French roots are reflected in everything from the official language spoken to the many events the city hosts throughout the year. Quebec offers a very different experience from the rest of Canada is well-worth further exploration as part of your race week.

The Circuit de Carcelona-Catalunya is well-traveled by Formula One teams. Up until the last few years, it hosted pre-season testing and has held a spot on the schedule since it’s debut. The track itself is a series of sweeping bends and high-speed corners over undulating hills that make for excellent racing action under the Spanish sunshine.

Barcelona is located in the northeast of Spain just off the Mediterranean coastline. As you might imagine, the beaches are welcoming, the sunshine plentiful, and the Andorra mountains to the north offer great escapes for anyone seeking outdoor adventure. If urban exploration is your scene, Barcelona has you covered with it’s energetic nightlife, cultural attractions, and plenty of delectable local treats.

The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is a short, but beautifully laid out circuit which takes advantage of the hilly terrain to create high-speed sweeping corners and elevation changes to challenge drivers and thrill spectators. The tracks elevation makes for excellent spectating as you can catch a glimpse of large portions of the track from many grandstands.

Austria is a great place to visit in the summer months around the race weekend. The area surrounding the track is mountainous and offers excellent hiking and other activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Graz is the nearest large city and is home to excellent historical architecture and museums to get lost in while soaking up the rich cultural heritage.

Silverstone is a storied circuit located in the heart of England and built atop an RAF airfield. The track is well-balanced with several slower sections consisting of tight, technical cornering alongside the high-speed chicanes and straights. No matter where you’re spectating from, you’re sure to catch enough action to keep your heart racing and with several Formula One teams based nearby, you’ll have plenty of home-town fans cheering alongside you.

The geography around Silverstone is what you’d expect from being located in central England with gently rolling hills and forests. Situated half-way between London and Birmingham, the track is accessible from numerous cities both large and small leaving lots of options for local exploration. Other notable towns nearby include Milton Keynes, Northampton, and Oxford. All of these off unique experiences for the traveller searching out something new and interesting.

The Hungaroring is similar in size to the Red Bull Ring in Austria next door, but the layout features more corners and shorter straights which completely changes the character of the track. The challenge is to string together multiple entries and exits which often leads to driver mistakes and creates on-track action with opportunistic overtakes and un-planned off-road excursions.

The circuit is located on the outer of edge of Budapest which is a natural draw for any off-track exploration. For fans of history, the city is steeped in stories, architecture, and an ancient past. For more modern takes, the city is home to many parks, art museums, casinos, and festivals throughout the year which should provide options no matter your interests.

One of the most beloved and well-known circuits in the world, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps hosts many events for various racing championships throughout the year. The layout has changed numerous times it’s long history, but one overriding principal has always been to maintain high speed through hilly terrain. Add in the characteristically unpredictable weather of the region and as you might imagine, Spa (as it’s often shortened too) has the ability to make legends.

The track is in the far eastern edge of Belgium which means it’s closer to the German border than cities that visitors to Belgium might be familiar with such as Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent. However, Liege is not too distant and it’s somewhat remote location means it’s a great option for the type of traveller that likes to get out and explore the countryside outside of larger cities or metro areas.

Built upon the North Sea dunes west of Amsterdam, Circuit Zandvoort is an undulating track featuring tight, banked corners not found on many other circuits hosting Formula One races. After a multi-decade hiatus, it was added back to the calendar and has quickly become a fan favourite due to it’s unique features and ability to generate plenty of on-track action for cheering fans.

Zaandvoort is on the coastline which offers plenty of options for those seeking water, sunshine and beaches. Nearby Amsterdam which is a mighty tourist destination in it’s own right, and both The Hague and Rotterdam are due south. Any of these larger urban areas are going to offer a wealth of activities and cultural highlights to enjoy. Better still, each is easily accessed by public transit making your travel between destinations a breeze.

Monza Circuit is the oldest purpose-built race track in mainland Europe. It was built in 1922 and has undergone several iterations over the last 100+ years. The current iteration is a high-speed layout featuring a few iconic corners with well-known names, but is best known for it’s high-speed straights which has earned it ” The Temple of Speed” moniker. The nature of the track means cars at full-throttle for large portions of the lap which creates extreme conditions for both the driver and machine.

The track is located on the northern edge of Milan which means it’s just south of the Alps. Milan is a major metropolitan area featuring both historical and modern highlights for travellers to enjoy. The city offers plenty of museums, architecture, shopping, and cuisine if you’re interested in urban highlights. A trek to the north will satisfy outdoors enthusiasts with the foothills of the Alps nearby featuring lakes, rivers, hiking, and plenty of sightseeing opportunities.

Baku City Circuit is constructed in the Icheri Sheher old town area of Baku. The layout is somewhat traditional with tight, 90-degree corners and a series of narrow straights as it winds through the ancient city before opening up for a 2.2km dash down the main straight. The narrow streets punish mistakes and over the years has led to very memorable clashes and crashes as drivers fight for the racing line.

Baku is located on the far eastern edge of Azerbaijan on a peninsula jutting out into the Caspian Sea. The mix of ancient and modern amenities offered by the city create an interesting cultural vibe not found in other event host cities. For architecture and history buffs, a visit to the iconic Maiden Tower or Shirvanshas Palace should be top priority or perhaps a close up view of the Flame Towers which which are recognizable to anyone who’s seen a Baku City race on TV.

Similar to Baku City, the Marina Bay Circuit uses a traditional layout of long straights and 90-degree corners as it winds through the city streets along the western edge of the bay. Due to the traditionally hot and humid conditions, Formula One races take place at night which lends itself to the beautiful, glowing cityscape as a backdrop for dramatic wheel to wheel action on track.

Singapore is a bustling city-state and home to approximately 6 million people. As you might expect, it’s jam-packed with all the modern amenities you’d expect from any other large metropolitan city in South Asia but has an ancient history worthy of exploration. Awesome cuisine, immense cultural history, and a vibrant nightlife are all at your fingertips. Given it’s location, the sea also offers travellers plenty of possibilities for beaches, sailing, and other water-based activities.

Until recently, the Circuit of the Americas was the only destination available for F1 fans in the US. While Miami and Las Vegas have joined the calendar, the Austin circuit is still the only dedicated US track which makes it the premier venue for a large and growing fan base. Expect a distinctively “American” vibe to the entire proceeding and embrace the “weirdness” of Austin so many love.

Austin is centrally located in the state of Texas and as such, is nearby several other cities of interest if you choose to venture further afield. A short trip south will end up in San Antonia which hosts the iconic Alamo and River Walk. To the east, the sprawling metropolis of Houston and the Gulf of Mexico. Finally to the north, you’ll find the sister-cities of Dallas and Ft Worth. Each of these locations is distinctively different and worth a long-term visit on their own.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is located near the heart of bustling Mexico City. The track is notable for it’s elevation. At 2,238 m above sea level, the thin air creates a different environment for both drivers and their machines than either are used to. The track is also notable for it’s stadium section in which the track cuts through the old Foro Sol baseball stadium and seats thousands of roaring fans.

The capital of Mexico is home to over 21 million people and offers everything you could imagine or look for in an urban setting. Beyond the obvious, the city has a rich history that can be explored with it’s many museums and historical monuments. If nature is what you’re seeking, then you’re also in luck because the city is surrounded by national parks to the west, south, and east with each offering a mixture of high-altitude outdoor adventure possibilities.

Traditionally known as Interlagos due to it’s neighbourhood and location between two large artificial lakes on the south side of São Paulo, the track features old-school banked corners and large elevation changes across it’s relatively short length. While the track doesn’t host F2 or F3 races due to it’s far-flung locale, it does host WEC and TRC championships.

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil by population. Other areas of the country may be better known for their proximity to the Amazonian rain forest or hosting Brazilian Carnival, but São Paulo isn’t lacking in unique locales or character. The city has a rich history and a celebrated cultural landscape defined by it’s art and food scene that offer up unmatched variety for a traveler in search of new experiences.

Featuring a long, high-speed run down the iconic Las Vegas Strip, the spectacle of the race is matched only by the spectacle of it’s host. Known for neon lights and late nights, Las Vegas has applied both characteristics to the event by pushing the start time late into the evening to avoid the desert heat and ensure the backdrop is full of the never-ending flashes and glitzy flair of the casinos and streets that line the circuit.

Las Vegas is an acquired-taste but uniquely American in both it’s history and tact. The host city is a tourist city at heart so any visitor will find a never-ending supply of shows, shopping, and events to partake in. If you’ve had enough of the glitz however, the desert surrounding the city is a beautiful landscape worth exploring. Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Death Valley are just a few of the unbelievable sights within close proximity to the City of Lights.

Lusail International was first used as a MotoGP track, but has transformed itself into a top-notch F1 host. The main straight is built for drag racing but the rest of the track consists of sweeping, medium and high-speed corners. Due to it’s desert location, the races are run under permanent lighting and interestingly, the track is surrounded by artificial grass as a means to keep the desert sand from overtaking the track.

Qatar is only a short distance from Bahrain (featured earlier in the F1 schedule) and Abu Dhabi (next up on the F1 schedule) and therefore shares similar characteristics in terms of climate and positioning on the Persian Gulf coastline. Qatar however, features it’s own unique highlights that deserve closer attention. Visitors might enjoy the Souq Waqif marketplace to find unique gifts, explore the desert by camel-back on a guided tour, or visit the Golden Mosque to view it’s amazing Ottoman-style architecture and glittering facade.

Yas Marina Circuit is the centre of a purpose-built tourist destination on the outskirts of the city. It’s a modern track design featuring unique challenges for the drivers not found elsewhere and once again, given it’s desert locale, features permanent lighting and a late evening start time. As the final destination in a long season, the race event is often festive and closes out the night with a renowned pyrotechnics display.

The area immediately surrounding the track features lodging, shopping, a Ferrari theme park, water sports, beaches, and golfing to keep everyone entertained during the weekend when you’re off-track. Beyond the Marina, the capital is an obvious destination or you could head up the coastline to see other engineering marvels such as the Palm Jebel Ali (Palm Island) or the renowned city-scape defined by the Burj Khalifa.