Formula 1 remains a dangerous sport, no matter how advanced the safety measures become. Some circuits are infamous not only for their history but also for how brutally unforgiving they can be. What’s striking is that several of them are still active in 2025. As a fan, I can’t help but admire the sheer bravery involved.
Spa-Francorchamps: speed, elevation… and risk
Spa in Belgium is legendary — and terrifying. Corners like Eau Rouge-Raidillon test a driver’s nerve and control. The track’s natural layout and unpredictable weather make it one of the most dangerous in F1.
Despite this, Spa is part of the 2025 calendar. Fans adore it. Drivers respect it. And personally, I always hold my breath when the rain hits during qualifying.
Suzuka: a technical gem with a dark side
Suzuka, Japan’s iconic track, is beloved for its flow and precision. But it’s also a place of tragedy. The 2014 crash involving Jules Bianchi left a lasting impact on the sport.
In 2025, Suzuka remains. It’s beautiful, but it bites. Every time I see cars going flat through 130R, I feel a rush — and a bit of fear.
Monza: the high-speed temple
Monza is all about speed. Long straights, sharp chicanes, heavy braking — it’s a challenge at every turn. The track has seen many brutal crashes in its history.
Still, it’s part of the 2025 calendar. And rightly so. Monza is part of F1’s DNA. And when the cars thunder past the Curva Grande, you know you’re witnessing history — and danger.
Zandvoort: narrow and nerve-wracking
Zandvoort, back on the calendar, is tight, fast, and punishing. With its banked corners and narrow layout, there’s almost no margin for error.
It may not be as historically dangerous, but in today’s grid, it’s one of the most mentally intense. I often wonder how drivers keep it together through Turn 1 chaos.
Other icons, now gone or tamed
Imola, Nordschleife, and the old Hockenheimring were once temples of danger. Today, they’re either off the calendar or significantly modified. But their legacy lives on, in every engineer’s briefing and every driver’s memory.
What do you think — should Formula 1 continue to race on these legendary but dangerous circuits? Or is it time for safety to take the front seat over tradition?