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Formula One Racing Circuits...

Formula One Racing Circuits - Part 1

We have all heard and read about our favourite Formula One drivers, but how many of us actually know about the racing circuits. The Silverstone motor racing circuit is the first ever to have hosted the World Championship race, the 1950 British Grand Prix. Did you know that? Similarly, there are a lot of other things that we don't know about the F1 racing circuits.

In these three interesting parts, we will bring a list of racing circuits that have witnessed, or would be future witnesses to the racing frenzy that is always associated with Formula One.

Bahrain International Circuit - Sakhir (Length - 5.412 km)

Bahrain International Circuit brought the prestigious Formula One Grand Prix to the Middle East. Fighting stiff competition from countries like Egypt, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain held the first Grand Prix on 4 April 2004. The design responsibility of the BIC was given to German architect Hermann Tilke, the same architect who designed the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

In 2007, BIC became the first Grand Prix circuit that got the FIA Institute Centre of Excellence award which is given for excellent safety, race marshal, and medical facilities; and for the high standards of technology required to maintain these. Bahrain is usually at the third place in the F1 calendar, but this year it flags-off the 2010 F1 World Championship and brings in the landmark 60th Anniversary celebrations of the motorsport.

Fastest lap on this circuit has been achieved by Jarno Trulli (1 min 34.556 sec).

Circuit de Catalunya Race Circuit - Barcelona (4.655 km)

Built in 1991, the Circuit de Catalunya coincided with the Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Barcelona. It plays host to the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix and the motorcycle Catalonia Grand Prix. Consisting of long straights and a number of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is considered to be an all-rounder circuit.

One of the most interesting things about this circuit is that wind direction at the circuit changes during the day, an important factor considering the importance of aerodynamics to modern Formula One cars. A given tyre compound can work well when tested, but not so well a couple of months later during the races. Catalunya racing circuit has been quite prominent in the history of F1 racing. With the most important being the one when Schumacher took his first win as a member of the Ferrari team in the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix.

Fastest lap on this circuit has been achieved by Rubens Barichello (1 min 22.752 sec)

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - Montreal (4.361 km)

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the most popular racing circuits on the F1 calendar due the amazing party atmosphere that engulfs the city during the city during the week of the grand prix.

This circuit, which was originally named the Ile Notre-Dame Circuit, was renamed to honour the Canadian Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve following his death in 1982. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve hosts the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Many experienced drivers have been caught off-guard by the barriers that run close to the circuit. A famous part of the circuit is the wall near the outside exit. In 1999, three Formula One World Champions, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher & Jacques Villeneuve finished the races near this wall, thereby giving it a nickname, "The Wall of Champions".

Fastest lap on this circuit has been achieved by Kimi Raikkonen (1 min 17.387 sec)

Hockenheimring Race Circuit - Hockenheim (4.574 km)

Situated near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, the Hockenheimring racing circuit holds the annual Formula One German Grand Prix among other motor racing events. Since it is situated in the Rhine Valley, it is mostly flat with very little changes in the elevation level.

Originally built during 1932, this circuit was as long as 8 kilometres. The Hockenheim Circuit hosted the German Grand Prix for the first time in 1970. Here is a little trivia about this racing circuit. The Hockenheimring also holds musical events. Michael Jackson played there twice, first in 1988 for the Bad World Tour and 1997 as part of the History World Tour.

Fastest lap on this circuit has been achieved by Nick Heidfeld (1 min 15.987 sec)

Hungaroring Race Circuit - Budapest (4.381 km)

Built during 1986, it took only eight months to complete the construction of the circuit, less time than any other Formula One circuit. The circuit is built on a sandy soil and that's the reason that it is mostly dusty. This circuit saw its first wet race during 2006 season.

Different drivers have different kinds of feelings for this circuit. While some drivers, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, and Fernando Alonso, love the circuit, there are others find it too slow, hot and demanding. According to a survey put together by the Hungarian national tourism office Mogyorod ranks third in venues visited by tourists in Hungary, following the Danube Bend-area and Lake Balaton, but before Budapest.

Fastest lap on this circuit has been achieved by Mark Webber (1 min 21.931 sec)

Istanbul Racing Circuit - Turkey (Length - 5.338 km)

Inaugurated in 2005, this circuit features an anti-clockwise layout. With a total of 16 corners, the sharpest with a radius of merely 49 ft, the circuit runs over four different ground levels and is considered as a test for both drivers and their cars.

One of the most amazing things about this circuit is the turn 8, considered to be one of the toughest, catches out at least one driver each year. This is a fast, sweeping corner with a quadruple apex.

The fastest lap time recorded on this circuit is by Juan Pablo Montoya (1min 24.770 sec)

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