The fastest F1 tracks on the calendar

Putting together the fantasy Formula 1 race circuit means hair-raising speed will always be an essential part of any track thanks to the raw appeal of the fastest cars in the world being pushed to the absolute limit.

During the F1 hiatus, there have been plenty of inventive ways to pass the time including dreaming up the perfect track. Starting with the basics, the need for speed is at the top of the list and here’s where to find the best of the best.

With track alterations and technical regulations changing over the years, the average speeds achievable at long-standing circuits frequently alter while the newest marks on the F1 map likes Vietnam and Azerbaijan did not get the opportunity to welcome the wild V10 machines.

To date, just five F1 race lap records stand from the stunningly quick 2004 season when Michael Schumacher and Ferrari dominated. The rest of the race lap records on the 2020 F1 race calendar have fallen over the past two seasons.

The table below is based on race lap records, rather than outright track records or unofficial test lap records, and stacks up the average lap speeds achieved around the configurations of the tracks on the 2020 F1 calendar (excluding the Dutch and Vietnam circuits for obvious reasons).

Leading the way, as it has for effectively the entire history of F1, is Monza and the Italian Grand Prix. After all, it is called the Temple of Speed.

Kimi Raikkonen’s 2018 pole position for Ferrari was the fastest-ever lap recorded around the 3.6-mile circuit at 1m 19.119s and also became the fastest-ever lap in the history of F1 with an average speed of over 160mph.

With ideal weather and track conditions for qualifying last year, the majority of the F1 paddock expected Raikkonen’s feat to be beaten but the farce that occurred during the final run in Q3 – with most drivers missing out on their last timed laps – meant the Finn’s record has survived for another year.

But with the current F1 regulations remaining stable for 2020 and 2021, following the delay to the rules overhaul until 2022, the drivers will have at least two more attempts to take the record – assuming this year’s Italian Grand Prix can take place after the coronavirus crisis.

Here’s a breakdown of the fastest F1 tracks on current calendar.