The render of Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit. [Credits: X/ Formula 1]

What are Street Circuits in Formula 1?

Know more about the street circuits of Formula 1

The render of Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit. [Credits: X/ Formula 1]

Street Circuits are a less well known but equally important term in Formula 1 racing. F1 only races on traditional tracks unlike some other open wheel racing categories like NASCAR. Formula 1 has a vast selection of tracks for their Formula 1 calendar. The series organises events all over the world. However, there is a slight variation in some tracks.

Racing on traditional circuits often causes some boredom. F1 uses street circuits as a method to relieve the boredom of viewers.

Looking at the 2025 F1 calendar and listing the circuits where overtaking is difficult…

This is pretty alarming 😳 pic.twitter.com/DoanMu3Qtf
— P1 with Matt & Tommy (@MattP1Tommy) April 6, 2025

The series emphasizes the importance of every type of circuit. But street circuits are a bit special. Unlike other circuits, where there is racing action all year long, the street circuit rises from its slumber during the race weekend.

Imagine this, one day you are driving along the roads in front of your house or your daily route. After a couple days, you find yourself cheering from the grandstands as your favorite driver rips the tarmac at the same corner you stopped your car during a normal day. The prospect is exciting, isn’t it?

Let’s explore street circuits in F1.

Street Circuits in Formula 1

A street circuit in Formula 1 refers to a temporary racing track formed out of scratch during the designated event weekend. A part of the road is converted into a track and grandstands arise along the pavements to support the viewers. The street circuits are narrow. They are not facilitated to drive 300 kmph cars in circles, rather they are designed for smooth flow of traffic.

Street circuits are known for wall-to-wall racing. The racing line followed by drivers sticks close to the walls encircling the track. This racing line optimises the lap time to a huge extent but, it also leads to horrific crashes if done wrong.

Welcome to the fastest street circuit in #F1.

📈 Average speeds of 250km/h+
↪️ 27 corners
🌊 Stunning Red Sea backdrop

This is Jeddah. This is the #SaudiArabianGP. pic.twitter.com/6jD37ZkEkp
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 18, 2021

A street circuit also possesses a fair share of problems. The streets-turned-racetracks are bumpy. They are not seasoned to handle Formula 1 cars. Thus, they provide a nasty and dangerous experience to drivers. F1 drivers have to memorise and carefully navigate the bends and the various bumpy sections of the track. Often, mismanagement causes huge blunders.

For example, a loose drainage cover completely massacred Carlos Sainz’s car at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Formula 1 street circuits are a testament to the adaptability of both drivers and event organisers. Monaco, the F1 race which forms the “Triple Crown” of motorsports is the grandad of all street circuits. Monaco circuit has been a part of F1 since 1955. It has been witnessed every F1 season except the 2020 season due to COVID. The circuit is hailed for its history and reverence as a heritage race in F1. However, in recent times it receives a lot of hate for being the most boring race and too cramped for the new generation of Formula 1 cars.

These street circuits can be awfully tricky as Max discovered! 😅

Catch up on all the highlights from our opening session in Singapore 📺#SingaporeGP #F1
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2022

How Many Street Tracks are There in Formula 1?

Formula 1 has hosted races on 19 street circuits in its history. Some of the most famous street circuits besides Monaco are-

Marina Bay Street Circuit (Singapore)
Baku Street Circuit (Azerbaijan)
Las Vegas Street Circuit (United States of America)
Adelaide Street Circuit/ Albert Park Street Circuit (Australia)
Valencia Street Circuit (Spain)
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve (Canada)

Street Tracks in the 2025 Formula 1 Calendar

The 2025 Formula 1 calendar features eight street circuits throughout the season-

Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah
Miami International Autodrome, Miami Gardens, Florida
Circuit de Monaco, Monaco
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
Baku City Circuit, Baku
Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Paradise, Nevada

Which is your favorite street circuit of the 2025 Formula 1 calendar or the previous races? Follow The Playoffs to stay up to date about latest information in Formula 1.

Australian Grand Prix

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Canadian Grand Prix

Formula 1

Formula 1 2025 Season

Formula 1 Street Circuits

Las vegas Grand Prix

Miami Grand Prix

Monaco Grand Prix

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix

Rohan Singh

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I work as a Writer at The Playoffs specialising in NHL, Formula 1 and Motorsports. I got into online journalism a couple of years ago. I used to be an intern for a website managing their Formula 1 content and then I served an entire year as a contractual writer.