9 of the Most High-Octane F1 Destinations Around the World

It’s hard to beat the Singapore F1 when it comes to excitement, and there are now even more opportunities to see the action, thanks in particular to two of the track's striking grandstands: the Sheares, near Turn 1; and Promenade, between Turns 17 and 18. Additionally, the event in Singapore is both a street circuit and a night race, complete with the spectacle of F1 cars powering past landmarks such as the historic Fullerton Hotel.

The entertainment is over-the-top, too—previous race weekend acts have included Katy Perry, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Killers, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, and Westlife. After the race, make the most of Singapore’s food scene with a guided street food tour.

Insider tip: Feeling flush? Consider splashing out on access to the Amber Lounge, a fabulously decadent after-party where you’re likely to spot some of the event’s A-list attendees.

The Australian F1, held in Melbourne, has always been a highlight of the F1 calendar, and the city is set to host the race until at least 2037. The high-speed race takes place on a street circuit made up of the roads weaving through leafy Albert Park, and the track takes 290,000 man hours to assemble.

Memorable races on this course include the 2008 event, when various incidents (including a collision between Felipe Massa and David Coulthard) meant only seven cars made it over the finish line. If you’ve got some downtime after the race, consider exploring the spectacular Great Ocean Road.

Another street circuit (and another April F1), this particular race involves 51 laps of a track that weaves its way through the center of Baku. It’s a stunning backdrop: The city center is where you’ll find its famous old town (known as Icheri Sheher), where several buildings date back to the 12th century, and which can be explored during guided tours.

Baku’s famously diverse architecture therefore makes this one of the most spectacular races, as cars speed through the old town and past Baku’s medieval city walls. After the race, refuel on the delicious Middle Eastern food the city is famous for.

Insider tip: Reserve a spot in the Absheron grandstand to watch cars speed along the main straight.

The first Miami F1—now one of three F1 races in America, alongside Las Vegas and the United States Grand Prix—took place in 2022, when cars raced along a 3.36-mile (5.41-kilometer) track that took 12 months to build. Three straights (including one with a length of 0.8 miles, or just 1.28 kilometers), make the race in Miami one of the F1 calendar’s quickest tracks—drivers regularly reach speeds of 198 miles (320 kilometers) an hour.

For the best view, hop on the Heineken High Line, a cable car suspended above the track. And, if you’ve got a need for speed (but not a motor racing license), you can finish your weekend with a speedboat tour of Miami’s coastline.

One of the oldest F1s, the Monaco race is an event with guaranteed drama due to the track’s tight, twisting layout. Over the course of this 78-lap race, drivers make around 5,000 gear changes. Top seating areas include the Swimming Pool section—nab a spot here and you’ll see drivers hurl their cars into a ridiculously tight chicane at more than 125 mph (200 kph).

Or, for the sheer wow factor, opt for Grandstand B, which overlooks the ridiculously glam Casino Square, where you can try your luck at the legendary Monte Carlo Casino.

One of the most stunning F1s, the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, is set on Montreal’s lush Notre Dame Island, in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. It’s a fast, furious track, famous for its fearsome hairpin and an abundance of chicanes. Another reason to go? The food. Montreal is famous for its cuisine, and you’ll find plenty of local delicacies on offer during the race.

Don’t forget to try some poutine, either, a Quebecois dish that involves a stack of french fries topped with cheese curds and drenched with gravy. Montreal is also a fantastic shopping destination—head to the city center to explore its interlinked underground shopping malls after enjoying the race.

The fastest circuit (in terms of lap times) and the fourth shortest track overall, the Austrian F1 is one of the calendar’s most exciting events and takes place at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring. Its location in Styria, a mountainous region famous for its castles, vineyards, and historic towns, means there’s plenty of opportunity for some post-race culture, too.

Don't skip heading to Graz, an hour’s drive away, to check out the old town (Altstadt von Graz) before raising a toast to the winner in the main square (Hauptplatz), where F1 fans typically gather for schnitzel and local beer. And be sure to sample brews from Glöckl Bräu, one of the city’s oldest breweries.

The British Grand Prix has it all—high-speed thrills, plenty of family-friendly fun (ranging from demonstrations by the world’s top BMX riders to F1 simulators), and tech-filled fan zones. It’s not the easiest track to get to—you’ll find it in rural Northamptonshire.

But, Silverstone has some of the best accommodation options, including a range of camping and glamping packages. If you want to splurge, go for one of the Deluxe Bell Tents, where you’ll sleep on memory-foam mattresses in a tent bedecked with string lights and with access to luxury shower blocks.

This is another race full of intrigue, largely due to Mexico City’s location at 7,500 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. Here, the air is much thinner, which presents unique challenges for drivers and engineers.

The venue, Magdalena Mixhuca Sports City, hosted the 1968 Summer Olympics (the Spanish and Canadian F1s are the other two races held at former Olympic sites), and it’s just a few miles from Mexico City's center, famous for its rich history and fantastic food scene. You also could pair the race with a trip to the country’s coastline or to one of the nearby ancient monuments, such as Teotihuacán.