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A ranked list of the most dangerous F1 tracks in the world
Helix Odhiambo
March 12, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Formula One is an entertaining but dangerous sport because of its high speed and high-risk nature. Watching drivers showcase their driving skills is a fantastic experience, but the challenges of navigating tight corners at high speed have led to fatal accidents on the most dangerous F1 tracks.
Source: Getty Images
Table of Сontents:
F1 has over 20 circuits across different countries, each with unique features and designs. Over the years, drivers have suffered minor injuries from car crashes, mainly caused by the conditions of the tracks. Sports Brief reveals the deadliest F1 tracks according to the percentage of accidents witnessed in the circuits.
Most dangerous F1 tracks of all time
As per Racing News, Over 50 F1 drivers have died following fatal accidents in tracks. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has claimed the most lives (seven), making it the most deadly circuit. We rank the ten worst F1 tracks ever based on their percentage of accidents from data published by the Sun.
Circuit/track | Country | Percentage of accidents |
Paul Ricard | France | 5.56% |
Imola | Italy | 6.7% |
Silverstone | Great Britain | 6.9% |
Zandvoort | Netherlands | 9.09% |
Watkins Glen International | United States | 10% |
Kyalami | South Africa | 10% |
Zolder | Belgium | 10% |
Nürburgring | Germany | 11.9% |
Brands Hatch | Great Britain | 21.43% |
Indianapolis Motor Speedway | United States | 36.84% |
10. Paul Ricard - France
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The Paul Ricard circuit is among the world's modern motorsport facilities and one of the most dangerous F1 tracks. It has hosted high-profile events like the Formula One French Grand Prix and the Bol d'Or 24 Hour motorcycle race.
- Location: Le Castellet, south France
- Opened: 1970
- Capacity: 90,000
- Length: 5.809 km (3.610 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 5.56%
- Fatalities: One
9. Imola - Italy
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Italy's Imola track is also known as Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. It claimed the life of legendary drivers Ayrton Senna and Ronald Ratzenberger during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
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- Location: Imola, Italy
- Opened: 1953
- Capacity: 78,000
- Length: 4.909 km (3.045 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 6.7%
- Fatalities: Two
8. Silverstone - Great Britain
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Silverstone Circuit hosted the first F1 Championship in 1950 and has claimed three lives in 58 races as of February 2024. The British F1 circuit underwent renovation in 1991 and further modifications years later to improve its condition.
- Location: Northamptonshire, England
- Opened: 1948
- Capacity: 160,000
- Length: 5.891km (3.66 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 6.9%
- Fatalities: Three
7. Zandvoort - Netherlands
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The Zandvoort circuit is one of the oldest and most authentic circuits in Formula 1. It is a challenging track for drivers because it offers no exit lanes to recover from mistakes.
- Location: Zandvoort, the Netherlands
- Opened: 1948
- Capacity: 105,000
- Length: 4.259 km (2.646 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 9.09%
- Fatalities: Two
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6. Watkins Glen International - United States
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The Watkins Glen International circuit (Glen) is one of America's most storied and challenging road racing circuits for Formula One drivers. It began hosting F1 events in 1961 but dropped from the calendar after the 1980 season.
- Location: Watkins Glen, New York
- Opened: 1956
- Capacity: 38,900
- Length: 5.43 km (3.4 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 10%
- Fatalities: Two
5. Kyalami - South Africa
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South Africa's Kyalami circuit hosted the F1 World Championship from 1967 to 1985. The track underwent renovations and returned to the Formula One calendar in 1992 and 1993. South Africa and Morocco are the only African countries which have hosted an F1 race.
- Location: Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa
- Opened: 1961
- Capacity: 100,000
- Length: 4.522 km (2.809 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 10%
- Fatalities: Two
4. Zolder - Belgium
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Source: Getty Images
Many remember the world-class motorsport facility for the death of Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve. He died in the 1982 GP after suffering a horrifying crush. Zolder circuit ranks among F1's most difficult tracks, as per Iracing. The venue hosted F1 on ten occasions throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
- Location: Heusden-Zolder, Belgium
- Opened: 1963
- Capacity: 65,000
- Length: 4.011 km (2.492 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 10%
- Fatalities: One
3. Nürburgring - Germany
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The German circuit is often called "Green Hell" due to its challenging layout, narrow mountainous course, rough surfaces, and blind corners. It first hosted F1 races in 1976, where Niki Lauda survived a life-threatening crash. One of the safety fuel cells broke, and flames surrounded Niki. The Guardian states on such a long circuit, the official services take time to arrive. They pulled the driver clear, scorching their own clothing in the process.
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- Location: Nürburg, Germany
- Opened: 1927
- Capacity: 150,000
- Length: 20.832 km (12.944 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 11.9%
- Fatalities: Five
2. Brands Hatch - Great Britain
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The Brands Hatch circuit in Kent is one of the world's most iconic motorsport venues, and the second-most deadliest F1 track with three fatal accidents from its 14 races. The venue last hosted Formula One in 1986, leaving Silverstone as the sole host of the British Grand Prix.
- Location: West Kingsdown, Kent, England
- Opened: 1950
- Capacity: 150,000
- Length: 3.916 km (2.433 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 21.43%
- Fatalities: Three
1. Indianapolis Motor Speedway - United States
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What is the most dangerous Formula 1 track? America's Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the most dangerous F1 race track in the world, with seven fatalities, states Khelnow. The venue is known for hosting the Indianapolis 500.
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- Location: Speedway, Indiana, United States
- Opened: 1909
- Capacity: 400,000
- Length: 4.023 km (2.500 miles)
- Percentage of accidents: 36.84%
- Fatalities: Seven
Frequently asked questions
Since 1950, F1 enthusiasts have witnessed entertaining races featuring top drivers from different countries. Many F1 circuits have claimed several lives, including world champions and young talents.
What is the most dangerous track in F1?
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana is the most dangerous F1 track ever. It has 36.84% of percentage accidents, according to the Sun.
Which Formula 1 track has the most crashes?
The Circuit de Monaco has the most crashes in F1, according to Sporf. The venue hosts the Monaco F1 GP, which leads in number of races with crashes (11). Monaco F1 GP averages 3.2 crashes per race.
What is the most difficult track in F1?
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Bahrain International Circuit, Paul Ricard, and Belgium's Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps are the three most challenging F1 venues due to their tricky turns, as per Red Bull. Several drivers have acknowledged the difficulties in navigating through Bahrains' Turn 11, the Signes corner in Paul Ricard, and Spa's Eau Rouge section.
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Is Spa the most dangerous track?
Over the years, the Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium has experienced numerous accidents and incidents, leading to fatal crashes. Top drivers like Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen have raised their concerns about the need to improve the track's conditions following the death of Dutch driver Dilano van 't Hoff on 1 July 2023.
Is the Singapore F1 track the hardest?
Sky Sports states many drivers rate the Singapore F1 track as one of the most challenging venues. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is one of the few tracks that the 2023 World Champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull has not conquered. The heat and humidity in Singapore also make the conditions difficult for drivers.
Why is Le Mans so dangerous?
24 Hours of Le Mans in France is a unique race that has given many drivers a hard time controlling their cars because of the high speed. It is among the oldest and most challenging motorsport races.
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Final word
The most dangerous F1 tracks highlighted in this article have witnessed multiple car crashes and claimed lives. Others include the Jeddah Corniche Circuit (Saudi Arabia), Suzuka International Racing Course (Japan), and Baku Street Circuit (Azerbaijan).
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