The most famous street circuit, "Formula 1" in the world

From 10 to October 12, built in the Olympic Park "Sochi Autodrome" takes the first ever Russian Grand Prix, "Formula 1". Racing complex called semi-: formal route included in the line of the Big Sochi, and you can find street names on individual sectors. At the same time, all roads "Sochi racetrack" built specifically for Formula 1, and public transport along these streets never ride.

On the eve of the Grand Prix of Russia recall the most vivid urban trails in the 65-year history of "Formula 1".

Monaco, the Monaco Grand Prix

Racing "Formula 1": 1950 and 1955

The main city in the history of the track, the "Formula 1" and, perhaps the most famous race in the world - regardless of championships and titles raffled. The Monaco Grand Prix is ​​held in the Mediterranean principality since 1929 - at the moment, "Formula 1" has not even came into being. In the calendar of the world championship race comes from the base of the international championship in 1950.

Over the past 65 years, the requirements for safety seriously tougher trails, most circuits fifties already demolished or abandoned, and the Monaco Grand Prix live today. If such a line came up now, it for no reason would have passed the mandatory inspection: commissioners necessarily considered too dangerous to race track. But the glory and ensure the status of Monaco Grand Prix in the "Formula 1", no matter what the rules - perhaps Championship Monte Carlo of the world need more than to the principality "Formula 1".

Win in Monaco - a special privilege. This track submits only the best, and the Monte Carlo pets win here many times. Here are the most narrow and rough road in modern Formula 1, and the drivers have to take turns in millimeters of the concrete bumpers. While moving the track dives into the tunnel, and then travels to the waterfront, where cars rush past the Ligurian sea and the yachts moored in the harbor. The full distance is only 260 kilometers instead of the standard for the "Formula 1" 310 - but even shorter distance is not always possible to meet the two-hour limit. And of course, we can not say about the Loews hairpin, where heavy-duty cars "Formula 1" slow down to 45 kilometers per hour - this is the slowest and one of the most difficult turns in the whole championship.

Singapore, Singapore Grand Prix

Racing "Formula 1": from 2008 to the present

Singapore Grand Prix brought the "Formula 1" to a new level: Now you can compete and at night. Before the advent calendar in the Asian city-state world championship race started at 14:00 local time. Singapore Grand Prix starts at 20:00 - especially for the "Formula 1", the local authorities have established so bright artificial light that visibility on the street circuit was hardly probable not better than stationary.

The route runs along the Marina Bay area of ​​Singapore fashionable with a lot of five star hotels, the historic buildings of the colonial era and modern business centers. Against the background of the "Formula 1" stands a gigantic Ferris wheel, and if you have money and desire, you can watch the race from a unique open-air swimming pool, which is located on the roof of three skyscrapers, connected to each other.

Singapore Grand Prix has become so successful that after this treatment the evening turned the race in Bahrain, with plans in the management of "Formula 1" appears night arrival in Azerbaijan.

Long Beach, United States, Grand Prix of Long Beach

Racing "Formula 1": from 1976 to 1983

California Long Beach is called the American Monaco. As well as on the Cote d'Azur, the race in Long Beach attracts businessmen, celebrities and Hollywood stars and the rich surroundings of the resort makes the city a very special track. Race cars "Formula 1" passing by palm trees, and then find themselves close to the skyscrapers of the business center - this combination is only possible in California.

Grand Prix of Long Beach, with great success took place from 1976 to 1983, but then the "Formula 1" she spoiled everything: Cup organizers demanded that the organizers of the race a huge cash payment for the right to host the race. American promoters refused, and the international primacy no longer comes to California. However, the track and the race did not disappear: since instead of "Formula 1" is competing ring series INDYCAR. In the US, this superiority is more popular than the "Formula 1", so that Hollywood stars continue to regularly gather in Long Beach. Tribunes are still overcrowded and American audiences still enjoy street racing on the solar metropolis.

Adelaide, the Australian Grand Prix

Racing "Formula 1": from 1985 to 1995

Around the center of Adelaide is a huge park Time: land area called Parklands reaches seven and a half square kilometers. From 1985 to 1995, in addition to outdoor exercise Australians could find in the Parklands "Formula-1": eleven temporary track hosted the final stage of the World Cup.

The track is laid on the park paths and temporary bleachers were collected before each Grand Prix separately: Local environmentalists feared that the huge designs for racing disrupt the local ecosystem, threatening the habitat of birds and possums. As a result, all the animals remained intact, and Adelaide gave fans a "Formula 1" more exciting and unpredictable races of the championship finals. In the 1996 season, the right to national Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne has bought, but Adelaide continued to hold the race: Now here goes a local bodywork series V8 Supercars.

Detroit, United States, Grand Prix of Detroit

Racing "Formula 1": from 1982 to 1988

City Motors took the Grand Prix, "Formula 1" seven-fold from 1982 to 1988. Detroit Grand Prix was a key step for the automakers represented in the championship of the United States, so the shortcomings of urban highway trying to turn a blind eye. So, the race track was not their own boxes instead of "Formula 1" team specialized garages located under the open sky. The disadvantage can be called and the narrowness of the roadway: unsuitable for road races in Detroit is not very suitable for cars "Formula 1".

As a result, the lap average speed of Detroit was even lower than in Monaco and resemblance to Monte Carlo added a curved tunnel, through which had to pass on every lap. However, all these factors were only inconvenience for drivers and teams - the audience were delighted with the races on city streets, and with the entertainment at the stage was all right. As in the Long Beach Grand Prix organizers Deytroyta could not agree with the leadership of the "Formula 1" of the long-term fate of the race: there is now going through a US INDYCAR series.

Valencia Grand Prix of Europe

Racing "Formula 1": from 2008 to 2013

After the disappearance of Adelaide only "formulary" stage, which is passed directly through the city streets, was the Monaco Grand Prix. Interrupt 23-year monopoly dwarf principality decided to Valencia. By 2008, the "city of arts and sciences" temporary track laid along the streets and announced that will challenge the prestige and glamor of the Monaco Grand Prix. The organizers have not considered one: the race in Monte Carlo takes place on the central region and covers the most beautiful places in the state. Circuit in Valencia placed in port area on the outskirts of the city, which has attributes of steel cranes, huge docks and hangars for cargo.

"Industrilany" European Grand Prix did not like anyone. The track in Valencia to get not just ugly: racetrack absolutely no room for overtaking, because of what the debut race took place without a single successful attack. The mite introduced and the global financial crisis, because of which the Spaniards stopped buying expensive tickets on the "Formula 1": after several years of relatively acceptable audience attendance at the Grand Prix dropped, and in 2014 the race has disappeared from the calendar.

World Championship care has led to tragic consequences: the people and the administration abandoned the area, chippers for "Formula 1" left to rust in the open air, and in the former pits settled homeless.

Port, the Grand Prix of Portugal

Racing "Formula 1": 1958, 1960

Perhaps the track in Porto best corresponds to the concept of the city. Race track took place in the coastal area of ​​Porto road winds between private houses with front gardens, and then went out into the city center, where crossed the tram tracks and output drivers on a cobbled street. "Formula 1" on the pavement - this is only possible in Portugal.

on the streets of Port race took place from the beginning of the fifties, but only in 1958, became an official Grand Prix, "Formula 1". The first race was remembered gentlemanly behavior on the part of four-time world vice-champion Stirling Moss: Moss, Mike Hawthorn opponent was disqualified for driving on the highway in the opposite direction, however, Stirling saw the judge punished competitor by mistake, what and told commissioners. Thanks to the rider surety result Hawthorne was restored - and by the end of the season was Mike took the title. If Porto Stirling stood up for his colleague, he would become the champion of Moss.

Grand Prix in Porto lasted two seasons in the calendar, then Portugal for a long time disappeared from the "Formula 1". In 2005 restored the historical track for World Championship Touring Car WTCC - the truth, the former tile on the streets no longer exists, and the tram rails in Porto long been dismantled.

Montreal Canadian Grand Prix

Racing "Formula 1": From 1978 to 1986, from 1988 to 2008 and from 2010

Like the track in Sochi, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve can be called semi. Racing complex was built on an artificial island of Notre-Dame at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. This island poured in downtown Montreal for the International Expo, and after its completion was turned into a park with walking trails and a race track. Restricted area of ​​the island and the presence of a reservoir in the center have led to the fact that at the racetrack Gilles Villeneuve is practically no flight zones - the entire route is fenced with concrete baffles, followed by lapping St. Lawrence River. This structure does not give drivers the right to make mistakes, because of what the Canadian Grand Prix is ​​traditionally rife with failures and broken machines. Another feature - four long lines on each of which the cars reach speeds above 340 km / h. On emergency braking after direct occur frequently overtaking and collision, and the track itself was nicknamed the "killer brakes" - for the incredible load on the brake system.

Melbourne, the Australian Grand Prix

The race "Formula-1": from 1996 to the present

Australians do not just love parks - Australians love to race in the parks. If Adelaide example enough, here's another: a temporary circuit in Melbourne is equipped in the central city park around the lake, where the rowers compete in swimming and engaged local residents. The very same race track is laid on the bike path - it is in Moscow, they meter wide and race cars "Formula 1" can travel to Melbourne on them.

Centuries-old trees, the proximity of the water and lined up in the neighborhood of skyscrapers create pilots and fans a unique feeling of holiday, which can not be played on any other track: generally recognized, that Australia is a favorite venue for the Grand Prix among riders and teams.

The circuit itself is turned uncharacteristically wide for Circuit City, and an abundance of places for overtaking, coupled with the unpredictable weather makes the race in Melbourne, one of the brightest and most saturated in the whole championship. In addition, for 18 years, she opens the program "Formula-1".