Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (2023)

Australia 1991 - 24 minutes and 34 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (1)

1/31

The start of the 1991 Australian Grand Prix took place in treacherous conditions, thanks to a storm passing over Adelaide.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Australia 1991 - 24 minutes and 34 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (2)

2/31

With rain intensifying further and plenty of standing water on track, the number of accidents rose sharply. After Nigel Mansell (pictured) and Gerhard Berger crashed, Ayrton Senna waved frantically at the marshals to stop the race.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Australia 1991 - 24 minutes and 34 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (3)

3/31

On lap 17 of 81, the race was finally red flagged. With conditions not improving and drivers hesitant to a restart, the results were declared based on lap 14. Drivers officially completed only 52 km of distance - compared to 306 had they gone till the flag - with Senna declared the winner.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Spain 1975 - 42 minutes and 53 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (4)

4/31

Drivers went on strike before the start of the 1975 Spanish GP weekend on safety grounds. Inspection had revealed that several barriers weren't bolted properly. Eventually teams themselves took to the track to fix the barriers and drivers decided to call off the strike.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Spain 1975 - 42 minutes and 53 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (5)

5/31

There were several collisions at the start of the race, including one involving the two Ferraris. Against all odds, Rolf Stommelen took the lead in an Embassy Hill.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Espagne 1975 - 42 minutes et 53 secondes

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (6)

6/31

However, there was drama when the rear wing of Stommelen's car broke, launching him over the barriers. Five spectators were killed in the accident, while the German himself suffered multiple injuries. The race was halted a few laps later. Montjuïc circuit never returned on the calendar following this horrific incident.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Malaysia 2009 - 55 minutes and 30 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (7)

7/31

The 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix began on a bone dry Sepang circuit, but with the threat of rain showers looming. Williams' Nico Rosberg led the race from Jarno Trulli (Toyota) and Jenson Button (Brawn), but the first round of pitstops allowed the Englishman to surge ahead of both his rivals.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Malaysia 2009 - 55 minutes and 30 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (8)

8/31

Rain hit the track around lap 20, forcing drivers to switch to wet weather tyres. Trulli was the only driver to try intermediate tyres and he briefly took the lead after Button pitted for the same compound. However, rain began to intensify on lap 30 and everyone had to go back to full-wets.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Malaysia 2009 - 55 minutes and 30 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (9)

9/31

With conditions deteriorating, safety car was called in. After circulating the track for a few laps, eventually the race was red flagged. The organisers waited 50 minutes for conditions to improve, before announcing the end of the race. The results were declared after lap 31, handing Button back-to-back victories to start the 2009 season.

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

Austria 1975 - 57 minutes and 56 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (10)

10/31

The start of the 1975 Austrian GP was delayed by 45 minutes due to a storm. When it eventually got going, the track was still quite damp and cars weren't tuned for the conditions.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Austria 1975 - 57 minutes and 56 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (11)

11/31

Vittorio Brambilla shined in conditions, rising through the pack to take the lead from James Hunt. Once in front, he was able to establish a 20-second buffer over the Englishman by lap 25th.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Austria 1975 - 57 minutes and 56 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (12)

12/31

Another shower soon hit the track. The drivers who had retired from the race asked the officials to bring out red flags - and they duly followed the suggestion on lap 29. Brambilla was declared the winner. But while celebrating his victory, he removed one hand from the steering wheel and crashed on the in-lap.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Monaco 1984 - 1 hour, 1 minute and 7 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (13)

13/31

After a delay of 20 minutes, the 1984 Monaco GP went ahead in conditions that were far from ideal for racing. After 24 laps, only nine drivers were left in the race, with McLaren's Alain Prost in the lead.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Monaco 1984 - 1 hour, 1 minute and 7 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (14)

14/31

Behind the Frenchman two drivers were making strides - a young Senna in a Toleman and Tyrrell's Stefan Bellof. The Brazilian and his team were banking on race not going to the full distance and had fueled the car accordingly.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Monaco 1984 - 1 hour, 1 minute and 7 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (15)

15/31

As conditions worsened, Prost began to signal the officials to get the race stopped. Former F1 driver and race director Jacky Ickx waved the red flag and the chequered flag on lap 32, signalling the end of the race. Senna passed Prost, who was on the grid, and thought he had won, but the results were declared on lap 31, leaving him second.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Italy 1978 - 1 hour, 7 minutes and 4 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (16)

16/31

The 1978 Italian Grand Prix was given green flag before all cars even reached their grid spots, leading to a jumbled-up pack heading towards the opening sequence of corners.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Italy 1978 - 1 hour, 7 minutes and 4 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (17)

17/31

Several drivers were involved in a multi-car pileup, including Ronnie Peterson, whose Lotus hit the barriers directly.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Italy 1978 - 1 hour, 7 minutes and 4 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (18)

18/31

Peterson's car caught fire, leading to a thick cloud of black smoke. Several other drivers who crashed at the scene came forward to retrieve him from the car.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Italy 1978 - 1 hour, 7 minutes and 4 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (19)

19/31

Peterson was taken out of the car and attention turned towards Brambilla, who was hit by a wheel. Three hours after the incident, the race was resumed after 40 laps, with Niki Lauda taking the victory. Mario Andretti was crowned champion but the celebrations in Lotus garage proved short-lived - Peterson died the following day in the hospital.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Belgium 2001 - 1 hour, 8 minutes and 5 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (20)

20/31

The 2001 Belgian GP was quickly interrupted by a crash between Eddy Irvine's Jaguar and the Prost (team) of Luciano Burti.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Belgium 2001 - 1 hour, 8 minutes and 5 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (21)

21/31

Irvine shut the door on the Prost driver, who lost his front wing and crashed violently into the tyres wall at Blanchimont. The Irishman sacrificed his own race to help the marshals, who collectively took 30 minutes to extract Burti from the car.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Belgium 2001 - 1 hour, 8 minutes and 5 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (22)

22/31

The race would resume for 36 laps, with Schumacher going on to take the win. Burti emerged out of the accident with just concussions, but would never be seen in a grand prix again.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Italy 2003 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 19 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (23)

23/31

The 2003 Italian Grand Prix remains the fastest race to take place without any interruptions. No noteworthy incidents took place.

Photo by: Ferrari Media Center

Italy 2003 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 19 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (24)

24/31

With powerful V10 engines, lap times in qualifying went as low as 1m20s. All 53 racing laps were completed in 1 hour, 14 minutes and 19 seconds.

Photo by: Shell Motorsport

Italy 2003 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 19 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (25)

25/31

Schumacher took a home victory for Ferrari, completing the race with a staggering average speed of 247.585 km/hr - the highest till date.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Italy 2005 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 28 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (26)

26/31

The 2005 Italian GP was the second shortest race, not to be red-flagged or interrupted. 2005 was the last year for V10 engines in F1.

Photo by: Ferrari Media Center

Italy 2005 - 1 hour 14 minutes and 28 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (27)

27/31

Juan Pablo Montoya faced pressure from Fernando Alonso, but managed to hold on to take the victory.

Photo by: Alessio Morgese

Italy 2005 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 28 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (28)

28/31

The Columbian's average speed was 247.097 km/hr.

Photo by: McLaren

Italy 1987 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 47 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (29)

29/31

There were no incidents in the race, but the race was shortened.

Photo by: Sutton Images

Italy 1987 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 47 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (30)

30/31

Nelson Piquet won the race in a Honda V6-powered Williams, with an average speed of 232.636 km/hr. 2017 hybrid cars took only 45 seconds longer, despite having to complete three more laps.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Italy 1987 - 1 hour, 14 minutes and 47 seconds

Gallery: 10 shortest races in F1 history (31)

31/31

Initially a 51-lap race - two less than now - the race was reduced by a lap after the first start was aborted due to flames coming out of the Brabham of Ricardo Patrese.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

FAQs

What is the shortest F1 track in history? ›

The shortest circuit by lap distance to host a Formula One World Championship race is the Circuit de Monaco, in Monte Carlo, Monaco, which has held races from 1929-2011. The course has changed in length over the years, with its shortest incarnation between 1929-1979 when it measured 1.9 miles (3.1 km).

How long was the shortest F1 race? ›

Race records
DescriptionRecord
Shortest race (laps, duration, distance)1 lap, 3 min 27.071 s 6.880 km (4.275 mi)
Shortest race without a red flag (duration)1 h 14 min 19.838 s
Fewest laps without a red flag12
Longest race (duration)4 h 4 min 39.537 s
50 more rows

What is the closest F1 race in history? ›

Monza continued to live up to its name as a circuit which produced high-speed thrills and dogfights. Following its top-10 close finishes in 1967 and 1969 it was the 1971 edition of the Italian Grand Prix that would go on to make history as Formula 1's closest ever finish.

What is the wettest race in F1 history? ›

It was the second race of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. The race was due to be contested over 56 laps, but was stopped after 31 laps due to torrential rain. Jenson Button, driving for the Brawn GP team, was declared the winner, having started from pole position.

What F1 race has the least laps? ›

The track that requires the fewest number of laps is the 7.004-kilometer Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, with only 44 laps to the finish line.

What is the slowest F1 track? ›

Circuit de Monaco - Wikipedia.

Which F1 era was fastest? ›

The fastest speed ever achieved by an F1 car is 397.360km/h, set by the Honda F1 team back in 2006, in a modified version of their 2005 car on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA.

What is the longest and shortest F1 circuit? ›

The length of a Formula 1 track can vary greatly, with the shortest track being the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, which is 3.337 km (2.075 mi) long, and the longest track being the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium which is 7.004 km (4.352 mi) long.

Can an F1 race go over 2 hours? ›

The race can not exceed two hours in length—if this interval is reached, the race will be ended at the end of the next full lap—unless the race is halted by a red flag, in which case the total time including the red flag stoppage must not exceed three hours, and the total time excluding the red flag stoppage may not ...

What was the best F1 race ever? ›

The 10 best F1 title‑deciding races ever
  • Brazil 2008. This is the one you all remember. ...
  • Adelaide 1986. ...
  • Suzuka 1989. ...
  • Abu Dhabi 2010. ...
  • Fuji 1976. ...
  • Jerez 1997. ...
  • Brazil 2007. ...
  • Brazil 2012.
Nov 15, 2022

Who is Lewis Hamilton closest to in F1? ›

Following Rosberg's retirement in 2016, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel became Hamilton's closest rival in two championship battles, in which Hamilton twice overturned mid-season point deficits to claim consecutive titles again in 2017 and 2018.
...
Lewis Hamilton.
Sir Lewis Hamilton MBE HonFREng
Websitelewishamilton.com
Previous series
29 more rows

Has America ever had a F1 race? ›

As of 2022, the Grand Prix has been held 51 times at ten different locations. Since 2012, it has been held every year at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, except in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

What is the toughest F1 race in track? ›

Since joining the calendar in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix has never been completed in less than one hour and 51 minutes - in 2018 - and has hit F1's two-hour time limit on four occasions.

What is the hardest race in F1? ›

The Maggots/Becketts track in Silverstone is one of the most challenging tracks for drivers. Most Formula fans and professionals are aware of the enormous difficulties of this track.

Who is the king of rain in F1? ›

Senna: king in the rain

It is probably no surprise that Ayrton Senna is the most successful F1 driver in the rain. Nicknamed Rain Master, the Brazilian was a class act on a wet track. He soon came to be known as the king in the rain, and his statistics only confirm that.

Has there ever been a no stop F1 race? ›

During the 1997 Monaco Grand Prix, Mika Salo in the Tyrrell Ford completed the race without stopping.

Which F1 race has 67 laps? ›

the German Grand Prix

Which F1 track has 66 laps? ›

How many laps are there in each Formula 1 race?
RaceCircuitLaps
Spanish Grand PrixCircuit de Barcelona-Catalunya66
Monaco Grand PrixCircuit de Monaco78
Canadian Grand PrixCircuit Gilles Villeneuve70
French Grand PrixCircuit Paul Ricard53
19 more rows
Jun 30, 2021

What is the most beautiful F1 track? ›

De Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium is easily the most beautiful track present on the Formula One circuit. It has a rich history and conducts significant sporting events, and the F1 race here is eagerly awaited.

Is Nascar slower than F1? ›

The cars' weight also works against them in terms of outright top speed. The current top speeds recorded in NASCAR are around 321km/h, quite a bit slower than F1 and IndyCar. NASCAR also has a slower acceleration time, going from 0-96km/h in around 3.4 seconds.

Is IndyCar faster than F1? ›

Based solely on top speeds, then IndyCar wins out – Scott Dixon took pole for the 2022 Indy 500 with a 234mph run. The 'usual' top speed for a Formula 1 car is around 205mph, although Valtteri Bottas hit 231mph while slipstreaming at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in 2016.

Is anything faster than F1? ›

Porsche's new 919 Hybrid Evo Le Mans Car is Faster than an F1 Car​ After retiring from the top tier of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) last year, Porsche have released their LMP1 car of any regulations and made it faster than an F1 car. Now, that's how to have 'one last hoorah'.

What F1 tracks longest? ›

Spa-Francorchamps

The track was redeveloped in 1979, and although the new circuit is only half the original's length, it's still the longest on the current calendar at 7.004km.

What is the flattest F1 circuit? ›

Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan

The circuit's high point is reached at Turn 13, and from there it drops all the way down towards the sea front - its lowest point, some 24 metres below sea level.

How short can an F1 track be? ›

There are no rules dictating what shape a track must be, but there are still a number of regulations that circuits must abide by. Straights can't be longer than 2km, for example, and tracks must be at least 3.5km long in total. The only exception is the Monaco Grand Prix, which falls just short at 3.337km.

How long do F1 tires last? ›

Formula 1 tyres are built for performance rather than longevity. Street car tyres will last about 15,000 Km, but the life of an F1 tyre is between 60 and 120 Km.

How long can a F1 Straight be? ›

Straights can't be longer than 2km, for example, and tracks must be at least 3.5km long in total. The only exception is the Monaco Grand Prix, which falls just short at 3.337km. It's recommended that new circuits don't exceed 7km in length.

How long can you survive F1? ›

27–51 minutes

What is the longest F1 track ever? ›

The Pescara Circuit was a 16.032 mi (25.801 km) race course made up entirely of public roads near Pescara, Italy that hosted the Coppa Acerbo auto race. Pescara is the longest circuit to ever host a Formula One Grand Prix.

What is the longest track in F1 history? ›

The longest circuit to have hosted a Grand Prix is the Pescara Circuit, which hosted the 1957 Pescara Grand Prix: the 25.800 km (16.031 mi) long circuit in Pescara, Italy, held the annual Coppa Acerbo race, and in 1957 it was the only time that this race was included as part of the World Championship, a race which ...

Which F1 track is the longest? ›

Spa-Francorchamps

The track was redeveloped in 1979, and although the new circuit is only half the original's length, it's still the longest on the current calendar at 7.004km.

Which is the most difficult F1 track? ›

The Maggots/Becketts track in Silverstone is one of the most challenging tracks for drivers. Most Formula fans and professionals are aware of the enormous difficulties of this track.

What is the straightest F1 track? ›

The longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar is found on the Neftchilar Avenue stretch in Baku, measuring 2.2 kilometers in length. This straight is known for its high speeds, with drivers reaching an average speed of over 200 km/h and a top speed of more than 350 km/h.

What was the fastest era of F1? ›

The fastest speed ever achieved by an F1 car is 397.360km/h, set by the Honda F1 team back in 2006, in a modified version of their 2005 car on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA.

Which is the best F1 track in the world? ›

1. Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. The ultimate F1 circuit has to be the legendary Spa which has been an F1 staple for much of the sport's 70-year history. At 4.3 miles, it is the longest track on the calendar and one of the most thrilling for drivers and spectators in terms of corners.

Which F1 track has the fastest corners? ›

The radius of the corner is so small (approx. 10m) that cars are only able to reach a maximum speed of 14 m/s. Silerstone's Copse corner is regarded by many as the current fastest corner in the F1 calendar.

Which F1 track is the hottest? ›

However, nothing will top the 2005 Bahrain GP; the hottest race in F1 history. Temperatures hit a melting 108F, under the scorching desert sun. The drivers were melting inside their cockpits, and even the machinery couldn't keep up.

What is the most famous F1 race? ›

The Monaco Grand Prix is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Is F1 harder than Nascar? ›

Driving rules are more complicated in F1, drivers are required to keep track of a lot more track based information then drivers in NASCAR. NASCAR cars are a lot simpler to drive, they are less technically complex, NASCAR has fewer rules and a different form of driver etiquette.

Which is the most expensive F1 track ever built? ›

The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, is believed to be the most expensive F1 track ever built, with a reputed construction cost in 2009 in excess of €800m ($1bn). No expense was spared for the construction of the purpose-built facility on a man-made island.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated: 12/12/2023

Views: 5507

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.