America's return to Grand Prix racing in 2012 gave us a battle between Vettel (Red Bull) and Hamilton (McLaren) for the win. The Brit would win out in the end, scoring his final win for McLaren. The circuit has also proven great for sportscars with Toyota and Porsche duking it out back in 2017. With its flowing sector 1 and long back straight, it has everything the driver and spectator could ask for. Despite being in Texas, a little rain is also never far away.

Toyota TS050 (VRC Tagomi TS50) @ COTA

Although a recent return to the F1 calendar it quickly cemented its reputation for being a boring race. Built as one of the first “safe” racetracks with its wide runoffs, it seems to enforce this by killing the racing. Although it has produced some entertaining moments, Ivan Capeli's nearly win for the little Leyton House team in 1990, the track layout largely discourages overtaking. Sportscars and prototypes fair better as they don’t have a chicane on the back straight but even then the racing is nothing special. The only upside is that Frances other GP track, Magny Cours, while better to drive than Ricard is even worse for racing.

Red Bull RB18 (RSS Formula Hybrid 2022) @ Paul Ricard

A favourite among drivers, but one with a smaller range of conditions for entertainment. With back-to-back DRS zones, into a switchback turns 1 & 2, a battle could perceivably last from turn 14 to turn 4. The only caveat to this circuit is that in 2017 with the wider spec F1 cars, good racing was not as easy to achieve. But given its history on the calendar it has earned its place on this list. Just mind the rain, it can get a bit intense, see 2009.

Ferrari SF15-T @ Sepang

Before you assemble the mob, hear me out. I love Imola and hope it stays on the calendar. It is beautiful to drive and F1 cars look fantastic hoping over its many kerbs. Unfortunately, its older form was just too dangerous to stay on the calendar, and the additional chicanes have blunted overtaking. However, the rest of the track has always been poor for racing. This is a reluctant addition but, much like Monaco, this track is no longer the full package.

AlphaTauri AT01 (RSS Formula Hybrid 2020) @ Imola

Whether day or night, single seater or closed cockpit prototype, the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain has a reputation for delivering great racing. The GP layout allows for peak DRS jostling and switch back action (the less said about the Endurance layout the better). With the high temperatures and abrasive surface, tyre management is also often a factor. Although racing touring cars there might be pushing it a bit.

Porsche 911 RSR (URD Darche EGT 2020/21) @ Bahrain

Yes Formula 1 did race at Le Mans once, although not on the full circuit, but on the shorter Bugatti circuit. They never returned. While it has hosted many race series over the years, only bike race has ever stuck around. What makes a good track varies significantly for bikes and for cars, and as this is a car list, the bikes have no relevance here. The Bugatti circuit is not great for 4-wheeled racing, although not the worst to drive. Stick to the Sarthe circuit.

Lotus 49 @ Bugatti Circuit

Formula 1's first venture to India. The drivers loved the track, and it provided good racing. This circuit was let down by its surroundings, with suspect pit buildings and money issues leading to it dropping off the calendar. Given the size of India as a potential market and MotoGP’s planned return to the circuit in 2023, maybe there is hope for it yet…

Red Bull RB9 (Formula RSS 2013 V8) @ Buddh Circuit

Yes, this did host some early Formula 1 races but that doesn’t mean it can’t underdeliver. Despite having no relation to Tilke, it suffers from much the same criticism as his tracks. The layout consists of a loop around Pergusa lake. That’s it. Over the years more chicanes were added leading to a Tilke-esk layout of acceleration zone followed by heavy breaking zone into a 90-degree corner/chicane. Not a bad layout per-say, but the size of the kerbs hinders any attempt to carry speed (Although it can be fun to drive)

Dodge Viper GTS-R (RSS Vortex V10) @ Enna Pergusa

Pushing it slightly as a “new” track but having been opened in 1986 it is one of the newest tracks on the grand prix calendar, in fact it has the 2nd longest run of consecutive GPs behind only Monza. Despite being known as “Monaco without the walls” the track has a habit of throwing up entertaining races. Strategy is often key to success here and most of the best races here have revolved around this, such as Hamilton’s win in 2019, or Mansell’s overtake on Senna using backmarker traffic in 1989. Weather is a common occurrence at the circuit, helping to spice up racing. The circuit also has an odd tradition of provide drivers with their first win with Alonso, Button and Ocon being a few to break their duck here. For a track with all the hallmarks of being poor for racing, it somehow always finds a way to deliver.

Alpine A521 (RSS Formula Hybrid 2021) @ Hungaroring

This one's going to get some hate. The choice was between Suzuka and the Nürburgring, but the German giant is something unusual by modern standards. Its size makes it a unique challenge. While its width still isn’t great for racing, it does have the GP loop and its own microclimate which, like Hungary, helps to spice things up. Suzuka on the other hand is just a regular track, albeit one that is great to drive. It is very much an oxymoron. To get the best out of the circuit you need a high downforce car, but that leads to more dirty air and hence worse racing. Much in the same vein as Imola, Suzuka never liked two wide racing, never mind with modern F1 machinery. It is far too narrow, and while there are overtaking spots they require a huge amount of commitment, a risk drivers fighting for a championship can’t afford to take. With the ever-increasing size of Formula 1 cars the track simply isn’t big enough. Arguably the biggest problem Suzuka has is Fuji. The Fuji Speedway is a much wider circuit whose brief appearance on the F1 calendar is remembered for Massa and Kubica going hammer and tong for almost an entire lap in the pouring rain. It may not be as good to drive as Suzuka but for the show, as F1 is trying to achieve, it is surely a better circuit. If the logistics for the track were better, then Suzuka would certainly have to up its game. (This one's going to have some opposition)

Super Formula (RSS Supreme) @ Suzuka

Not a bad track but a case in knowing your limits. Who thought it was a good idea to run GT cars there? Macau is not known for its wheel-to-wheel racing so who thought to put bigger, faster, more aero-dependant cars on it?

BMW M4 GT3 (Bayro 4 GT3) @ Macau