How Many Turns Are In A Formula 1 Track?
Unlike a standard NASCAR track with its classic oval shape and an unchanging number of four turns per lap, Formula 1 is very different. F1 has an incredibly wide variety of tracks, layouts, and races. As such, there is a different number of turns in each race. How many turns are in a Formula 1 track? Keep reading to find out.
Average Number of Turns
Among all 23 unique F1 tracks the number of turns per lap changes dramatically. However, the average number of turns in an F1 is 17. The width and length of these turns have an incredible variety between tracks. Some corners are wide, while others present a sheer 45° angle.
Very few Formula 1 tracks have more than 20 corners. In general, the more turns and the sharper these corners on, the more difficult the track is for a driver to race on.
Tracks With the Most Turns
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, located in Nürburg, Germany, has the most turns out of any F1 track in history. The Nordschleife has an absolutely staggering 160 turns throughout the track's 22.84km length. The track was used extensively between 1927 and 1982 and is one of the longer F1 tracks to be used in competition.
Many of the turns present in the Nordschleife are sharp and require extensive skill and focus to take at the speeds that F1 is known for. Because of the high speeds, long length, and the skill required to race the track, the Nürburgring Nordschleife was eventually taken off the F1 circuit due to the danger it posed to drivers. The track with the most turns currently on the F1 schedule is the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia, with 27 corners.
Track With the Longest Straight
The F1 track with the longest straight currently on the F1 circuit is the Baku City Circuit. While still boasting an above-average 20 turns, The Baku City Circuit also has the longest straight distance in F1. In a 2 km straight section, the Baku City Circuit provides some of the fastest lap times and top speeds reached by F1 drivers. The highest speed ever reached on the straight-away section in Baku City was 337 kph (209 mph).
FAQ
Are turns in F1 banked?
Most F1 tracks do not have banked turns or corners. In the early days of the Formula racing series, many tracks had banked turns to increase the speed of the race. However, as cars became faster and lighter, the banked curves of certain turns proved to be a major safety concern. After some notable driver fatalities, a rule was enacted which banned corners with more than 10% incline. In comparison, a standard NASCAR banked turn has an incline of 33%. Additionally some of F1’s current circuit consists of street courses, which would make the implementation of banked corners almost impossible.