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Top 5 Grands Prix to attend in 2021 for... on-track action
Published by Rob Watts on 07 December, 2020
As the 2020 Formula 1 season comes to a close, our minds are already focused on next year and ticking a few more tracks off our F1 bucket list. To give you a helping hand with yours, here are our top five grands prix to attend for the best on-track action.
2021 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX | 3rd - 6th June 2021
Baku City Circuit, Baku
Baku has become a bit of a fans’ favourite in recent seasons due to the often-unpredictable nature of the races held there. Despite its tight and twisty layout, the Azerbaijani capital has often produced some tense and exciting racing, and more overtakes than you’d usually expect from a street track.
The 2019 race saw Valtteri Bottas seize the title lead with a stunning victory, but it’s also remembered for a tense climax and the way the Finn fought off late pressure from teammate Lewis Hamilton to secure the win.
A year earlier it was Hamilton’s turn to take to the top step after a chaotic race during which Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo collided. But the year before, Ricciardo was able to reach the flag, as he emerged victorious from an incident-packed race with Williams’ Lance Stroll scoring a shock maiden F1 podium.
Best place to watch: Absheron/Main Grandstand (near Turn 1)
2021 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX | 1st - 4th July 2021
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
A superb choice for fans seeking plenty of on-track action, the Austrian Grand Prix has delivered plenty in recent years. With its epic backdrop of the stunning Styrian mountains, the Red Bull Ring offers one of the better spectator experiences on the calendar with its steep elevation changes and sweeping panoramic views.
This year, the Austrian Grand Prix became F1’s season-opener for the first time, and in an entertaining race, we witnessed three safety cars, a first-ever podium for Lando Norris, and just 11 drivers reaching the chequered flag.
In the 2019 race, Verstappen’s late pass on Charles Leclerc sent the crowd wild as he secured the first win for a Honda-powered car since 2006; while a year prior to that, the Dutchman held off both Ferraris to take a dramatic and unexpected victory after both Mercedes failed to finish.
Best place to watch: South West or Red Bull Grandstands (near Turn 1)
2021 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX | 10th - 13th June 2021
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a popular one with fans due to its location and vibrant atmosphere, and it’s also a worth attending for the on-track action too… of which there’s usually plenty!
Last year’s race is best remembered for the post-race scenes in parc ferme when Sebastian Vettel swapped his P2 board with that of winner Hamilton’s - a result of his fury at being stripped of the win for an illegal overtaking manoeuvre on his rival.
Prior to last year’s controversy, Vettel’s overtaking masterclass was the highlight in 2017 as he scythed back through the field after picking up damage on Lap 1. With its long back straight, hairpin chicane, and the notorious ‘wall of champions’ it’s rare for a race here to pass without incident.
Best place to watch: Either Hairpin ( Grandstand 24 or 34) or the opening corners (G11-12)
2021 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX | 29th July - 1st August 2021
Hungaroring, Budapest
A mainstay on the calendar now for more than three decades, the popular Hungarian Grand Prix has shelved its early reputation for being a slow, ponderous circuit with few overtaking opportunities.
In recent years, the Hungaroring has more often than not delivered entertaining races, and the 2019 event was as good as they get. Despite Verstappen placing his Red Bull on pole, it was Hamilton who took the spoils, making his decisive overtake with just three laps to go after a race-long battle with the Red Bull driver.
We were also treated to a couple of barnstorming races there to kick-start the hybrid era, with Ricciardo scoring an unexpected win in the wet in 2014 while a year later, an incident-filled race saw Vettel take the spoils for Ferrari with Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat grabbing his first F1 podium.
Best place to watch: The last corner (Silver Grandstand 3-4, Red Bull Grandstand)
2021 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX | 21st - 24th October 2021
Circuit of The Americas, Austin
The racetrack more commonly referred to as ‘COTA’ has been a popular addition to the F1 calendar since its maiden race in 2012. Some memorable grands prix have been held there since with Ricciardo once describing it as “the best overtaking circuit on the calendar.”
A couple of years back, we were treated to a thrilling United States Grand Prix as Kimi Räikkönen - then racing for Ferrari - ended his 113-race winless streak with a narrow victory ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton.
Prior to that, the 2015 race was one of the tensest and most dramatic races held here, with Hamilton prevailing in his title battle with teammate Nico Rosberg after an action-paced race during which only 12 cars reached the finish.
Best place to watch: Turn 1 or Turn 15
ATTEND A RACE IN 2021 WITH GRAND PRIX EVENTS
Grand Prix Events offers premium Formula 1 travel and ticket services to all destinations on the F1 calendar. Book now and secure your access to a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2021.