MEDLAND: Could any circuit really run an F1 race backwards?

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emailBy Chris Medland | 12 hours ago

I’ve got to admit, this is a column I didn’t think I’d be writing because I didn’t think it would ever be a credible idea.

A couple of weeks ago, Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle said it wasn’t silly to think about the option of trying to run the circuit in reverse in order to host more Formula 1 races this season. And I thought it was silly, but of course a circuit promoter trying to make as much money as possible wouldn’t want to close a door.

Yet after having a few weeks for the idea to stew, Charles Leclerc brought up the idea himself during a conference call with the media early on Wednesday morning, and said how cool it would be.

And I still thought it was silly.

But I’ve not driven an F1 car, and I’m not the one who has to face the risks. So if an F1 driver likes the idea and wants to see it implemented — he pointed out that he’s actually done it at lower racing levels before — then who am I to dismiss it?

So that got us at RACER thinking. Not just Silverstone, but could any circuit currently on the calendar actually host a race in reverse? The FIA might well disagree with these very basic assessments, but we’re going to give it a massively optimistic look and pick out what would become some of the highlights at certain venues. Let’s run through them…

Australia – Albert Park

No. As a temporary circuit, it takes too long to build. If there were no grandstands and it was behind closed doors, then maybe there would be more potential, but the run-off at the current final corner — what would become the new first corner — is basically non-existent.

Bahrain – Bahrain International Circuit

This certainly has potential. There are big run-off areas almost everywhere, but like Melbourne, the corner that would become Turn 1 doesn’t have the space and would need reprofiling. It’s the only corner that really needs attention, though.

Vietnam – Hanoi City Circuit

This one’s a no. Untested in its regular guise, and there are huge straights that need loads of extra space beyond the following corner.

China – Shanghai International Circuit

A firm no despite it being a permanent track, because of its unique layout. There’s no potential to extend run-off at what would become the first corner because of the long straight directly behind it.

Netherlands – Zandvoort

Another no (this is going well, isn’t it?). Loads of work was needed just to make this track safe in its normal layout. They’ve done an incredible job at adapting it given the lack of space though, and if safety wasn’t an issue, running in reverse would lead to an amazing, high-speed, banked first corner.

Spain – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

For a while I was getting my hopes up here, as the run-off space is pretty good in most corners regardless of direction. But then you reach what is currently a brilliant place to watch an F1 car — Campsa — and it all falls apart. Turn 9 going the normal way is a generally flat-out high speed right-hander, and in reverse you’d arrive at a higher speed after a long straight and there’s no space on the exit. Boo.

Monaco – Monte Carlo

It’s already canceled for this year, and if we’re being honest, if you were trying to add it as a new venue today it probably wouldn’t be permitted even as it is. But imagine a braking zone that starts inside the tunnel, or the downhill run to Ste Devote from Casino Square…
It’s already relatively common to see someone going in the opposite direction at La Rascasse. Image by Motorsport Images

Azerbaijan – Baku City Circuit

This track is crazy enough for drivers as it is before you start trying to do it in reverse. Some turns could switch run-off thanks to the space offered by roads, but others — such as what would become the first two high-speed corners after a huge flat-out run to start the lap – would require fresh underwear every lap, at best. The section around the old town would still be pretty remarkable, too.

Canada – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

There seems to be a few too many trees and walls to get rid of on this one, but there would be some very cool corners, too. And none more so than the hairpin approached at crazy speeds after a small kink. Guaranteed action.

France – Paul Ricard

This definitely could, not that it has enjoyed a lot of love since returning to the calendar. The fact it was redesigned as a test track means there is loads of space if drivers get it wrong in basically any direction. Signes would be easy flat given the approach, but things could get interesting at the end of the Mistral Straight running the other way.