Formula 1 tracks offer a combination of twisty sections and long straights. Some of them are short, but some of them are over 1000 metres long. But what are the longest straights in F1?
To rank the longest straights in F1 calendar, we’ve measured the distances between two apexes of turns. Technically, there are sections which have longer distance covered with full throttle, but even a slight turn, is considered a turn for this ranking, which ranks Baku and Las Vegas much lower.
The Longest Straights In F1
To rank the longest straights in the F1 calendar, we’ve measured the length of the distances between two apexes of turns.
- Miami International Autodrome – 1310 metres
- Shanghai International Circuit – 1280 metres
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – 1270 metres
- Monza – 1220 metres
- Baku Street Circuit – 1200 metres
- Yas Marina – 1118 metres
- Las Vegas – 1100 metres
- SPA – 785 metres
8. Spa Francorchamps – 785 Metres
The Kemmel straight, located at the Spa Francorchamps circuits, is the 8th longest straight on the F1 calendar. Spa Francorchamps is also known as the longest track in Formula 1, measuring 7.004 km. The long straight starts right after the drivers make a huge descent to Eau Rouge and then ascent to Raidillon. The Kemmel straight is 785 metres long, and provides one of the best overtaking opportunity throughout the lap.
The Kemmel Straight has provided us with numerous iconic battles, including the “BUT HERE COMES SEBASTIAN VETTEL” from the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, when Vettel overtook Hamilton for the lead of the race. Another classic is Mika Hakkinen using the lapped Ricardo Zonta to surprise Michael Schumacher with a move on his way to the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix win.
But for the F1blast team, the absolutely coldest and most memorable moment is when Kimi Raikkonen drove into the cloud of smoke caused by an engine failure ahead. The Iceman has not lifted his foot off the gas even for a brief moment, despite not knowing what’s ahead.
7. Las Vegas – 1100 Metres
The newest circuit on the F1 calendar, which hosted its first Grand Prix in 2023, is yet to deliver more battles on the long straight. The drivers go through the strip flat out for almost 2000 metres, but there is one slight turn 13, which puts Las Vegas much lower on the list.
Although the straight is only 1100 metres long, it’s simply the best straight, this year and on the 2025 calendar as well. Drivers go through the strip, flat out, driving by the most iconic casinos in the world. What makes it even better is the fact Las Vegas Grand Prix is a night race, and all the neons shine bright along the circuit. Although not the longest, it’s certainly the most photographed straight on the calendar.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 16: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Source: Mark Thompson, Red Bull Content Pool
During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Ferrari SF-23 driven by Carlos Sainz achieved an impressive speed of 366km/h, only a couple km/h less than an all-time record set by Bottas during the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.
6. Yas Marina – 1118 mETRES
Slightly longer than the Vegas’s straight, Yas Marina has been on the calendar for many years now, and delivered plenty of great season finales, such as the 2010 F1 Final battle between Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton and Webber.
The Yas Marina has been designed by Herman Tilke, and has been a controversial circuit, which struggled to deliver overtaking opportunities. But the one place where overtaking is possible for all cars, especially with DRS, is the long straight between turns 5 and 6. Spanning 1118 metres from apex to apex, drivers push hard, knowing it’s their best chance for success.
Our favourite moment from this straight, is yet again Kimi Raikkonen, not giving a single f*ck about warming his tyres during the safety car.
5. Baku City Street Circuit – 1200 metres
Baku is another track designed by Herman Tilke, which has a super-long straight. This would have been on top of the rankings of circuits, where drivers go flat out, but there small turns at the end of the 3rd sector, that push this circuit all the way to 5th place.
However, this is the place where F1 drivers reach one of the biggest speeds on the calendar. This straight is also the 3rd longest start/finish straight, as positions 6-9 are not the straights where F1 races start. Although Baku has a short distance to Turn 1, on every single lap the drivers have a great chance to either do the overtake, or prepare a divebomb into the first turn.
In 2017, we saw Daniel Ricciardo dive down the inside to perform a triple overtake, and just a year later, when trying to overtake Max Verstappen for the lead of the race, both drivers crashed, and did not finish the race.
4. Monza – 1220 metres
One of the most hectic straights in the F1 calendar. The start/finish straight on Monza is 1220 metres long, and starts with an exit from the Parabolica (Curva Alboreto), which is one of the most difficult turns on the whole circuit. A good exit allows drivers to build up speed quickly, and then make an attact into turn 1.
Thanks to Monza, Italy has hosted the most F1 races in the history, and it’s easier to list the Grand Prixs where there was no crash into turn 1, than to list the ones with a crash. Monza is so iconic, it’s hard to list down all the great moments that happened on the 4th longest straight on the calendar, but there is one unique moment.
The 1971 Italian Grand Prix is a race, which had the closest top3 finish ever. Peter Gethin won the race by 0.01 second ahead of Ronnie Peterson, and 0.09 second ahead of François Cevert. The top 5 was separated by only 0.61 second.
Finish of the 1971 Italian Grand Prix. Source: Wikipedia.com
3. Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – 1270 metres
Autódromo Hermanos Rodrígues is home to the Mexican Grand Prix. A track which is unique in all different aspects. It has the longest start/finish straight, which at the same time is the 3rd longest straight on the whole calendar. Additionally, the track has the highest altitude, as it’s located over 2200 metres above sea level. At this height, the air is much thinner, so the drag is lower, and drivers reach even higher speeds than in any other circuits.
In 2016, the Williams of Valtteri Bottas has registered the speed of 372.54 km/h, which has been the highest speed in Formula 1 for the last 8 years, and it may be impossible to beat it with current specification of the F1 car.
2. Shanghai International Circuit – 1280 metres
The Shanghai International Circuit is yet another track designed by Herman Tilke. Opened in 2004, hosted a total of 16 races between 2004 and 2019, and in 2024 came back to the F1 calendar for it’s 17th Grand Prix. The long straight in the second half of the lap, with a length of 1280 metres, starts with a tight exit from a snail-like section of the track.
For drivers, it’s extremely important to manage their tyres, as the front left tyre takes a huge load each time they exit the corner and go flat out. With damaged tyres, drivers will lack the initial grip and speed, resulting in dropping through the order like a stone.
One of the most iconic moments, is at the same time one of the most bizarre crashes that happened in F1. In 2010, Sebastian Buemi’s wheels detached, leaving him no control of the car.
1. Miami International Autodrome – 1310 metres
The Miami International Autodrome beats the Shanghai International Circuit by a mere 30 metres, but it’s enough to put it first on the list. The Miami Grand Prix took the calendar by storm, as it was one of the most expensive race to attend you could imagine, only for the Las Vegas Grand Prix to steal the prime spot.
To be honest, Miami International Autodrome didn’t deliver any great races, nor amazing manouvers or crashes on the long straight, so it’s a bit disappointing to put it on top of the list of the longest straights in F1, but we can’t argue with maths.
The most memorable moment is the 2024 Grand Prix, when Max Verstappen knocked over a bollard at the exit to the long straight, which caused a virtual safety car, allowed Lando to pit ahead of Max and secure his maiden victory.
The Impact Of The Longest Straights In F1 On Top Speed
Whenever teams visit an F1 track, they have to come up with a setup that provides the best compromise between grip, downforce, and the length of the straights. Almost always a circuit that has a long straight, forces teams to go for the lower-downforce set-ups. Even if the drivers lose time in corners, the long straight allows them to compensate it. So even though circuits like Spa Francorchamps or Shanghai International Circuit are quite twisty, teams often put more emphasis on making the rear wings more flat, to have the benefits on the Longest Straights.