In the world of Formula One racing, every turn and every bend can make or break the race. The F1 season is filled with different challenges, from the tight corners of Monaco that bring drivers virtually to a stop to the lightning-fast bends of Las Vegas where F1 pilots barely brake. Every track pushes the drivers’ limits in different ways.
Let’s delve into the world of Formula One, where speed rules combined with technical mastery reign supreme, and explore the fastest and slowest corners on the planet’s most famous tracks.
The Slowest Corners in F1
It’s not surprising that two of the slowest corners in F1 can be found at Monaco. The Monaco GP is famous for its tight corners as drivers zip around the streets of the luxury principality perched on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
1. Circuit de Monaco – Loews Hairpin (27mph / 45kph)
The Loews Hairpin in Monaco is legendary for its demand for precise handling. Located in the center of Monte Carlo, this corner forces drivers to decelerate dramatically, navigating a 180-degree turn that practically doubles back on itself. At just 27mph (45kph), the Loews Hairpin is the pinnacle of slow corners in Formula One. This corner is the epitome of classic Formula One racing and forces drivers to show the utmost patience. If drivers get this corner wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic.
2. Circuit de Monaco – Nouvelle Chicane & Anthony Noghes (34mph / 55kph)
Monaco’s Circuit de Monaco features yet another slow corner, the Nouvelle Chicane & Anthony Noghes. This chicane complex presents drivers with a series of tight turns that require expertly timed braking and smooth acceleration. At 34mph (55kph), it challenges even the most seasoned drivers and adds an element of unpredictability to the Monaco GP.
3. Marina Bay Street Circuit – Turn 13 (34mph / 55kph)
Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit is renowned for its night races and technical layout. Turn 13, with a speed of 34mph (55kph), is one of the slowest corners of all F1 bends. Located amid the city skyline, this corner demands finesse as drivers race around the tight bend, battling the glare of the floodlights.
The Fastest Corners in F1
Not all F1 corners require extreme braking like the ones found in the Monaco GP. In certain races like Las Vegas Strip Circuit, drivers hardly brake at all.
1. Las Vegas Strip Circuit – Turn 17 (195mph / 315kph)
Las Vegas, famous for its glitz and glamour, also hosts one of the fastest corners in Formula One racing. Turn 17 on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit sees cars hurtling down the track at a breathtaking 195mph (315kph). This high-speed corner is a test of aerodynamics and bravery as drivers push the limits of their cars.
2. Las Vegas Strip Circuit – Turn 13 (192mph / 310kph)
Another standout corner on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit is Turn 13, where cars reach speeds of 192mph (310kph). This sweeping curve demands commitment from drivers as they battle the rapid changes in elevation and lateral forces.
3. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – Courbe Paul Frere & Blanchimont (192mph / 310kph)
Belgium’s Circuit is revered by drivers and fans for its tricky layout and gorgeous surroundings. The Courbe Paul Frere & Blanchimont corner is one of the fastest and most daunting corners on the circuit, with speeds reaching 192mph (310kph). Drivers must exhibit nerves of steel as they fly through this high-speed chicane.
Corners separate the good Formula One drivers from the great, providing the ultimate test. If you want to see how drivers choose to put the excellent engineering of their cars to the test when they tackle the slowest corners in the F1, don’t miss the Monaco GP and pay special attention to the Loews Hairpin and the Nouvelle Chicane & Anthony Noghes, where drivers need to decelerate to just (27mph / 45kph) and (34mph / 55kph).
If you’re instead looking for speed, then the Las Vegas Grand Prix is the race for you. During turns 17 and 13, drivers need to be extremely light on the brakes unless they want to be overtaken. Drivers tend to fly through these corners at (195mph / 315kph) and (192mph / 310kph)!
