As an avid F1 Fan, I want three things from a grand prix: (1) Changing Weather, (2) Strategy Calls, and (3) Battles.
These are my favorite races that I always recommend because they are the most dramatic, exhilarating and iconic races to meet this criteria. Let me know if you think a different race should be on this list! This is the short and sweet version, check out this post for the full rundown of the races.
Top Tier – Legendary Status (All Three Criteria + Historic Significance)
1. 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix: Last-lap championship drama between Hamilton and Massa in rain, iconic “Is that Glock?” moment decides title on final corner.
2. 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix: Three-way title fight, Vettel’s spin and recovery, constant rain threats, multiple leaders, Hamilton retirement from lead.
3. 1986 Australian Grand Prix: Three-way title decider, Mansell’s dramatic tire explosion at 180mph, Prost’s strategic masterclass for title.
4. 2019 German Grand Prix: Mercedes’ anniversary disaster, chaos in changing conditions, multiple crashes, constant lead changes, Verstappen victory.
5. 1998 Belgian Grand Prix: 13-car pileup, Schumacher-Coulthard collision and garage confrontation, Jordan’s first win in treacherous conditions.
Exceptional Races (Multiple Strong Elements)
6. 2011 Canadian Grand Prix: Four-hour rain delay, Button’s six pit stops to victory, last-lap pass on Vettel.
7. 2005 Japanese Grand Prix: Räikkönen’s last-lap win from 17th, Alonso’s 130R pass on Schumacher, perfect strategy execution.
8. 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix: Verstappen’s “save of the century”, multiple red flags, incredible wet weather driving display.
9. 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Vettel-Hamilton controversy, safety cars, Ricciardo victory from 10th, dramatic finish.
10. 2020 Turkish Grand Prix: Hamilton’s 7th title, slippery track conditions, multiple leaders, last-lap drama.
Excellence in Action (Consistently Dramatic)
11. 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix: First-lap chaos, Alonso defense masterclass, Ocon’s maiden win, multiple strategic battles.
12. 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix: Button’s first win, champions charging from back, changing conditions.
13. 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix: Hamilton-Rosberg wheel-to-wheel battle throughout, perfect racing display.
14. 2023 Dutch Grand Prix: Weather chaos, strategic gambles, multiple leaders, intense battles.
15. 2021 São Paulo Grand Prix: Hamilton’s charge from back in sprint and race, epic recovery drive.
High Drama Races
16. 1995 European Grand Prix: Schumacher’s hunt of Alesi in rain, championship-deciding drive.
17. 1987 British Grand Prix: Mansell’s legendary hunt of Piquet, crowd-pleasing home victory.
18. 1993 European Grand Prix: Senna’s masterclass at Donington, first lap from 5th to 1st in rain.
19. 2008 Singapore Grand Prix: First night race, Crashgate scandal, dramatic finish.
20. 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Vettel’s pit lane to podium charge, Räikkönen’s radio messages.
Notable Mentions (Strong Single Elements)
21. 2016 Monaco Grand Prix: Red Bull’s pit stop disaster, Hamilton strategic win.
22. 2020 Italian Grand Prix: Gasly’s maiden win, rare podium without top teams.
23. 2018 German Grand Prix: Vettel crash, Hamilton recovery, “In in in” radio drama.
24. 2021 Italian Grand Prix: Hamilton-Verstappen crash, McLaren 1-2.
25. 2013 British Grand Prix: Multiple tire explosions, strategic chaos.
Strong Strategic Battles
26. 2000 German Grand Prix: Barrichello’s first win, perfect tire strategy in rain from 18th.
27. 1992 Monaco Grand Prix: Senna-Mansell battle on different tires, closest Monaco finish.
28. 2021 French Grand Prix: Red Bull’s perfect strategy trap, Verstappen’s penultimate lap pass.
29. 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix: Hamilton hunts down Verstappen, Mercedes strategy masterclass.
30. 1988 Japanese Grand Prix: Senna’s title-winning recovery drive in wet conditions.
Championship-Defining Moments
31. 1989 Japanese Grand Prix: Prost-Senna collision, controversial championship decision.
32. 2013 Malaysia Grand Prix: “Multi-21” controversy, team orders ignored.
33. 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Hamilton’s tactical backing-up of Rosberg.
34. 2016 Malaysia Grand Prix: Hamilton engine failure changes title momentum.
35. 1994 Australian Grand Prix: Schumacher-Hill collision decides championship.
Weather-Affected Classics
36. 1984 Monaco Grand Prix: Senna’s breakthrough in rain, controversial early finish.
37. 1996 Spanish Grand Prix: Schumacher’s “Regenmeister” performance, only six finishers.
38. 2007 European Grand Prix: Multiple spins at same corner in rain.
39. 2008 Monaco Grand Prix: Wet race chaos, Hamilton’s recovery win.
40. 2007 Japan Grand Prix: Extreme wet conditions, multiple safety cars.
Strategic Masterclasses
41. 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix: Verstappen victory from 10th, Ferrari strategy errors.
42. 2015 Malaysia Grand Prix: Vettel’s first Ferrari win, perfect strategy.
43. 2013 Australia Grand Prix: Seven different leaders, tire strategy key.
44. 2012 Belgium Grand Prix: Button’s dominant win, multiple strategies.
45. 2010 China Grand Prix: Button’s tire strategy wins in changing conditions.
Dramatic Battles
46. 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Leclerc-Verstappen DRS tactics, multiple leaders.
47. 2023 Vegas Grand Prix: 82 overtakes, Leclerc’s last-lap move.
48. 2024 USA Grand Prix: Three-way battle for lead, track limits drama.
49. 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix: Russell’s first win, multiple incidents.
50. 2010 Turkey Grand Prix: Red Bull teammates crash, McLaren battle.
Memorable Incidents
51. 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix: Grosjean’s survival miracle, dramatic finish.
52. 2021 British Grand Prix: Hamilton-Verstappen crash, recovery drive.
53. 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Late drama with tire failures and restart.
54. 2010 Valencia Grand Prix: Webber’s spectacular flip, safety concerns.
55. 2014 British Grand Prix: Räikkönen’s crash, Hamilton recovery.
Historic Moments
56. 1990 Phoenix Grand Prix: Rookie Alesi battles Senna.
57. 1985 Dutch Grand Prix: Lauda’s final win.
58. 1996 Monaco Grand Prix: Panis’s unlikely victory, only three finishers.
59. 2008 Italy Grand Prix: Vettel’s first win, youngest winner record.
60. 2023 Monza Grand Prix: Verstappen’s record tenth consecutive win.
Significant Races
61. 2004 Indianapolis Grand Prix: Closest finish in modern F1.
62. 2006 Hungary Grand Prix: Button’s first win after 113 races.
63. 2012 Italy Grand Prix: Top three from previous race crash victims.
64. 2019 Italian Grand Prix: Leclerc’s defensive masterclass.
65. 2009 Brazil Grand Prix: Button secures title with impressive passes.
Weather Impact Races
66. 2021 Spa Grand Prix: Shortest F1 race ever (rain).
67. 2022 Japanese Grand Prix: Rain-shortened race, points confusion.
68. 2003 USA Grand Prix: Wet weather tire advantages.
69. 2001 Malaysia Grand Prix: Three starts due to monsoon.
70. 1991 Australian Grand Prix: Extreme wet conditions, shortened race.
Strategy-Focused Races
71. 2014 Hungary Grand Prix: Hamilton pit lane to podium.
72. 2013 Germany Grand Prix: Tire management crucial.
73. 2015 China Grand Prix: Hamilton wins with five stops.
74. 2016 Austria Grand Prix: Last lap collision, strategy battle.
75. 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix: Vettel’s tire management win.
Notable Recent Battles
76. 2024 Austria Grand Prix: Norris-Verstappen long battle.
77. 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix: Team radio drama, close racing.
78. 2024 Canadian Grand Prix: Three-way fight for lead.
79. 2023 Australian Grand Prix: Multiple red flags, controversial finish.
80. 2018 Austria Grand Prix: Mercedes double DNF, Verstappen win.
Historical Interest
81. 1991 Spanish Grand Prix: Four-way battle in rain.
82. 1995 Spa Grand Prix: Schumacher win from 16th.
83. 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix: Mansell’s Ferrari debut win.
84. 1988 Canadian Grand Prix: Senna-Prost rivalry begins.
85. 1999 French Grand Prix: Jordan’s surprise win.
Significant Moments
86. 2004 Spa-Francorchamps: Schumacher’s seventh title.
87. 2005 USA Grand Prix: Six-car race controversy.
88. 2009 Spa-Francorchamps: Force India’s first pole.
89. 1994 German Grand Prix: Verstappen pit fire incident.
90. 2002 France Grand Prix: Earliest title win in history.
Best of the Rest
91. 2003 Malaysia Grand Prix: Räikkönen’s first win.
92. 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix: Rosberg debut, Alonso-Schumacher battle.
93. 2006 Monaco Grand Prix: Last Renault-era Alonso Monaco win.
94. 2007 Spa Grand Prix: Late rain chaos.
95. 2002 Australia Grand Prix: Massive first corner crash.
96. 2004 Malaysia Grand Prix: Multi-car battle in mixed conditions.
97. 2003 Australia Grand Prix: New qualifying format impact.
98. 2016 Australia Grand Prix: Alonso crash, Haas points debut.
99. 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix: Multiple red flags at new venue.
100. 2004 Imola Grand Prix: Schumacher-Button battle.
101. 2008 Japanese Grand Prix: Hamilton pole to last to points.
102. 2009 Japan Grand Prix: Weather-affected qualifying drama.
103. 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: Title battle intensity.
104. 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Mixed conditions drama.
105. 2022 Austrian Grand Prix: Ferrari reliability issues.
106. 1999 European Grand Prix: False start chaos.
107. 2003 Spain Grand Prix: New mid-season Ferrari debut.
108. 2009 Singapore Grand Prix: Hamilton retirement drama.
109. 2006 Italy Grand Prix: Schumacher retirement announcement.
110. 2001 Brazil Grand Prix: Schumacher brothers battle.
111. 2013 Australia Grand Prix: Sunday qualifying.
112. 2010 Monaco Grand Prix: Multiple dry weather crashes.
113. 2024 Monza Grand Prix: Multi-car battles.
114. 2018 Hungary Grand Prix: Alonso-Leclerc incident.
115. 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix: Strategy focus.
116. 2023 Monza Grand Prix: Ferrari home podium battle.
117. 2018 Austrian Grand Prix: Haas best finish.
118. 2022 Austrian Grand Prix: Track limits drama.
119. 2009 Japan Grand Prix: Mixed grid racing.
What do you think? Any races you would add to the list? Any era stand out to you as being the best season to tune into?