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! If this list is too many words, check out the short and sweet version.
Top Tier – Legendary Status (All Three Criteria + Historic Significance)
1. 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix: Last-lap championship drama between Hamilton and Massa in changing weather conditions, Hamilton passes Glock on final corner of final lap in rain to win championship by one point, devastating home crowd hoping for Massa’s title.
2. 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix: Three-way championship battle between Alonso, Vettel, and Hamilton with unpredictable weather and multiple lead changes. Vettel spins on lap 1, fights back through field while Alonso pushes for title. Hamilton retires from lead, constant rain threats.
3. 1986 Australian Grand Prix: Three-way title decider between Prost, Mansell, and Piquet with multiple crashes and dramatic momentum shifts. Mansell’s tire explosion at 180mph ends his title hopes, Prost wins championship after Rosberg and Piquet tire management issues.
4. 2019 German Grand Prix: Chaotic wet race with multiple crashes, featuring Mercedes’ dramatic struggles and numerous lead changes in their anniversary race. Mercedes’ home race disaster with Hamilton spinning, Leclerc crashing, and Verstappen winning after multiple lead changes in rain.
5. 1998 Belgian Grand Prix: Massive first-lap crash followed by intense racing and unexpected winner in challenging conditions. 3-car pileup on lap 1, Schumacher crashes into Coulthard in fog leading to the infamous “settle this in the garage” moment, Jordan team scores first win with Hill.
Exceptional Races (Multiple Strong Elements)
6. 2011 Canadian Grand Prix: Epic comeback from Button with six pit stops in torrential rain conditions, featuring multiple safety cars. Four-hour rain-delayed race, Button wins after six pit stops and last-lap pass on Vettel, coming from last place.
7. 2005 Japanese Grand Prix: Kimi Räikkönen’s last-lap victory from 17th place, featuring Alonso’s legendary 130R overtake on Schumacher.
8. 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix: Multiple red flags and safety cars in the rain, Verstappen’s incredible recovery after falling to 16th, performs ‘save of the century’ spin, passes 13 cars in 16 laps in heavy rain.
9. 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Chaotic race with multiple safety cars, Vettel deliberately hits Hamilton under safety car, Hamilton loses lead due to loose headrest, Ricciardo wins from 10th.
10. 2020 Turkish Grand Prix: Slippery conditions leading to Hamilton’s 7th title, with multiple lead changes and last-lap drama between Leclerc and Perez.
Excellence in Action (Consistently Dramatic)
11. 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix: Bottas triggers first-corner crash eliminating 5 cars, Ocon wins first race, Alonso’s defensive masterclass against Hamilton, Vettel later disqualified.
12. 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix: Both champions start P15/P17, climb to P3/P4 by lap 6 in wet conditions, Button takes first win after 113 races.
13. 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix: Hamilton-Rosberg duel for 57 laps with 6 position changes, safety car bunches field, both Mercedes survive on failing brakes.
14. 2023 Dutch Grand Prix: Race starts dry, sudden downpour causes chaos, Verstappen recovers from wrong tire choice, Alonso and Gasly battle to podium [ranked higher because I was there!!]
15. 2021 São Paulo Grand Prix: Hamilton disqualified from qualifying, fights from 20th to 5th in sprint, then wins from 10th despite Verstappen defense.
High Drama Races
16. 1995 European Grand Prix: Schumacher hunts down Alesi’s 24-second lead on fresh tires in rain, clinches title with aggressive passes.
17. 1987 British Grand Prix: Mansell recovers 29-second deficit after pit stop, passes Piquet at Stowe after fake move, breaks lap record 11 times.
18. 1993 European Grand Prix: Senna’s masterclass at Donington, from 5th to 1st in opening lap in rain, laps everyone except one car.
19. 2008 Singapore Grand Prix: Controversial Crashgate incident, Massa drives off with fuel hose, Hamilton extends championship lead in first night race.
20. 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Vettel starts from pit lane, twice recovers through field after wing damage, Räikkönen wins with radio drama.
Notable Mentions (Strong Single Elements)
21. 2016 Monaco Grand Prix: Red Bull loses 10-second lead with wrong tires ready, Hamilton wins on ultra-long stint, three crashes in tunnel.
22. 2020 Italian Grand Prix: Hamilton penalty drops him to last, Gasly holds off Sainz for first win, first podium without top three teams since 2012.
23. 2018 German Grand Prix: Vettel crashes from lead at home GP, Hamilton wins from 14th after Mercedes’ “IN IN IN” radio confusion in rain.
24. 2021 Italian Grand Prix: Verstappen-Hamilton crash after slow pit stop, McLaren 1-2 with Ricciardo leading every lap, first win since 2012.
25. 2013 British Grand Prix: Four left-rear tire explosions including Hamilton from lead, Rosberg wins despite own tire issues, Webber recovers from 15th.
Strong Strategic Battles
26. 2000 German Grand Prix: Barrichello first win from 18th, perfect tire choice in sudden rain, passes Hakkinen on slicks in wet conditions.
27. 1992 Monaco Grand Prix: Senna-Mansell battle last 3 laps on different tires after late puncture, closest Monaco finish with 0.2s gap.
28. 2021 French Grand Prix: Red Bull undercuts Mercedes twice, Verstappen passes Hamilton on penultimate lap after two-stop gamble and 18-second deficit.
29. 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix: Hamilton hunts down Verstappen with late strategy gamble, gap closes from 20 seconds, passes with 4 laps left.
30. 1988 Japanese Grand Prix: Senna stalls from pole, recovers from 14th, passes Prost in wet conditions to win first title despite pressure.
Championship-Defining Moments
31. 1989 Japanese Grand Prix: Infamous Prost-Senna collision at chicane, Senna wins but gets disqualified, championship settled off-track.
32. 2013 Malaysia Grand Prix: “Multi-21” controversy as Vettel ignores team orders to pass Webber, Hamilton-Rosberg team orders in Mercedes.
33. 2016 Malaysia Grand Prix: Hamilton’s engine explodes while leading, gives Rosberg championship advantage, first Ricciardo-Verstappen Red Bull 1-2.
34. 2015 United States Grand Prix: Hamilton clinches title in mixed conditions, Rosberg error from pole, Räikkönen recovers from massive crash with barrier.
35. 1994 Australian Grand Prix: Controversial Schumacher-Hill collision decides championship, Mansell wins final race in F1.
Weather-Affected Classics
36. 1984 Monaco Grand Prix: Legendary rain-soaked race, Senna’s breakthrough drive from 13th to 2nd in inferior Toleman, controversial red flag.
37. 1996 Spanish Grand Prix: Schumacher earns “Regenmeister” nickname, wins by 45 seconds in rain, only six cars finish.
38. 2007 Europe Grand Prix: Multiple cars spin off at same corner in rain, including Hamilton, Alonso wins in changing conditions.
39. 2008 Monaco Grand Prix: Wet race chaos, Hamilton hits wall but recovers to win, Massa spins multiple times, only 9 cars finish.
40. 2007 Japan Grand Prix: Extremely wet conditions behind safety car for 19 laps, Vettel crashes into Webber under safety car, Hamilton wins.
Strategic Masterclasses
41. 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix: Verstappen victory from 10th, Ferrari strategy errors.
42. 2015 Malaysia Grand Prix: Vettel’s first Ferrari win, outstrategizes Mercedes in heat, Verstappen scores first points.
43. 2013 Australia Grand Prix: Part of qualifying held on Sunday due to rain, Räikkönen wins with two-stop strategy versus three-stop field.
44. 2012 Belgium Grand Prix: First-corner crash eliminates multiple contenders, Räikkönen shows overtaking masterclass, Button wins from pole.
45. 2010 China Grand Prix: Wet start causes chaos, Button wins with tire strategy, Red Bull teammate battle in changing conditions.
Dramatic Battles
46. 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Leclerc-Verstappen DRS games and position swapping in final laps, five leaders in first 17 laps.
47. 2023 Vegas Grand Prix: Leclerc last-lap overtake on Perez for 2nd, 82 overtakes in race, Verstappen wins despite 5-second penalty.
48. 2024 USA Grand Prix: Three-way battle between Verstappen-Sainz-Norris, Leclerc takes first at turn 1 on Lap 1 from fourth, multiple track limit violations.
49. 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix: Russell’s first win, Hamilton-Verstappen collision, Magnussen shock pole, Leclerc-Verstappen early crash.
50. 2010 Turkey Grand Prix: Red Bull teammates crash while leading (beginning a long rivalry between teammates and is the reason Mark Webber negotiated “no second driver” into Oscar Piastri’s contract a decade later), Hamilton-Button fight for lead, McLaren allows them to race unlike Red Bull.
Memorable Incidents
51. 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix: Grosjean survives horrific fireball crash, splits car in half, Perez loses podium with engine fire on lap 54.
52. 2021 British Grand Prix: Hamilton-Verstappen crash at 180mph on lap 1, Hamilton overcomes 10-second penalty to pass Leclerc with 2 laps left.
53. 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Verstappen crashes from lead with tire failure, Hamilton goes straight at restart, Perez wins, Vettel podium.
54. 2010 Valencia Grand Prix: Webber’s spectacular backflip crash, Hamilton penalty controversy, Kobayashi last-lap passes.
55. 2014 British Grand Prix: Räikkönen’s massive first lap crash causes red flag, Hamilton wins from 6th, Bottas charges from 14th to 2nd in a Williams.
Historic Moments
56. 1990 Phoenix Grand Prix: Rookie Alesi leads 30 laps in inferior Tyrrell, fights Senna wheel-to-wheel twice, Mansell charges from 17th to lead.
57. 1985 Dutch Grand Prix (Zandvoort): Lauda’s final F1 win in career, overtakes teammate Prost in inferior car, battles turbo issues.
58. 1996 Monaco Grand Prix: Only three cars finish in wet race, Panis wins for Ligier from 14th, last French F1 winner until Ocon.
59. 2008 Italy Grand Prix: Vettel’s first win in wet race for Toro Rosso, youngest winner at the time, Hamilton recovery drive from 15th.
60. 1998 Canada Grand Prix: “Wall of Champions” claims three champions – Schumacher, Hill, Villeneuve, Wurz podium from back.
Significant Races
61. 2004 Indianapolis Grand Prix: Last lap Schumacher-Barrichello finish separated by 0.011s, closest finish in modern F1, team orders controversy.
62. 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Hamilton backs up Rosberg into rivals despite team orders, needed Rosberg to finish 4th or lower to win title.
63. 2012 Italy Grand Prix: Top 3 finishers were all taken out previous race by Grosjean, Hamilton wins before Mercedes announcement, Perez charges to 2nd.
64. 2019 Italian Grand Prix: Leclerc defends aggressively against Hamilton, wins Ferrari’s home race, Vettel spins and receives penalty.
65. 2009 Brazil Grand Prix: Button secures championship with brilliant passes in early laps, three first-lap crashes, Webber wins from pole.
Weather Impact Races
66. 2021 Spa Grand Prix: Shortest F1 race ever (3 laps behind safety car), Russell scores first podium after qualifying heroics in wet.
67. 2011 Hungary Grand Prix: Button wins 200th race start in changing conditions, Hamilton spins five times and makes six pit stops, mixed strategies throughout.
68. 2003 USA Grand Prix: Schumacher masters wet conditions while others struggle, Bridgestone tire advantage in rain, Coulthard podium from back.
69. 2001 Malaysia Grand Prix: Three different race starts due to monsoon conditions, multiple strategy gambles, Schumacher dominates in wet.
70. 1991 Australian Grand Prix: Shortest race by laps (14) until Spa 2021, extreme rain conditions, Senna wins by ‘driving slow’.
Strategy-Focused Races
71. 2014 Hungary Grand Prix: Hamilton rises from pit lane to podium, Ricciardo wins after safety car shuffle, Alonso nearly wins in Ferrari.
72. 2013 Germany Grand Prix: Loose wheel from Webber hits cameraman, Grosjean challenges Vettel for lead, Räikkönen last-lap overtakes.
73. 2015 China Grand Prix: Hamilton wins despite five pit stops, multiple first-lap crashes, unusual podium after chaos.
74. 2016 Austria Grand Prix: Hamilton-Rosberg last lap collision, Verstappen holds off Räikkönen for podium, multiple lead changes.
75. 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix: Vettel wins his 200th race start on deteriorating tires, Ferrari mechanic injured in Räikkönen pit stop, Gasly 4th for Toro Rosso.
Notable Recent Battles
76. 2024 Austria Grand Prix: Norris challenges Verstappen for 30+ laps, multiple track limit penalties affect results.
77. 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix: Verstappen-engineer radio arguments about pace, Norris challenges for lead, Piastri podium after sprint win.
78. 2024 Canadian Grand Prix: Three-way fight between Verstappen-Russell-Norris, Hamilton recovery drive, multiple safety cars.
79. 2023 Australian Grand Prix: Three red flags in last 3 laps, controversial restart grid positioning, Verstappen wins chaotic finish.
80. 2012 Malaysia Grand Prix: Alonso wins in inferior Ferrari, Hamilton/Button suffer 10-second pit stops, Perez nearly wins before late mistake.
Historical Interest
81. 1991 Spanish Grand Prix: Four-way battle in rain between Mansell, Senna, Prost, and Schumacher, multiple spins and position changes.
82. 1995 Spa Grand Prix: Schumacher wins from 16th in changing conditions, intense battle with Hill throughout race.
83. 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix: Mansell wins Ferrari debut despite gearbox issues, Senna leads early until reliability problems.
84. 1988 Canadian Grand Prix: Senna-Prost duel shows first cracks in McLaren relationship, Boutsen podium for Benetton
85. 1999 French Grand Prix: Frentzen wins in rain for Jordan, multiple spinoffs including championship contenders, surprise podium.
Significant Moments
86. 2004 Spa-Francorchamps: Schumacher’s seventh title clinching race, mixed conditions create strategy chaos, Räikkönen charge to podium.
87. 2005 USA Grand Prix: Only six cars start race due to Michelin tire safety issues, Ferrari 1-2 in controversial finish.
88. 2009 Spa-Francorchamps: First-lap crash eliminates title contenders, Force India’s Fisichella takes shock pole and podium.
89. 1994 German Grand Prix: Jos Verstappen’s Benetton catches fire in pit stop, multiple crashes, Hill wins after Schumacher’s problems.
90. 2002 France Grand Prix: Schumacher clinches earliest championship title in F1 history (July), controversial team orders throughout season.
Best of the Rest
91. 2003 Malaysia Grand Prix: Räikkönen’s first F1 win, Alonso youngest pole-sitter at the time, multiple first-lap incidents.
92. 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix: Alonso vs Schumacher battle reminiscent of 2005 Imola, Räikkönen charges from last to podium, Rosberg fastest lap in debut.
93. 2022 Japanese Grand Prix: Confusion over points system means Verstappen doesn’t realize he’s champion, race shortened by rain, Gasly safety car incident.
94. 2007 Belgian Grand Prix: Rain causes chaos in closing laps, Ferrari dominates until weather changes, multiple position changes.
95. 2002 Australia Grand Prix: Eight-car crash in first corner, Schumacher and Montoya collide, half the field eliminated.
96. 2004 Malaysia Grand Prix: Multi-car battle between Button, Webber, Coulthard, Räikkönen and Alonso with rain on parts of track.
97. 2003 Australia Grand Prix: New qualifying regulations create mixed grid, Coulthard wins after early safety cars, Montoya penalties.
98. 2016 Australia Grand Prix: Alonso’s spectacular crash red flags race, Vettel leads early but strategy fails, Grosjean surprise points for Haas debut.
99. 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix: Two red flags, multiple safety cars, first Mugello F1 race, unusual podium finishers.
100. 2004 Imola Grand Prix: Schumacher’s ruthless defense against Button, BAR challenge Ferrari dominance, strategy battles.
101. 2008 Japanese Grand Prix: Hamilton drops from pole to last in first three laps, recovers through field, Button shows wet weather prowess.
102. 2010 Korean Grand Prix: Inaugural race, Webber crashes from title lead, Alonso wins in wet conditions, multiple safety cars.
103. 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: Multiple red flags, Hamilton-Verstappen collisions and penalties, championship tension builds.
104. 2006 Monaco Grand Prix: Last Monaco win for Alonso at Renault, Räikkönen’s qualifying fire, surprising podium order.
105. 2022 Austrian Grand Prix: Ferrari engine failures, sprint race weekend drama, multiple track limit penalties.
106. 1999 European Grand Prix: Race starts with false start, then shock crash in real start, multiple lead changes in rain.
107. 2003 Spain Grand Prix: Ferrari debuts new car mid-season, Alonso thrills home crowd with podium challenge, multiple strategy variations.
108. 2009 Singapore Grand Prix: Brake failure causes Hamilton retirement from lead, Vettel penalty for speeding under safety car, Button extends championship lead in dominant Brawn season.
109. 2006 Italy Grand Prix: Button drags fuel rig down pitlane, Schumacher announces retirement after win, Räikkönen charges through field.
110. 2001 Brazil Grand Prix: Schumacher brothers battle in changeable conditions, multiple safety cars, Coulthard wins in chaos.
111. 2013 Australia Grand Prix: Seven different leaders, tire degradation creates mixed strategies, Räikkönen wins return race for Lotus.
112. 2010 Monaco Grand Prix: Multiple crashes in dry conditions, Webber dominates, Trulli and Chandhok’s bizarre crash at Rascasse.
113. 2024 Monza Grand Prix: Multi-car battles throughout field, Charles Leclerc second home win of the season (and I was there!)
114. 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Mixed conditions, Hamilton off in gravel recovers to podium, Russell-Bottas massive crash.
115. 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix: Ferrari strategy disaster, Verstappen wins from 10th, Mercedes double podium.
116. 2023 Monza Grand Prix: Verstappen’s record 10th consecutive win, Ferrari battles for podium at home race, Sainz defensive masterclass.
117. 2018 Austria Grand Prix: Mercedes double DNF, Verstappen wins after early season struggles, Haas best-ever finish.
118. 2009 Japan Grand Prix: Qualifying disaster due to weather, mixed grid creates unusual racing, championship battle intensifies.
119. 2006: Button’s first win.
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?