Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Ranking the Top 100+ F1 Greatest Races

  1. Ranking the Top 100+ F1 Greatest Races
  2. Ranking F1’s Greatest Races (Detailed Explanations)

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?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Sprout Blog by Crimson Themes.