6 classic F1 street circuit problems

[@WTF1official]

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[@maxx09]

yay

[@Samylton]

With the amount being added recently the answer is nay, it’s taking away their special feeling when F1 turns up to one. But money talks

[@sidewalkere]

Nay. Keep Monaco for the tradition, Albert Park for the season opening and maybe Baku for the drama. All others can die. (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is an awesome track that doesn't count as a street circuit in my book)

[@Oscar-gn6rl]

Yay all day

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

It's "fewer" Matt, not "less street circuits". Easy to remember; "fewer street circuits, more racing!" 😜

[@masonbeck566]

I really do think we need to stop calling Melbourne a street circuit; it’s basically a scenic drive in a car park. Adelaide was a semi permanent street circuit that was actually on heavily used city street. It caused absolute chaos every time we had F1 or Supercars. That’s what real street circuits are about ;).

[@samhobbs6517]

Public roads = street circuit.

[@masonbeck566]

@@samhobbs6517 so is Bathurst by that definition and it’s a stupid one at that. The Miami GP being in a damn car park is just as ridiculous.

[@jettbateman]

Albert park is 100x better IMO

[@samhobbs6517]

@@masonbeck566 yes, Bathurst IS a street circuit.

[@masonbeck566]

@@samhobbs6517 Bathurst is not a street circuit. Just because it is a public road doesn’t make it a street circuit. It was literally purpose built track. I’m not saying it’s a bad track; it’s probably one of the best in the world, but it’s not a street circuit no matter how many people call it that.

[@CrippedGinge]

Don't get me wrong, I love the demonstration of talent we witness in qualifying at Monaco. I think it's quite possibly the hardest thing to do in F1 but the race is always a massive let down and such a precession.

[@dr.science_0177]

Unless the FIA is going to make new generation F1 cars much smaller, Monaco isn't that great of a track for modern day F1

[@ryclemo4942]

even despite that, i still look forward to monaco more than some other tracks

[@forwardpaunganwa4135]

Unless it rains!

[@jsquared1013]

Procession, precession is what happens to objects spinning in space 😜

[@hallquiche]

Imo the Monaco quali, as well as the scenery alone make it worthy of being on the calendar. One of my favourite events of the year.

[@Lburt07]

Video idea: "How do F1 teams choose and sign F1 drivers to their teams?"

[@bourts0127]

Money

[@atozed932]

"Whose daddy has more cash?"

[@Morbi-no7qo]

@@atozed932 thats why i cant become a racing driver.... My dad went buying some milk

[@merching5057]

Daddy’s Cash

[@ShabasRS]

@@Morbi-no7qo and hasn't returned since (sigh)

[@jimmitchell6000]

This is the first I've heard that the Jeddah circuit was being, at least partially, bricks! It's not quite wet cobblestones, but should make for an interesting race! :) (they probably mean the buildings, but who knows?)

[@mango2538]

YOURE TELLING ME THAT PART OF THE CIRCUIT IS GONNA BE PART ON COBBLES !!?!!?!?!

[@Alexoperplexo]

@@mango2538 I mean Indy is, even if it’s only a small bit

[@maxsnow9304]

FIA won't allow that to happen.

[@cs2enjoyerSvk]

Hmm but still very interesting how they can build a complete circuit in less ten a year...how many people must work on that project😀

[@alecjones4135]

Yeah just the buildings...

[@CrazyDiamond238]

Matt: "Bad for overtaking" Baku: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@saltyblade3985]

Bro you can't hate baku it's one of the best tracks on the Callander it provided some interesting races it's one of my favorite And the fixed the drains issues and bumps

[@J_StLou1s]

It's my third favorite track besides interlagos and spa

[@Xenuos]

I love driving it on the f1 games

[@theshevanel]

One word: punctuation.

[@robimedina2979]

Isn't that where checo won? Lol

[@marchelkindangen5906]

"Baku" "Best track of the calendar" Yeah right 😏😏🥴🥴

[@JPD2587]

Matt - you either love or hate street races Also Matt - I don’t love or hate street races

[@jerbear936]

Ah yes f1 in a car park, f1 has good memories from last time.

[@AlpcanAras]

In the US, this story is familiar with me

[@Deltaflot1701]

I've heard on more than one F1 race broadcast, that Monaco's street course is so tight, with so little run off, if it tried to join today as a new race, it wouldn't meet multiple safety requirements, and that the only reason it's still on the schedule is because of all the good press the Monaco race gets with the Great and Good (i.e. the filthy rich)

[@RunningOn7CylindersYT]

As a wise man once said, "you have to be aware on a street circuit"

[@98MTBiker]

alert*

[@RunningOn7CylindersYT]

@@98MTBiker oh yeah haha my bad

[@joela6542]

Canada isn’t necessarily a street circuit it’s more of a hybrid

[@wastefellow2569]

It’s like Albert Park

[@09shadowjet]

And so does Melbourne

[@guilhermeodai]

Yeah, Montreal and Melbourne might be temporary circuits that uses public roads, but the way they're structured doesn't quite give the street circuit vibe from the likes of Monaco, Singapore or Baku

[@justindesilets3526]

@@guilhermeodai Montreal doesn't use public road. it's a circuit in his own.

[@patrickmarcoux8661]

It's hybrid indeed. One half of the track is for cars to access the Montreal Casino. The other half is for cyclists, skaters and pedestrians. In winter (without COVID), only cars to the Casino can access. The track is usually closed about 4 weeks before the GP, and then 10 days after. My bicycle and I live 1km away from the track and enjoy it often.

[@MajesticDemonLord]

"White painted strips aren't a problem in the Wet" Never been a Motorcyclist then, have you? I can confirm that they are in-fact, VERY slippy in the wet.

[@CrippedGinge]

Can confirm I used to ride year round in Scotland, they've gotten better recently by adding bumps and an abrasive material to some up here.

[@AlgotB]

He said thet they aren’t a problem for regular CARS

[@sharlesleglerc]

beat me to it.

[@memolano100]

Lol 😂 I was just thinking the same.

[@ringoferrer2343]

I can confirm that the video is in fact about F1 not motorbikes

[@cedricknarsiso4044]

I just know Bernie Ecclestone's wet dream was a street race on NYC and I would love to see it, just imagine a Central Park section, and a time square section, but It would be a PAIN ON THE ASS closing NYC for 2 days

[@TheRazerx7]

Yes, lets have mt.panorama road as well as rainbow road that would be grat. But seriously a event like the '17 fia gt crash could cause a big problem for some smaller teams at a later point in the season.

[@Krahhf]

If they're gonna race at rainbow road they should at least race at the DS version

[@THIS---GUY]

Bathurst is my favourite track

[@racingray5450]

I love street circuits. It looks cool watching an form of motorsports racing around normal streets. I will admit the problems you said are souly because well... It's a used street for everyone to drive on not just a permanent race track but I think it shows just how good the drivers can really be if they can master both or at least do well 😅. Adding another pice of difficulty that they need to prove they are the best

[@jtdavis62]

I don't mind street circuits, unless they are constructed hastily in Saudi Arabia where no streets existed before. If this weekend's race turns into an embarrassing shit show, Formula One did everything they could to make it happen and they deserve all the blame and fallout.

[@lnnrt0161]

Would be kinda funny to be honest

[@lnnrt0161]

It would just be the perfect confirmation of the already bad image of the track

[@Xenuos]

judging by the map from wikipedia alone, it looks fast but not like there'll be many overtakes except when whatever DRS may be there is used

[@ringoferrer2343]

Saudi Arabia might just be the worst Grand Prix to ever take place, if it even takes place. The circuit is probably barely finished, and the track isnt that good for racing anyway, oh and don't even get me started with the hot stuff with the human rights and things

[@jtdavis62]

@@ringoferrer2343 It's almost as bad as racing in Apartheid South Africa after everyone else boycotted them.

[@scsutton1]

Street circuits give me an added modicum of respect for drivers in all categories, given the concentration needed for upwards of two hours at a time.

[@pixelbart]

1:29, about the electrical shielding issue in Singapore: That issue probably went straight to the software team and then they had the very hard job of convincing the hardware team that it was in fact their problem...

[@9NineVolt]

I think it was Webber who actually had to retire from a race because of electrical interference in Singapore, idk whats going on there but clearly its quite strong

[@lachlanbrowne1655]

I believe there might be some sort of subway tunnel underneath the circuit. I believe so, not 100% sure

[@BjornVanAgtmael]

0:34 Matt always keep dreaming about this 😏😂

[@offline1468]

But wait, Canada is not a street circuit, it was specifically built for the Grand Prix and sits on an island that is only used for racing and the theme park.

[@rekify2026]

Technicly its a street circuit, the circuit is built down after the race and there are some roads that use the circuit

[@Lyzurd]

When a race isn't being held, it is used by the public, so therefore classed as a street circuit.

[@soundscape26]

@@rekify2026 Technically it might be... but isn't affected by most (any?) of the 6 points he made in the video. Then again, after the intro, he didn't mentioned it anymore.

[@nicholasatsaidis3036]

Canada may have a few sections that cars are allowed on for convenience as the track is on its own island which has other attractions on it, but to say it is a public road is very big exaggeration. It is mostly used for cyclists in the summer months and is pretty much closed through the winter.

[@notsobigcheese]

i read somewhere that they constructed the layout based on public roads and pathways way back in time

[@TKsheng]

3:02 imagine sipping a cup of coffee on that balcony watching leclerc go “i am stupid”, or opening your windows to angry v6 dyson engines climbing the hill, or throwing eggs down the balcony during the race 😂

[@cajanrossler8193]

@7:06 i think I remember Antonio overtaking Esteban in Monaco this year

[@Jwm367t]

Small correction - Monaco had at least 2 overtakes. The one you mentioned plus another from Giovinazzi - he even got interviewed about it after the race such was the lack of action that his overtake was the main highlight

[@thekfcboss64]

Controversial opinion here but for all it’s history in the sport and the glamour attached I’d bin Monaco, it’s dreadful racing year in year out, only possible chance of action is rain, an accident or a pass in the pit lane,.

[@DamienE11]

@@thekfcboss64 I agree I want it gone.

[@Krahhf]

@@thekfcboss64 if they're gonna keep monaco they should just have qualifying only

[@mclew1234]

I like the idea of having a purpose built "street" circuit, which i think is what Saudi is going for. Being purpose built you could have a track that is wide enough that overtaking is a reasonable possibility but you also keeping having almost no run offs so it tests a drivers skill & endurance as even a slight mistake can end your day

[@greathps]

I lost it at 3:04 😂Well played wtf1. Well played.

[@The_joker-hm4zs]

Lovely to see the longest bridge in Norway, Drammensbrua, make an appearance on WTF1

[@das_flauschige_animehorn6085]

At what timestamp?

[@pauldevenish]

There are only two 'street' circuits I only enjoy in F1. 1) Baku 🇦🇿 2) Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 🇨🇦 Now a lot of people will say that the CGV is like Albert Park, basically running around a park in the middle of the St Lawrence seaway, but I find it so flowing and has good places to overtake, some great races too - but deep down I'm still a permanent circuit fan.

[@tonypalmer3251]

Anybody else so happy he posted a lot of videos in the same week. I’m not kidding when I say this, I could watch his videos for 700 hours straight with no breaks.

[@MiniMii550]

Turns 9 and 10 at Albert park were always such a major headache for me in my early days of playing f1 that those two turns have grown on me and they're actually one of my favorites on the track now. I'm sad they got removed but I do hope that decision contributes to better racing on the track.

[@belladonnaRoot]

IMO, the challenges of a street circuit are fun; they're all about execution. However....they really need tighter regs on the extra stuff. Things like having specially designed drain covers that can take an F1 car, and a prescribed way to de-oil the track, and setting maximum bump sharpness. Look at Nashville's Indy race for an example of what not to do. As for passing...Joker laps. If passing on-track is impossible, have an extra way for strategy to win out. I am certainly worried about the fresh tarmac at Jeddah though; other racing series have had their fair share of incidents of fresh tarmac peeling up...and I won't be surprised if it happens here. But I do love the idea of building a track that will double as a street. That way, you still get the tight quarters, narrow tracks...at a place that's still designed for racing.

[@schroeder1112]

Don't worry, the Asphalt in Jeddah is totally fine and will provide actually a crazy amount of grip. The only issue is dust. But the Asphalt is totally fine.

[@worbell656]

Can’t beat a tight on the limit street circuit with slot of elevation change

[@Krahhf]

Monaco is beaten

[@CasperEgas]

One of the problems I have with them is that most of them are at a cool location, but you hardly see any of it anyway. The circuit just becomes one big tunnel between high, grey barriers, lacking any character. This has been a problem for all of the newer ones, maybe except for Baku.

[@XenoFireStar]

Street circuits might not be good for racing, but they are great for F1. It allows races to be held in places where there otherwise isnt the space to build a dedicated track, bringing in more fans.

[@Krahhf]

The thing is... F1 *IS* racing

[@AbsoleteAim]

@@Krahhf It's not just racing though

[@jsquared1013]

Inaugural Champ Car San Jose GP: All of the above, plus train track jump! 🤣

[@AKgaming-on8bo]

Longer breaking, slower entry speed and increased difficulty when putting down the power can definitely be seen as a plus for street circuits. More opportunities for mistakes makes for more exciting racing!

[@Hammerhead547]

The last time group c sportscars raced in montreal in 1992 the planned 3 hour race was shelved after 90 minutes due to a huge accident on the back straight that was caused by a manhole cover being sucked up under a car that was passing over it.

[@balduinvontrier128]

"You either love them or hate them. I, personally, am in the middle." lol

[@mullliner]

💀 that really was the dumbest part of the video

[@vaderpt]

When I played the old Micropose F1, city circuits were my favourite. Phoenix and Monaco were ... a must. But, when you think on conventional GPs and you remember the last chicane in Barcelona and you think "What the hell is that for?" or "Why don't you trash that so you can have a faster straight and better overtaking at turn 1 or good preparation for turn 4?

[@mar6635]

6:15 remind me WSBK in Mandalika Street Circuit this year, where some facilities still not finished.

[@moiznoorani2640]

the cheeky Marshall cameo, I see you

[@emmata98]

3:02 no, in Monaco they use cranes, so a normal SC, multiple double yellows, and guiding marshalls are mostly enouth

[@3d_aeroworks]

Was waiting to see a shot of petrov flying through the air of the Malaysian gp when you mentioned "f1 cars don't like bumps".. Lol that was some serious hang-time..

[@sofiacamposyanez2716]

0:35 we can’t just ignore this 😂

[@choobs8511]

If we have a 23 race calendar the number of street circuits should ideally be capped at around 3: Pick your 3 from Monaco, Baku, Jeddah, Singapore or Miami. (Technically Montreal and Melbourne too) Id recommend Monaco, Baku and Singapore. If you had to double the Street Circuit count include everything but Miami, maybe rotate one out every few years. Leave city racing to FE.

[@LEXLUTH-007]

3:04 lmao,Marshal being a marshal waving a red flag

[@Lcngopher]

The first issue reminded me of the indycar race at belle isle in detroit in 2012. The track was literally breaking up from the downforce produced and winter

[@Roguescienceguy]

Fun fact: the best track on the calendar was a street circuit. I am ofcourse talking about Spa. Right up until the early nineties

[@DamienE11]

Albert Park is only partially a street circuit really. There's proper runoff areas all around and part of the circuit is never open to public traffic, even months after the GP. You can not at any point in the year drive the full lap, and the main straight has bollards thrown over it creating a series of chicanes when the GP isn't in town to discourage public traffic from using it even then. It's only really the lakeside drive part that's regularly driven on.

[@jacobwilkins8769]

Hear me out, Grand Prix on a college campus. Few to no classes on Saturdays and Sundays, curvy and well maintained campus roads with most having changes in elevation, bleacher/seating has plenty of space on their parks, and plenty of parking

[@truehunger108]

I honestly prefer Albert park as it is, if you time it right, turn 9 is dive bomb central, as you ride the slipstream from from 8, pull to the inside and bam. Turn 13 is also the same, it's all about exiting the previous corner well.

[@gamerthebanning]

That's on the game. Irl that doesn't work

[@insertchannelnamehere632]

"You'd expect smooth surface" "Not at Street Circuits though" Not at COTA either

[@TheLibermania]

6:58 And still we had one of the greatest motorsport moment of this season in Monaco. Until Lance Stroll jumped in.

[@johngancarcik5682]

I was waiting for this

[@brotf778]

Sees the orange WTF1 thumbnail: Starts watching the video no matter the title because you know it's gonna be a banger

[@simba317]

Lmao Marshall Mathers. He probably counts as a "rogue marshall"? lol

[@shukriconstatine4862]

love the F101 videos the most

[@benn87]

The nice thing for me about tracks like Australia and Canada (especially Canada) is that they somehow don't feel like street circuits at all. Both feel very much like natural race tracks to me.

[@THIS---GUY]

It blew my mind when I found out Bathurst is a street circuit

[@bw8818]

I like street circuits. They are different to that of normal races and i like the variety. These problems are the reasons street races are cool and not the usual. They don't allow overtaking usually but i can bear with that.

[@PhoenixYT-]

I’ve noticed that every street circuit that we’ve raced at this season Red Bull has always dominated (Baku, Monaco ect)

[@Kaizzer]

Ferrari as well was very strong there

[@PhoenixYT-]

@@Kaizzer yeah

[@OneFoxTwoFox]

Historically, Red Bull always has done well in street circuits as their cars are designed with more down force than most in turns. Their cars are also shorter in length than Merc making them more nimble in turns.

[@PhoenixYT-]

@@OneFoxTwoFox yeah agree 👍

[@connorvickers2053]

5:08 I swear every non-australian has no idea how to pronounce "Melbourne"

[@JohnF174]

Mel-burn?

[@Agentcoolguy1]

Hot take: Just straight up delete Monaco from the calendar. It's time has well and truly come and gone, and although it's an iconic circuit, it's also (usually) home to the most boring race of the year.

[@RJSRdg]

I reckon it could be improved relatively easily. It would be very easy to remove the last chicane after the swimming pool just by turning the stand round. More difficult but still doable would be to fill in a little of the corner of the harbour to eliminate the first swimming pool chicane. If done correctly, cars could come straight out of the tunnel, go straight on where the Nouvelle Chicane is, and then take a fast sweeping curve round the edge of the harbour down to Rascasse. Alternatively, make F1 cars smaller - there was plenty of overtaking in the Historic and FE races at Monaco this year.

[@matija8681]

Spain is boring too ❗

[@Lousy_Bastard]

Yes get rid of Monaco, also the footage from Monaco has to be the worst of the season it's crap coverage.

[@Lousy_Bastard]

@@matija8681 Yes Spain is very boring.

[@Erik_The_Viking]

In the case of Dallas, TX the track was literally falling apart from the heat.

[@Skellington77]

The heat is endless D:

[@aidenburgess217]

I wish f1 would come back to Adelaide. I missed it by 5 years. Never even knew my home had f1 till I was in my teens

[@zjsz4954]

I love the idea of street circuits

[@38tech]

F1 drivers are supposed to be the best drivers in the world. I think they can handle some inequities on the track. If they cant adapt....sucks to be them. Its like watching nascar at circuits....its awesome.

[@windowsfan95]

2:25 that’s the Norwegian rain for you(see the clip in the background)

[@rileyjordan8467]

the debate about Melbourne puzzles me, I go to the Aus gp most years and the atmosphere around Albert Park and the lake is amazing, it could just be that I love seeing cars go around a track, but I'd rather keep the gp in Albert Park rather than move it to a new or current purpose built track, and for the rest of the year the Albert Park precinct is wonderful to go and visit, I just don't see why people would argue

[@matthewalker]

I agree. As a spectator Albert Park is hard to fault. Oodles of room and activities, and getting to and from the track is pretty easy.

[@leandror252]

I want THAT regular car! :B

[@Jarno327]

i cant be the only one that actually does get the eminem marshall joke right

[@ace_lz]

Speaking of public opposition, there was nearly a GP in my hometown, but the people didn't want that to happen because hUrR duRr cAr baD fœR enVirOmEt

[@FabioFTazz]

Baku, Canada and Australia has provide some good races over the years. Monaco no

[@HimanshuRacer1]

Becaus of macow in to tousand seventein

[@nick4506]

indycar now runs at Longbeach and the grip tore out the coils used to sense cars for the traffic lights.

[@Simba_de_Bafpoes]

That marshall meme was fun

[@leoarevalo6786]

There's going to be a reveal for rich energy tomorrow which could be their F1 return in case you wish to know

[@michaellonsdale7372]

Street circuits like Canada, Baku and Albert park are brilliant but I can only deal with 1 Monaco a season

[@kyledonnington4957]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. LAP 1 PILE UP IN JEDAHHHH!!!

[@diegomartinez4232]

i rlly rlly rlly appreciate that marshall marchers joke

[@UzzyT.]

Great video.

[@albertwilloch4335]

2:28 classic summer weather in Norway

[@krunk3r183]

well good thing is, since F1 can't have holes in their circuit, the streets that will be used for the race will be often fixed Edit: There is an easter egg at 3:04, the marshal has eminem's picture on it because eminem's name is marshall bruce mathers

[@viacheslavkaymin6245]

He put Eminem's face on the photo when he was talking about marshals and Recovery vehicles, what a great man

[@vycanismelodis]

i had completely forgotten there was a monago gp this year

[@onyxturpin6382]

Looking forward to see how Miami turns out

[@benhubbard7793]

Love street circuits for some reason... Monaco, maybe not so much, but others are exciting and offer little forgiveness to driver errors.

[@njohnson3331]

Sometimes the reasons I like a street circuit are also the reasons I dislike it.

[@DaniTheFemby99]

Reminds me of the guy-stepping-on-rake meme. NASCAR is the original, where as F1 is the one where he rides the rake like a skateboard only to get hit in the face anyway.

[@parksbuchanan3004]

Can you make a “why Brazil 2008 was an instant classic” video? I need it

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Was overtaking in Monaco easier/more feasible in the cigars-on-wheels days?

[@firefIyVal]

*F1 in Monaco* Strategists: it's my time to shine

[@williamlang8767]

See he can do better puns, the marshal at 3:04 with Marshal Mathers face

[@chriss5384]

I forget what driver said it but Monaco has been described as racing full scale cars on a go kart track

[@sr.adrian5235]

0:14 did you guys seriously put Bottas’ helmet in Russell’s car!?!?!?!?!? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DonnieX6]

that's George Russel with his own helmet in there, mate...

[@danielt6219]

Even the white paint is slippery for motorcycles when it rains

[@trd309]

Just a reminder Matt, the correct way to pronounce Melbourne is Mel-bern, not Mel-born.

[@caseys_cozy_garage]

When I learned Albert park was a street circuit a few years ago I was pretty impressed

[@marielfernandez2190]

You're forgetting Giovinazzi's overtake round the outside of Ocon at turn 5 at Monaco.

[@Sarah-do9my]

just 1 thing I LOVE STREET CIRCUITS!!!!

[@jrlepage2a03]

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is most definitely not a street circuit. It becomes a public road/cycling path within Jean-Drapeau Park when there's no racing going on, but it was designed from the ground up to be a permanent racing facility.

[@FireBlaze1901]

Surely I can't be the only one who fails to see how the changes to Albert Part will make it any better for overtaking. To me it looks like it'll still be difficult to pass