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[NateDawg80126]

I'm not going to beat around the bush with this one, I think the Valencia Street circuit is the worst on the calender for a number of reasons. First and foremost, there is absolutely no change in anything other than direction. What I mean by this is that there is nothing but ugly white barriers with fencing and tarmac through the entire circuit. The most interesting thing you see is grandstands when watching onboard footage. It must be a difficult track to drive because it is one of the most technical tracks on the schedule, and so many of the turns look so much alike.

Valencia is a beautiful city, and the track should show it off, but you cant see any of it. Singapore is not a favorite of mine either, but aside from the night racing, you still have a number of other original characteristics that make it a unique circuit. It has a beautiful pit straight fallowed by a large open area with sweeping left and right hand turns, the track goes under the grandstands, that weird chicane, and a nifty little bridge. Yes Valencia has a bridge too, but you'll be lucky to spot it because it's hidden behind white barriers just like everything else.

With all the historic, picturesque tracks that could have been used, we have the dullest street circuit in the history of motorsport. I cant think of a single thing that makes the actual track unique for the drivers, it's not particularly bumpy, no strange elevation changes, nothing. The racing last year was not bad, but it certainly wasn't great either, mediocre at best really. I find it frustrating that we could be watching Imola or A1, but we are stuck with this, I can only assume because it brings in huge revenue and older tracks just cant compete.

Does anyone else share my feelings on the matter?

[7UpJordan]

If this year's race is no better than last year's yawn-fest I'm going to give this track the Catalunya-wn treatment by writing an article on why it's crap and nobody - except Bernie and probably Alonso - likes it.

[RA Dunk]

agreed, watching the race at Valencia last year was nothing more than a bore fest for me, I`m not a lover of street races although i can tolerate Monaco, i prefer proper circuit races with proper run off areas etc to watch

[madbrad]

it does seem like an indycar event to me.

Maybe it's exciting for the Valencians lol

[Gilles 27]

Valencia is not an awful track, we have only had one race there!!! It looks good imo, totally unique feel to it and the pit buildings are beautiful. As for the layout, it's actually a good drive, difficult and very high speed in places, again unique for this type of circuit. The only problem is that it has those stupid car-park runoffs but any new circuit is going to be blighted by those so we're going to have to get used to them. It didnt' produce a good race last year but then as I said, it was only one race!
As for the idea that there are too many street circuits, well street tracks are actually true to the heritage of Grand Prix racing, using existing roads or perimeter roads to form race circuits:

Rouen, Charade, Spa, Silverstone, Mangy Cours, La Sarthe, Reims, Oporto, Pescara, Solitude, Aintree, Monaco, Monsanto, Avus, Casablanca, Bremgarten, Pedralbes etc.

All circuits that were in use during the so called 'golden age' of F1.

Fast street circuits are as valid a part of the heritage of F1 as open-wheeled cars and have been part of the sport for longer than Wings or Slick tires. Give it another year or two before we shoot the place down, it's better than Catalunya, and Fuji, and Hungaroring and Shanghai

[8-ball]

Those who say that Valencia is a bad circuit are also saying that Monaco is bad. Like Valencia it's impossible to overtake and there are tyre barriers all over the place. Yet I don't hear anyone suggesting F1 should not be there!!!

[NateDawg80126]

...No, were not. Monaco not only has a great history, but a number of famous turns/chicanes, camber and elevation changes, a dark tunnel along with some very bumpy spots (such as the hump after Casino corner) that make it challenging for the drivers and great to watch. It's actually one of my favorite tracks because of all the circuits on the calender, Monaco is probably suited for F1 the least, which makes for very interesting racing. You can actually see what they are driving by, you get a sense for where they are in the city, at Valencia you get none of that, its all flat, no bumps, the entire track looks the same. Monaco and Valencia are totally different circuits and really can't be compared. Valencia has very few of the usual challenges provided with street circuits, the entire thing was repaved for the race, so you don't even get a change in road surface, I'm sorry, but its simply boring.

[Rivelution]

I agree that Valencia was extremely boring last year, but like gilles said there has only been one race there, so its kinda too early to judge.

I dont get why so many people on here hate street circuits, to be honest, I love them. But maybe its just an American thing to like street circuits...

[RA Dunk]

I dont get why so many people on here hate street circuits,

i do its because they generally tend to be boring as f**k to watch due to lack of overtaking/overtaking oppurtunities drivers wont risk overtaking or take any chances as theres very little run off areas or margin for error, its pretty much a case of get it wrong and your into a barrier

[8-ball]

...No, were not. Monaco not only has a great history, but a number of famous turns/chicanes, camber and elevation changes, a dark tunnel along with some very bumpy spots (such as the hump after Casino corner) that make it challenging for the drivers and great to watch. It's actually one of my favorite tracks because of all the circuits on the calender, Monaco is probably suited for F1 the least, which makes for very interesting racing. You can actually see what they are driving by, you get a sense for where they are in the city, at Valencia you get none of that, its all flat, no bumps, the entire track looks the same. Monaco and Valencia are totally different circuits and really can't be compared. Valencia has very few of the usual challenges provided with street circuits, the entire thing was repaved for the race, so you don't even get a change in road surface, I'm sorry, but its simply boring.

Valencia is a very technical circuit for engineers and drivers as well as Monaco. OK it doesn't have bumpy spots, cambers etc but that is the nature of the street. Valencia is a flat city so the roads are flat. The scenery may not be as exciting as Monaco for spectators but the bottom line is the same.

Both Monaco and Valencia are basically procession races with no overtaking opportunities. Surely its the action on the track that counts and not the "elevation changes" and "bumpy spots"

[madbrad]

Those who say that Valencia is a bad circuit are also saying that Monaco is bad. Like Valencia it's impossible to overtake and there are tyre barriers all over the place. Yet I don't hear anyone suggesting F1 should not be there!!!

Then you haven't seen some of my posts. I suggest it all the time. Monte Carlo is utterly unusibleI

[GarethStr]

Tbh i didnt like Valencia or SIngapore last year. Valencia was just a purely boring race and as the thread starter said none of the city is shown off like in Monaco or Singapore. My only problem with Singapore was as it was a new track I had no idea were cars were in relation to start finish line etc and what turns were coming up. Hopefully this year i can learn the track so I won't be as confused

[Rivelution]

I dont get why so many people on here hate street circuits,

i do its because they generally tend to be boring as f**k to watch due to lack of overtaking/overtaking oppurtunities drivers wont risk overtaking or take any chances as theres very little run off areas or margin for error, its pretty much a case of get it wrong and your into a barrier

I dont agree. Purpose built road courses are just as susceptible to boring races as street circuits.



The reason Valencia, and Singapore are so dull is because they're designed by the king of boring courses. imo

[EwanM]

I tell you, give me a pencil and a blank piece of Canvas and I could spruce up a few circuits.
Step One. Bring back the Kitty litter!

[7UpJordan]

I dont get why so many people on here hate street circuits,

i do its because they generally tend to be boring as f**k to watch due to lack of overtaking/overtaking oppurtunities drivers wont risk overtaking or take any chances as theres very little run off areas or margin for error, its pretty much a case of get it wrong and your into a barrier

I dont agree. Purpose built road courses are just as susceptible to boring races as street circuits.



The reason Valencia, and Singapore are so dull is because they're designed by the king of boring courses. imo

Some of Hermann Tilke's work makes the late John Hugenholz turn in his grave.

I tell you, give me a pencil and a blank piece of Canvas and I could spruce up a few circuits.
Step One. Bring back the Kitty litter!

With the increase in highlighter-pen-green (not the Brawn shade) Astroturf and asphalt run off areas, the tracks look kind of artificial.

Also the kerbs today are far too small and flat, they need to make them steeper to punish those who use too much kerb.