Cornering my Favorite Corners

As evidenced by this blog over the last two years, I'm a Formula 1 fan. As a result, I issued a challenge to my friend Robert (he who once managed the Skewed View and now has a new blog). Also, check out the picture to the right. That just might be my favorite Lewis Hamilton picture of all time. From the night race at Singapore, then Photoshopped to a neon outline. Simple, easy, and darn pretty.

The challenge: list your five favorite corners in Formula 1. Past, Present, even future, are all available for this challenge. Also, an explanation of why this corner is your favorite can't hurt.

So here is my list of my five favorite corners in Formula 1.

5. Maggotts and Becketts at Silverstone

Silverstone is a course with much history. The Maggotts and Becketts complex is very famous. When Hermann Tilke revealed his initial drawing for the Austin, Texas circuit, a S-curve section immediately drew comparison to Maggotts and Becketts, as well as the Esses at Suzuka.

The turn complex is a fast left-right-left-right section that, is properly aligned, can be taken at or near top speed. A beautiful section if ever there was one.

4. Grand Hotel Hairpin at Monaco

Monaco is all about spectacle. Barring accident, if you aren't up front after qualifying you won't stand much chance here. That said, the Grand Hotel Hairpin is a beautiful bit a spectacle if ever there was one. It is a drastic bit of elevation change. Truthfully, there isn't really a bad corner at Monaco. It's just pretty. But there's something about watching a parade of high-powered vehicles slowly fight through this section of the track.

Once through the hairpin, drivers must navigate the tunnel and a chicane or two, but it amazes me that you don't see more accidents at this point. It's a tight spot, and a place where drivers could get chippy if they so wanted.

3. Turn 8 at Istanbul Park

From the picture provided, you can only see about 1/4 of turn 8 at Istanbul Park. This track is a Tilkedrom, but it is probably his best work. Turn 8 is the shining example of what Hermann Tilke can do if left to his own devices. The entrance to the turn is an uphil sweeping left-hander leading in to a quadruple apex turn. This is another turn that can be taken flat out, and should, or you'll lose position. But, if you don't hit your line right coming out of the turn, the next downhill bit can get tricky. The name, Turn 8, is uninspiring, but lovely in its simplicity. Turn 8 doesn't need a cute nickname, like the SPEED boys tried to give it this year, calling it "Diabolica," a reference to Monza's Curva Parabolica. Just leave it alone. Turn 8 is already a monster, it doesn't need a name to be scary.

2. Turn 1-2-3 at Catalunya

This complex of turns instantly became one of my favorites the first time I saw it during qualifying in 2009. Then, when I picked up F1 2009 for the Wii, I quickly made my way to Cantalunya, just to try out this sector. And it is a blast. If you hit your line right, you can get by with a light tap of the brakes on entry to turn 1, and then go flat out until the pseudo-hairpin that is turn 4.

Catalunya itself is not an amazingly impressive circuit. So many changes have been made that the track barely resembles what it once was, but the turn 1-2-3 complex stands as a testament to what good corners can be.

1. Raidillon and Eau Rogue at Spa-Francorchamps

This is, without a doubt, the best racing circuit on the planet, and I would just about fight to the death with anyone who says it isn't.

As for Raidillon and Eau Rogue, you can't have one without the other. They live in a symbiotic relationship. Neither is great unless the other is paired with it. Imagine you're sitting in an F1 car, going flat out, and you suddenly realize that you are abuot to go through a brief dip and then you're going flying up a hill at break neck speed. Sounds daring, right? Try it in the rain. Now try it 43 more times and you'll understand why F1 drivers are the best on the planet.

*Honorable Mention: Turn 13 at Montreal (Wall of Champions), 130R at Suzuka

As an added bonus, I challenged Robert to list his five favorite circuits. I know what number one on his list is, because it is the same as mine.

5. Albert Park (Australia)

The circuit that runs around Albert Park Lake in Melbourne is a really fun drive, with a fair amount of challenge for a track with very little elevation change.

4. Monaco

Spectacle. Need we say more? A city street course that is possibly the most famous race... cue Jeremy Clarkson... in the world.

3. Silverstone

An old British racing circuit with loads of history and a suddenly redesigned layout. Hermann Tilke was not contracted for the redesign because, according to the track officials, they didn't want to mess it up.

2. Interlagos (Sao Paolo)

The old track in Sao Paolo, site of Lewis Hamilton's amazing last lap clincher for the World Title in 2008. The track has been radically redesigned since its introduction, but it is still loads of fun.

1. Spa-Francorchamps

What else can you say about Spa? It's amazing, it's old, it has great history, it's challenging. I don't know where to stop with this track.

*Honorable Mentions: Monza, Suzuka