The Modern F1 Circuits We Still Miss: Tracks Lost Since 2000

F1 is always moving forward, making spectacle and global expansion, but sometimes in that quest, it leaves pieces of its soul behind.

For many fans, it is not the old school, the pre-2000 circuits that haunts memories, but the tracks of modern era, sleek, challenging and often raced in places that pushed F1 into new corners of the globe.

Today we will share the circuits that may have left the calendar, but never the hearts of the fans, the tracks in which F1 raced at least once since 2000.

Nürburgring, Germany

The “Green hell” may have hosted classic races long before 2000, but the modern GP layout of Nurburgring brought fans back to the forest in a more contemporary, high-speed spectacle.

Its flowing curves and sudden elevation, changes rewarded bravery, and every DRS-free lap felt like a battle with nature itself.

We also remember plenty of unforgettable races here in the modern era—like Raikkonen’s heartbreak in 2005 when his tyre blew on the final lap, or the chaotic opening laps in 2007 when a sudden downpour turned the track into a lottery.

The Nürburgring always had a way of giving us drama and memories we’ll never forget.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT OLD LAYOUT OF NURBURGRING HERE.

Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France

Magny-Cours may feel sterile compared to the street circuits, but fans loved its technical complexity.

The blend of slow chicanes and fast sweeps demanded precision, and it produced some surprisingly strategic races before it quietly vanished from calendar.

Fans still talks about the race of 1999, it was wild, when heavy rain caused chaos all over the track.

Cars were sliding, strategies went out of the window and in the end Frentzen took a shock victory for Jordan.

But overtaking was really hard on this track, we do not have memories for this but anyway, it was a great track that fans still love.

One of the most unpredictable afternoons that showed why French GP had its own charm.

Hockenheimring, Germany

Hockenheim’s new layout, post-2000 redesign, made races tighter and more exciting, with stadium-like sections thrilling spectators. Its loss left a void in the heart of German F1 fans, who remember the battles through the forest and the deafening roar in the stadium section.

Fans still miss the old Hockenheim, when half the lap was spent flat-out through the forest before the layout was shortened in 2002.

Yet the new Hockenheim modified circuit gave us unforgettable races like in 2019, when heavy rain turned everything upside down.

Overtaking was always possible in this circuit, even after modifications.

Hamilton finished P11, the race was chaotic, Verstappen won the race, Vettel’s greatest comeback from P20 to an incredible second place, it was pure Hockenheim magic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT: OLD CIRCUIT OF HOCKENHEIM

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, USA

F1’s visit to the Brickyard gave a taste of American grandeur. Despite its oval-turned-road-course challenges, fans loved the spectacle of F1 in the land of speed, with the iconic start-finish straight and the eerie feeling of racing inside one of motorsport’s hallowed grounds.

Indianapolis is a circuit F1 fans can never forget, and many still dream of seeing it back on the calendar.

It gave us some unforgettable stories, like the infamous 2005 race where only six cars lined up after the tyre controversy.

The 2007 showdown where Hamilton and Alonso went wheel to wheel in front of American crowd.

Indy may have been short-lived, but its drama was timeless.

Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

Tropical rain, relentless heat, and high-speed corners made Sepang a fan favorite. Every race weekend was a gamble with weather, producing breathtaking moments of chaos and brilliance. Its absence reminds us that F1 lost a unique test of driver skill and endurance.

Always drama, that is why fans still miss it, who could forget the 2001 race, when a sudden tropical downpour turned the race into utter chaos?

Also the 2016, when Hamilton’s engine blew while leading, that cost him another F1 title against Rosberg that year.

Let’s not forget the 2012 racee when Sergio Perez nearly pulled off a shock win for Sauber, chasing down alonso in the rain.

It was always a mixing head, storms and history, Sepang is a track that fans still miss it!

Istanbul Park, Turkey

Ah, Istanbul! Four turns, a twisty mid-section, and the infamous Turn 8—a corner that chewed up tyres and thrilled spectators. It’s a circuit that demanded respect and rewarded courage, and fans still chant for its dramatic reappearance.

Fans still remember the epic battles around this circuit, in 2006, Schumacher chasing Fernando Alonso, the year they were fighting for the title.

In 2010, the battle of Red Bulls, both Vettel and Webber collided in dramatic fashion while fighting for the lead.

And the 2020 race, Stroll stunned the world by taking his first pole lap in the wet and leading early on, only for Hamilton to defy the odds, nursing 40-laps old tyres to a legendary victory.

Istanbul was drama at its finest.

Fuji Speedway, Japan

Nestled beneath Mount Fuji, the track combined modern F1 speed with breathtaking scenery. The long straight offered perfect overtaking opportunities, and the unpredictable weather often turned races into unforgettable tactical battles.

Sadly, it did not stay on the calendar for long but it left us with memories we will never forget.

2008 race was pure chaos, from the first corner when Hamilton devided in aggressively, sending both Ferraris off the track to hold the lead.

Then rain came, turning the race into a rollercoaster of battles, then Alonso came from nowhere to win the race.

Fuji’s brief F1 story still feels legendary.

Valencia Street Circuit, Spain

The Mediterranean backdrop and the street layout gave Valencia a unique modern vibe. It might not have had the history of Barcelona, but fans loved the spectacle of night racing on tight, unforgiving asphalt.

It is not abandoned, left behind by F1, but fans still hold onto the memories it gave us.

LEARN MORE: HOW VALENCIA CIRCUIT LOOKS NOW

We remember it also for Michael Schumacher’s last podium in this circuit, a bittersweet reminder of his greatness.

Also the victory of Alonso in front of his fans, a moment that we cannot forget in 2012, starting from P11.

Valencia may be silent now, but the echoes of those moments remain.

Korea International Circuit, Yeongam

Despite logistical struggles, Yeongam offered sweeping corners and high-tech facilities. The circuit’s modern design rewarded daring and audacity, leaving fans wishing for more weekends in South Korea’s scenic yet challenging track.

Korea may not have hosted F1 for long, but it still gave us a few memorable moments.

Alonso win in 2010, when he was battling Vettel for the title, also the pole of Hamilton, who came out of nowhere to take it.

Fans loved the long second-corner straight, a rare spot for overtakes, making Korea an underrated gem that many still remember fondly.

Buddh International Circuit, India

F1’s foray into India brought speed, culture, and flair together. Buddh International Circuit was fast, smooth, and technically demanding, giving fans a taste of F1 in one of the world’s most populous nations. Its absence left a growing fanbase craving more.

Sochi Autodrom, Russia

Built around Olympic Park structures, Sochi was a mix of modern city layout and high-speed potential. Races here often felt strategic and calculated, and fans appreciated the mix of glitz and real racing challenge.

Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet

Home of F1’s summer testing as well as its GP comeback, Paul Ricard offered high-tech runoff zones and long straights. The track combined safety and spectacle, giving fans modern F1 at its fastest while retaining a hint of French flair.

Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão (2020)

Raced just once in 2020 while the whole calendar was changed during crisis of 2020, Portimão shocked fans with elevation changes, blind crests, and relentless corners. Its single appearance is now legendary, leaving fans wishing for a regular return. And Raikkonen’s first lap recovery from P16 to P6 was the moment to rembember, still fans check on it and watch it again.

Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, Italy (2020)

Another one-time wonder, Mugello combined classic Italian curves with modern F1 speeds. Fans remember the thrilling battles and the aroma of tarmac on a hot Italian weekend, wondering why F1 has yet to return.