Forgotten F1 Circuits of the 1980s
We’ve already shared the first four parts of our series on forgotten F1 circuits, and now, after two months, we continue with Part 5.
For Part 5, we decided to focus on the circuits that hosted F1 in the 1980s. Some tracks from the ’80s were already covered in the first four parts, which you can find on our website or at the end of this article.
Some of the circuits on this list also hosted F1 in the ’90s, but we’ve included them in the 1980s list for Part 5 because that is when they first started hosting races.
Forgotten F1 circuits of 1980s
Some of these circuits were part of the turbo era, while others were not. The turbo era officially ended in 1988 when turbo engines were banned, but there are tracks like Phoenix, which first hosted F1 in 1989, after the turbo era. We’ve included the title ‘Turbo Era’ simply to highlight one of the most fascinating periods in F1—a time when the sport evolved and pushed forward the most.
Phoenix Street Circuit
The atmosphere in the United States always felt different. It had its own pull, and racing through the streets of an American city seemed like the natural next step for a sport looking to carve out a stronger foothold there.
But in reality, it felt much the same as Dallas a few years earlier. The heat was overwhelming, making both driving and spectating uncomfortable.
Another problem, which no one had anticipated, was that even after the event was moved earlier in the year, the atmosphere never truly clicked, and the grandstands struggled to fill.
All three races at Phoenix from 1989 to 1991 were won by McLaren drivers: Alain Prost took the first in 1989, followed by Ayrton Senna, who won in both 1990 and 1991.
However, Phoenix always felt temporary, like a visiting circuit that never fully unpacked. After just three races in as many years, F1 left for good, and never returned.
Circuit of Jerez
Jerez arrived in F1 during 1986 season; it was modern circuit at the time, yet as the years passed the sport kept evolving.
New venues appeared with more spaces and F1 moved on, also Jerez was far away from major cities and it slipped down the priority list.
What many remember from that circuit is Martin Donnelly’s crash, a story so striking it later inspired a movie featuring Brad Pitt, and one that fans still revisit to this day.
Still, its F1 memories live on mostly through testing days and the echoes of races long past.
Ayrton Senna won the first race in Jerez in 1986.
Let’s also remember the drivers who won there, even though there were only five races: two wins for Senna, two for Prost, and one for Nigel Mansell.
Adelaide Street Circuit
Historic circuit, and few tracks from the ’80s are remembered with as much affection as Adelaide.
It was not just fast, demanding, it was also dramatic, often deciding championships under the fading Australian sun, and the most remembered is the one of Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill in 1994.
Looking back, drivers respected it and fans loved it. Even when we ask our social media followers about the circuit, almost everyone wants Adelaide back on the calendar—it remains historic for its drama.
However, F1’s future had other plans, as the sport grew, attention shifted toward permanent facilities and long-term visions, and you can find more info and images about Adelaide HERE.
The Australian moved elsewhere and some part of Adelaide street’s returned to everyday life.
Circuit of Estoril
Estoril is another circuit that hosted races during the turbo era and continued into the ’90s. It witnessed breakthrough victories, championship-deciding moments, and some of the most emotional scenes of the era.
We say this because Niki Lauda won the 1984 title at the final race of the season—by just half a point over Prost—and it was the first time F1 had raced at Estoril.
For the British driver David Coulthard, Estoril holds special significance, as he claimed the first victory of his F1 career there in 1995.
The 1996 race was the last F1 event at Estoril, and the championship never returned.
Dallas Grand Prix
Dallas was different. It hosted just a single F1 race, never to return, and that one event has since become legendary.
One of the most iconic moments fans still revisit is Nigel Mansell’s final lap, when he tried to push his car across the finish line.
👉 Why the 1984 Dallas GP was the one that F1 will never forget
The extreme heat took its toll on both drivers and cars, making it incredibly difficult to race. F1 never returned to this circuit, and the only race held there was won by Keke Rosberg.
Dijon-Prenois
Dijon’s place in history is secure, remembered by fans much like Monaco, thanks to the unforgettable battle between Villeneuve and Arnoux.
We included this circuit in the 1980s list because F1 raced here during the turbo era, up until 1984. However, the track felt increasingly small for F1’s ambitions, and the laps were very short.
Dijon quietly hosted its final Grand Prix and stepped aside, remembered fondly but firmly as a circuit from another era.
Jacarepaguá
Jacarepaguá Circuit in Brazil is often confused with Interlagos, but in reality it was located in a different part of the country and was a completely different venue.
It delivered tough races in intense heat and showcased some of the best driving of the decade. But as the years passed, attention shifted back to São Paulo, where a renewed Interlagos offered a fresh start and a stronger link to the sport’s future.
This circuit holds special meaning for Nigel Mansell, as he claimed his first victory driving for Ferrari at Jacarepaguá.
Today, the circuit has been demolished and no longer exists.
Jarama
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F1 fans know that Jarama predates the 1980s, with the championship racing there as early as the late 1960s. We included the circuit on this list for a different story it represents.
It centers on Gilles Villeneuve’s legendary drive in 1981, when he wrestled a non-competitive Ferrari to what is remembered as one of the greatest defensive wins in F1 history. Holding back Jacques Laffite, John Watson, Carlos Reutemann, and Elio de Angelis, Villeneuve crossed the line just 1.24 seconds ahead of them all. It was an astonishing feat—and the final victory of his F1 career.
But as the turbo era arrived, the cars grew wider and faster, and Jarama’s tight layout offered little room for modern racing. After one final display of defensive brilliance, F1 moved on, searching for circuits better suited to its new identity.
Argentina – Buenos Aires
F1’s relationship with Buenos Aires was never simple. The race came and went, returned, and disappeared again, never quite stable and always struggling to maintain a long-term presence.
There may not be many standout stories from this circuit, but one moment stands above the rest: Schumacher’s battle with the McLarens in 1998. At a time when McLaren looked untouchable, he fought past both cars and went on to win the race.
By the late 1990s, the circuit felt tired. Layout changes failed to inspire, and investment never fully materialized. Eventually, Formula 1 said goodbye once more.
The door has never completely closed, but for now, Argentina remains a story of promise interrupted.
Kyalami
Looking back, it’s something we truly miss—the races in Africa. F1 arrived early at Kyalami in South Africa, and we included it here because the turbo era continued there until 1985.
It’s a special circuit for Mario Andretti, where he claimed the first F1 victory of his career in 1971.
However, after an initial departure in the mid-’80s, it returned briefly in the early ’90s, but the challenges of hosting a modern F1 race proved too great. Still, fans long for this track’s return, as many champions and legends raced there, and enthusiasts continue to revisit onboard footage and share their memories.
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch felt alive. The elevation changes, the natural viewing areas, and the closeness of the crowd made it one of Formula 1’s most loved venues.
Although it first hosted F1 as early as 1964, we included it on this list because Brands Hatch was part of the F1 calendar during the turbo era in the early 1980s.
Yet space became its enemy. Expansion was limited, facilities aged, and the demands of modern Formula 1 grew impossible to ignore.
When the sport chose a single long-term home in Britain, Brands Hatch stepped aside, leaving behind decades of unforgettable racing moments.
If you enjoyed this journey through the forgotten circuits of the 1980s, you can continue exploring Formula 1’s past through our earlier installments. Here are the first four parts of our series on the circuits of the past:
- Part 1: The Legendary Tracks That Time Erased
- Part 2: When Formula 1 Took Over the Streets
- Part 3: Dangerous Legends – The Risky Circuits of F1 History
- Part 4: When F1 Left Them Behind: Some Circuits of the 1970s
