Formula 1 has always been about pushing limits, but some circuits take “no expense spared” to absurd new heights. These aren’t just racetracks—they’re monuments to ambition, ego, and occasionally, outright madness.
Yas Marina: The $1.3 Billion
Picture building a racetrack on a fake island in the desert. Now add a hotel where guests can watch cars scream past from their bathtubs. Throw in a Ferrari-themed amusement park because… why not? Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit isn’t just a track—it’s a middle schooler’s Minecraft fantasy come to life.
The irony? For all its LED-lit glamour (yes, the lighting system could guide alien spacecraft), the racing’s about as exciting as watching paint dry. Drivers hate the layout, fans doze off by lap 20, but hey—at least the yacht owners in the marina look impressed.
Shanghai: The $450 Million
China’s F1 temple sits on what was once mosquito-infested marshland. Engineers drained the area, drove 40,000 concrete pillars into the soggy earth, and shaped the track to resemble the Chinese character for “ascend.” Because nothing says “speed” like calligraphy from space.
The result? A gorgeous white elephant. Grandstands for 200,000 sit mostly empty, and the race has been dropped more times than a hot wok. But when your government wants an F1 track, you build an F1 track—logic optional.
Jeddah: The $450 Million
Saudi Arabia built this neon-drenched street circuit in eight months flat. Let that sink in. They poured enough concrete to rebuild Rome while drivers complained the walls were closer than a Tesla in rush hour. Max Verstappen called it a “death trap,” which from him is like a five-star review.
Of course, the real price tag isn’t monetary. Built as part of Saudi’s “look over here, not at our human rights record” campaign, it’s F1’s most morally conflicted venue. Fast? Yes. Ethical? Let’s change the subject.
Buddh International: India’s $400 Million Ghost Town
Designed to mimic Belgium’s legendary Spa circuit, India’s Buddh track had everything—elevation changes, tricky corners, and grandstands shaped like lotus flowers. What it didn’t have? Fans. Or consistent funding. Or a government that cared after the first race.
Now it sits rusting in Greater Noida, hosting occasional corporate events. The pit buildings? Perfect for Bollywood shoots. The track surface? Great for testing how quickly weeds can crack asphalt.
Las Vegas: The $400 Million
Only in Vegas could a racetrack become a secondary attraction. They paved over the Strip, built a casino complex where the paddock should be, and convinced everyone that racing past fake Eiffel Towers at 200 mph is “culture.” The 1.9 km straight isn’t for overtaking—it’s so high rollers can check their bets between corners.
Did they need to dig up the entire city? No. Does the track make sense? Also no. But since when has Vegas been about sense?
