Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about a major shift in how Formula One circuits are designed, sharing his thoughts following the Mexico City Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion highlighted significant differences between how the sport handles racing conditions now and those of previous decades, sparking a fresh debate about what F1 needs to improve in the coming seasons.
Lewis Hamilton Puts Forward His Demands on How F1 Circuits Should Be Made
Hamilton believes modern Formula One tracks have become too accommodating for drivers who make errors on track. “You can never go too far when it comes to safety,” he stated, acknowledging the importance of driver protection while emphasizing that today’s circuits look fundamentally different from the tracks of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Back then, grass and gravel runoff zones meant drivers faced genuine consequences for mistakes. “If you went too far, you paid the price. You’d end up in the gravel or damage your car,” he explained. “Now you can just go wide and come straight back onto the track. I’m not a big fan of that – but that’s just the reality we’re in.”
His complaints came in response to real incidents during the Mexico City race, where several drivers ran off the asphalt in the opening lap without losing time. Many existing circuits have replaced their grass and gravel strips with broad asphalt areas over the past few years. Hamilton believes that this trend removes the racing element that once kept drivers sharp and focused.
The British driver praised circuits that still demand respect from competitors. “I always describe them like old houses – they have a soul,” he said of tracks like Zandvoort, Silverstone, and Suzuka, which maintain genuine character and refuse to let mistakes slide without consequence.
Hamilton expressed concern that many newer tracks miss this essential quality entirely, lacking the demanding nature that separates truly skilled drivers from the rest of the field.
Races Becomes Less Competitive as Circuits Become Safer
Beyond safety concerns, modern circuits also struggle to produce genuinely exciting racing moments and competitive battles. The problem is particularly pronounced in sprint races, where Hamilton has identified a troubling pattern of predictable outcomes.
“Some sprints are just processions. Next year, we have Singapore – we won’t see a single overtake for nineteen laps. Of course, it works at other circuits,” he added.
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Despite his substantial criticism of modern circuit design, Hamilton acknowledged that F1 is nonetheless moving in the right direction overall. “The sport is going well generally,” he said, expressing satisfaction with how quickly the series continues to grow worldwide and attract new fans constantly.
Hamilton’s message to F1 leadership is clear: the series needs circuits that genuinely challenge drivers and punish poor decisions on track. The current trend toward wide run-off zones and forgiving layouts removes the essential element that once made racing truly special and demanding.