A Formula 1 street circuit is created from roads normally used by buses, taxis, and delivery trucks: For one weekend, they are closed off, lined with concrete walls, and transformed into a racetrack. Monaco, Baku, Singapore, Jeddah, and Las Vegas show how varied these can be—from tight harbor layouts to full-throttle straights along the Strip. Here, you’ll learn what sets these five circuits apart, how to experience them yourself, and why street circuits work so well as 3D reliefs.
What defines a Formula 1 street circuit
The core concept is simple: A street circuit uses public roads that are closed off before the race and upgraded with walls, catch fences, and curbs. After the weekend, normal traffic resumes. In contrast, a permanent racetrack is available year-round for motorsport, featuring gravel traps and run-off areas where a street circuit has buildings.
This leads to three characteristics you’ll find on almost every circuit of this type:
- Walls instead of run-off areas: Late braking means hitting the barrier. Mistakes here rarely cost just time.
- A surface not built for race cars: Bumps, road markings, and surface changes are part of it. Since race tires don’t normally drive here, the track becomes grippier with each session over the weekend.
- The city as a backdrop: Skyscrapers, harbor basins, old town walls—they directly border the track and shape the image fans have in mind.
Between these two worlds are circuits that run partly on public roads and partly on closed-off areas. Whether to call them street circuits is a matter of perspective. In this comparison, we focus on five tracks where buildings and water edges clearly define the line.
Formula 1 street circuits compared: five stages between buildings and water
The Formula 1 street circuits share the same basic rules, yet each has its own character—sometimes tight and slow, sometimes long and fast, sometimes in daylight, sometimes under floodlights.
Monaco: the classic by the harbor
Since 1929, races have been held around the harbor in Monte Carlo, and Monaco was already on the calendar in the first year of the World Championship in 1950. At just over 3.3 kilometers, it’s one of the shortest laps of the season. The circuit passes the casino, through the tunnel, and around a hairpin considered one of the slowest corners on the calendar. Overtaking is rare, so the race is often decided in qualifying. For a detailed breakdown of the circuit, check out the profile Monaco racetrack: harbor, tunnel, hairpin.
The Monaco GP Tile shows why every meter counts here: densely packed houses and high-rises, with the red track layout and the black harbor basin with its piers in front.
Baku: old town walls and full throttle by the Caspian Sea
The Baku City Circuit has been part of the calendar since 2016 and, at around six kilometers, is almost twice as long as Monaco. Its appeal lies in the contrast: a very long full-throttle section runs along the shore, while the old town wall section is so tight uphill that two cars can barely pass side by side. The straight often sees overtaking due to slipstreaming, while the tight section tests nerves.
On the Baku GP Tile, you can see both sides: the red track along the waterfront promenade, the white building blocks of the city, and the black water area with harbor piers.
Singapore: the first night race under floodlights
In 2008, Formula 1 held its first night race in Singapore. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is just under five kilometers long, very twisty, and is considered physically demanding due to heat and high humidity. The illuminated skyline around the bay is one of the most iconic images of the season. For more on sections and history, read the profile of the Singapore racetrack at Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Singapore is available not as a Tile but as a Singapore frame with a red track on a dark city map—more on this below.
Jeddah: high-speed racing by the coast
Since 2021, Formula 1 has raced on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit by the Red Sea. At just over six kilometers with many fast, flowing corners, it’s one of the fastest street circuits. The walls are close to the racing line, leaving little room for error. Races start in the evening under floodlights.
The GP Tile Jeddah shows the track along the coastline, with white high-rises and small boats on the black water.
Las Vegas: night race on the Strip
Formula 1 visited Las Vegas in the early 1980s, then on a hotel parking lot. Since 2023, the circuit runs over just over six kilometers through the city, with a long straight along the Strip, passing hotels and casinos. Races take place late in the evening local time. As November nights can be cool, warming up the tires becomes a challenge.
In the Las Vegas GP Tile, the high-rises rise as a white 3D city relief, with the red track winding through.
Length, debut, time of day: the five circuits side by side
- Monaco: just over 3.3 km, races since 1929, daytime, tight and slow, harbor and casino
- Baku: around 6 km, since 2016, daytime, long straight plus tight old town section
- Singapore: just under 5 km, since 2008, floodlights, many corners, heat
- Jeddah: just over 6 km, since 2021, floodlights, very fast, walls close to the line
- Las Vegas: just over 6 km, since 2023, nighttime, long straight on the Strip, cool nights
If you appreciate precision, Monaco is for you. If you love speed, go for Jeddah or Las Vegas. Baku combines both in one lap, and Singapore appeals to those who enjoy atmosphere as much as endurance. For choosing wall art, a simpler question often helps: Which street circuit left the most memories when watching?
Visiting a street circuit: what to consider
The great advantage of a street circuit: You can experience it even without a race. A few things make the visit more enjoyable.
- Outside the race weekend: Large parts of the circuits in Monaco, Baku, Singapore, and Las Vegas are normal roads. In Monaco, you can walk the lap, in Baku, stroll along the waterfront promenade, and in Las Vegas, walk the Strip. Normal traffic rules apply, so use the sidewalk, not the racing line.
- Book accommodation early: During race weekends, hotels near the track fill up quickly, and many roads are closed. Plan for longer walks, as crossings over the track are limited.
- Night races shift the day: In Singapore, Jeddah, and Las Vegas, key sessions are in the evening and at night. Sleeping in during the day leaves more energy for the evening. In Singapore, it stays warm and humid even after sunset.
- Choose your spot wisely: Fences and walls are close, and from a grandstand, you usually only see one section. A spot at a slow corner shows more racing action than one on a straight, where cars just fly by. Big screens help keep track.
City relief or track map: two formats for street circuits
For a permanent racetrack, the line is the focus. For a street circuit, the surroundings are part of it—and that’s where our two formats differ.
The frame: the track shape at the center
In the 3D racetrack frames, the track stands out as a red relief against a dark city map. They are available for all five circuits in this comparison, in A4 for €55 and A3 for €85. For an additional €5, you can add a name, starting number, country, and two lines of text, such as “Our first night race” as a memory of Singapore.
The GP Tile: track and city in one piece
The GP Tiles are more compact, 15 × 15 cm, and for street circuits, they show a white 3D city relief instead of a map: buildings and streets raised, water areas in black, and the track in red through the middle. Monaco, Baku, Jeddah, and Las Vegas look like a stage of building edges and harbor walls with the racing line running through. Each of these Tiles costs €69.
As a rule of thumb: If you want to study the shape of a track, choose the frame. If you love the backdrop, go for the Tile. And if you can’t decide, hang both side by side—the small square Tile next to the larger frame looks like a detail view next to an overview map.
Gifting street circuits: ideas for fans of harbors and floodlights
For many fans, street circuits are more than just tracks: They combine a race with a trip, a night under floodlights, or a TV evening that sparks long conversations. These make great gift ideas.
The Tile of the city they’ve already visited
If someone has been to Baku, Monaco, or Las Vegas, the matching Tile gives them a piece of the city map with the racing line. This also works for travelers who’ve never seen the race live but know the waterfront or harbor.
Two Tiles as a pair
Monaco and Baku make a duo of harbor and waterfront circuits, while Jeddah and Las Vegas form a pair of night races. Two Tiles cost €138 together, which qualifies for free shipping within Germany.
The personalized frame for a special race night
Did someone experience a race in Singapore live? The frame can include the year or a short line in the text fields. Note: Personalized frames are custom-made and non-refundable—double-check the spelling.
Ideas outside our range
- A travel promise: a custom-designed card with the plan to attend a street race together. You’ll choose the location once the race calendar is confirmed.
- A book on the history of street races: perfect for anyone who wants to know how port roads became racetracks.
- A race night at home: snacks from the race’s host country, a reserved spot on the sofa, and a promise to stay up together for the next night race.
For packaging, we offer the Premium Gift Wrapping with Silver Foil for €9.90. We ship within 1–2 business days – but order by mid-December to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a street circuit and a permanent racetrack?
A street circuit mostly uses public roads, which are closed and modified just for the race weekend. A permanent racetrack is built year-round for motorsport. On street circuits, walls replace gravel or asphalt run-off areas found elsewhere.
Which is the oldest Formula 1 street circuit?
Monaco. Monte Carlo has hosted races since 1929, and the circuit was part of the first World Championship season in 1950. The other circuits in this comparison only joined in their current form from 2008 onwards.
Which street circuits are night races?
Of the five circuits compared here, Singapore, Jeddah, and Las Vegas are night races. Singapore was the first F1 night race in 2008. Monaco and Baku are daytime races.
Which street circuits are available as GP Tiles with city relief?
From this comparison, Monaco, Baku, Jeddah, and Las Vegas are available as cutouts around the track, with buildings in white, water in black, and the racing line in red. Singapore is available as a frame with a city map.
Conclusion: Where the city shapes the line
Monaco thrives on tightness and history, Baku on contrast, Singapore on light, Jeddah on speed, and Las Vegas on spectacle. What they share is that every Formula 1 street circuit is shaped by buildings, walls, and water. If you want to bring your favorite circuit to your wall, check out the GP Tiles with city relief – or opt for the frame if the pure track shape matters most.
