The pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1, has yielded some of the most notable events in sporting history. Over the span of the sport’s nearly 70-year history, there have been innumerable races, drivers, and circuits. Every circuit has its own distinct features, and the lap records set by drivers are evidence of both their prowess and the potential of their vehicles.
Formula 1 as a sport has a very small room for error. Milliseconds make vast differences in outcome and minuscule errors can meet huge consequences. Throughout the history of F1, drivers have battled each other and the clock in an effort to set the fastest lap times possible on each circuit. These lap times are a testament to the skill and determination of the drivers, as well as the technological advancements made in the sport over the years.
It’s returned! The 2022 DHL Virtual Fastest Lap Competition has officially opened 🙌
Can you set the fastest lap on F1 2020 or 2021 in Canada? 👀
Enter now for a chance to win a place in the F1 2023 DHL Time Trial, plus some great prizes!#F1
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 30, 2022
Since the year the sport came to being, technological, aerodynamical, and engineering developments have led to a significant improvement in the quickest lap times. The newest cars, tires, and engines are used to produce the quickest lap times today.
Fastest lap set in each circuit
Circuit | Time | Driver | Team | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albert Park Circuit | 1:24.125 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 2004 Australian Grand Prix |
Bahrain International Circuit | 1:30.252 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix |
Shanghai International Circuit | 1:32.238 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 2004 Chinese Grand Prix |
Bahrain International Circuit | 1:31.447 | Pedro de la Rosa | McLaren | 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix |
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari | 1:15.484 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2020 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix |
Algarve International Circuit | 1:18.750 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix |
Circuit de Barcelona- Catalunya | 1:18.149 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 2021 Spanish Grand Prix |
Circuit de Monaco | 1:12.909 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2021 Monaco Grand Prix |
Baku City Circuit | 1:49.009 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix |
Circuit Paul Richard | 1:32.740 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 2019 French Grand Prix |
Red Bull Ring | 1:05.619 | Carlos Sainz Jr | McLaren | 2020 Styrian Grand Prix |
Silverstone Circuit | 1:27.097 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 2020 British Grand Prix |
Hungaroring | 1:16.627 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix |
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | 1:46.286 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 Belgian Grand Prix |
Circuit Zandvoort | 1:11.097 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2021 Dutch Grand Prix |
Autodromo Nazionale Monza | 1:21.046 | Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari | 2004 Italian Grand Prix |
Sochi Autodrom | 1:35.761 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2019 Russian Grand Prix |
Istanbul Park | 1:24.770 | Juan Pablo Montoya | McLaren | 2005 Turkish Grand Prix |
Circuit of the Americas | 1:36.169 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 2019 United States Grand Prix |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | 1:17.774 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix |
Autódromo Jose Carlos Pace | 1:10.540 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix |
Losail International Circuit | 1:23.196 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 2021 Qatar Grand Prix |
Jeddah Corniche Circuit | 1:30.734 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix |
Yas Marina Circuit | 1:39.283 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
Suzuka | 1:30.983 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2019 Japanese Grand Prix |
Who has the most lap records in the grid?
The Circuit Zandvoort is a relatively new addition to the F1 calendar and during the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021, Lewis Hamilton set the record for the fastest lap time of 1:11.097. The driver then went onto Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, located in Montmeló to set a lap time of 1:16.173 which is commendable. Hamilton holds the highest number of lap records under his belt numbered 9.
One of the most thrilling tracks on the F1 calendar is Melbourne, Australia’s Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit. Michael Schumacher established the lap record at this circuit in 2004 with a timing of 1:24.125. Jacques Villeneuve’s 1997 record was over a half second slower than Schumacher’s lap time.
Michael Schumacher’s dominant win in Monte Carlo would be the only time a driver led every lap of a Grand Prix in 1997. #f1 #f11997 #schumacher #ferrari #monacogp pic.twitter.com/iS9uxKnNq0
— F1 1997 (@1997_f1) February 21, 2020
The pole position and race winner are decided by the quickest lap time, which is a significant component in Formula 1. The quest for the fastest lap time has resulted in a number of technological innovations. Future F1 races will undoubtedly feature exhilarating moments and world-record-breaking performances since drivers and teams are constantly pushing the envelope to set faster lap times.