Since 2019, the Formula 1 community introduced a new rule: granting an extra point to the driver clocking the fastest lap in a Grand Prix. As technological advances have powered the development of increasingly swift vehicles, lap timings have correspondingly been shattered at an unprecedented rate. It’s common to witness a driver setting a new lap record while posting the quickest time at a given circuit.
However, the regulatory changes in 2021 cast doubt on whether these records will continue to tumble or remain unchallenged for a while. Interestingly, certain longstanding records set by legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher still hold firm, untouched for years. This article aims to compile a comprehensive list of Formula 1 lap records at every circuit raced on from 2019 to 2021.
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Lap Records at Formula 1 Circuits
Let’s delve into the specific records that have been set at individual circuits. At the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, McLaren’s Pedro de la Rosa registered a time of 1:31.447 during the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 3, 2005. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes secured the fastest lap at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, with a lap of 1:15.484 during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on November 1, 2020, and repeated the feat at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimao, during the Portuguese Grand Prix, clocking in a record lap time of 1:18.750 on October 25, 2020.
The Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya saw Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set a new record of 1:16.330 on June 4, 2023. Hamilton again took the spotlight at the Monaco Grand Prix, setting a record lap time of 1:12.909 at the Circuit de Monte Carlo on May 23, 2021. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit witnessed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc clocking a record time of 1:43.009 on April 28, 2019, while Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari set a record lap time of 1:32.740 at Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet during the French Grand Prix on June 23, 2019.
Carlos Sainz of McLaren set a lap record of 1:05.619 at the Red Bull Ring during the Austrian (& Styrian) Grand Prix on July 12, 2020. At the Silverstone Circuit during the British Grand Prix, Max Verstappen of Red Bull set a new record of 1:27.097 on August 2, 2020. The Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring in Budapest saw Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton setting a record lap time of 1:16.627 on July 19, 2020.
The Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit Spa-Francorchamps saw Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas record a lap time of 1:46.286 on August 26, 2018. Lewis Hamilton logged a new record time of 1:11.097 at the Circuit Zandvoort during the Dutch Grand Prix on September 5, 2021. Ferrari’s Rubens Barichello set the fastest lap of 1:21.046 at Autodromo Nazionale Monza during the Italian Grand Prix on September 12, 2004.
The Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom saw Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes posting a record lap time of 1:35.761 on September 29, 2019. At Istanbul Park Circuit during the Turkish Grand Prix, McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya set a lap record of 1:24.770 on August 21, 2005. Hamilton set another record time of 1:30.983 at Suzuka during the Japanese Grand Prix on October 13, 2019.
At the Circuit of the Americas in Austin during the United States Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari clocked a record time of 1:36.169 on November 3, 2019. The Mexican Grand Prix at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City saw Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas set a new record lap time of 1:17.774 on November 7, 2021. Bottas also holds the record at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, where he logged a time of 1:10.540 during the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 11, 2018.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Street Circuit saw another record set by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with a lap time of 1:30.734 on December 5, 2021. Max Verstappen of Red Bull set a new record lap time of 1:26.103 at the Yas Marina Circuit during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 12, 2021.
The Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit saw Haas’ Kevin Magnussen set a record lap time of 1:41.905 on September 16, 2018. At the Shanghai International Circuit during the Chinese Grand Prix, the legendary Michael Schumacher of Ferrari set a lap record of 1:32.238 on September 26, 2004.
Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas posted a record lap time of 1:13.078 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Canadian Grand Prix on June 9, 2019. Finally, the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit saw Red Bull’s Sergio Perez setting a record lap time of 1:20.235 on April 2, 2023.
Conclusion
The advancement in technology and changes in regulations frequently influence the outcomes and records in the high-speed world of Formula 1 racing. From legendary figures like Schumacher to modern-day champions like Hamilton, the record book is filled with fantastic feats of speed and engineering. These records are not only testament to the drivers’ prowess but also their teams’ remarkable technological capabilities. As the sport continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see what new heights will be achieved in the future of Formula 1 racing.