Since 1996, Albert Park has been the season opener for the Formula One calendar. This is where the brand-new cars are put through their first true competitive paces after a winter of testing.

Site of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The track is 4.292 km (2.667 miles) in length. The race length is 309.024 km (192.018 miles) with 72 laps. The track record was set by in 1997 by J. Villeneuve in a Williams FW19-Renault V10 with a time of 1m 18.397 sec and a speed of 197.089km/h (122.465 miles/h).

Interlagos is situated in a large natural bowl, allowing the passionate Brazilians to see 70% of the circuit at all times. The home town racers have always done well here. Ayrton Senna has won the event twice. Interlagos has had a number of memorable races in the past, but its days may be numbered. Rio de Janeiro is building a new track that could replace the Sao Paulo racetrack in the near future. 

Imola

Site of the San Marino Grand Prix. The track is 4.927 km (3.061 miles) in length. The race length is 305.443 km (189.782 miles) with 62 laps. The track record was set in 1997 by H.H. Frentzen in a Williams FW19-Renault V10 with a time of 1m 25.531 sec and a speed of 207.503km/h (128.936 miles/h).

Imola will unfortunately always be remembered for the tragic deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna in 1994. The flat-out Tamburello corner was an area of concern for a long time as car failure in that section of the circuit would send a car straight into the wall. Nelson Piquet was lucky to escape unhurt in 1987 and Gerhard Berger's shunt in 1989 scared everybody. The Austrian hit the concrete wall and was lucky to get out of the cockpit before fire caught him. 

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Silverstone

Site of the British Grand Prix. The track is 5.138 km (3.193 miles) in length. The race length is 308.296 km (191.566 miles) with 60 laps. The track record was set in 1997 by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari F310B V10 with a time of 1m 24.475 sec and a speed of 219.047km/h (136.109 miles/h).

The 50 year-old Silverstone circuit was the site of Formula One's first Grand Prix held in 1950, and it is still home to the British Grand Prix. The circuit is renovated every year and plays host to most teams during the testing season. Drivers know Silverstone very well, resulting in less interesting free practice sessions, but it is usually a good indication of the potential of every team. 

Catalunya

Site of the Spanish Grand Prix. The track is 4.726 km (2.937 miles) in length. The race length is 307.196 km (190.882 miles) with 65 laps. The track record was set in 1997 by G. Fisichella in a Jordan 197-Peugeot V10 with a time of 1m 22.242 sec and a speed of 206.916km/h (128.571 miles/h).

The feeling in Formula One circles is that the Catalunya circuit is nearly perfect. Not only does it test the talent of the drivers but also that of the engine manufacturers. The start-finish straight is a strong test for the engines as it is one of the longest in Formula One. It forces the engine manufacturers to come up with the strongest power unit they can. Spectators also love the circuit as most areas offer a great view of the track. 

Nurburgring 

Site of the European Grand Prix. The track is 4.556 km (2.831 miles) in length. The race length is 305.235 km (189.664 miles) with 67 laps. The track record was set in 1997 by H.H. Frentzen in a Williams FW19-Renault V10 with a time of 1m 18.805 sec and a speed of 208.128km/h (129.331 miles/h).

The original 22-kilometre circuit was taken off the Formula One calendar after Niki Lauda's crash in 1976 and the new Nürburgring circuit featured its first Formula One race in 1984. Drivers deemed the track as unimaginative and sterile after 1985 and it did not return until 1995. 

Monte-Carlo

Site of the Monaco Grand Prix. The track is 3.328 km (2.068 miles) in length. The race length is 262.624 km (163.186 miles) with 78 laps. The track record was set in 1994 by Michael Schumacher in a Bennetton Ford B194 V8 with a time of 1m 21.076 sec and a speed of 147.772km/h (91.821 miles/h).

Formula One drivers love or hate the Monaco street circuit. Some compare it to flying with a helicopter in your living room, while others believe it is the greatest challenge in Formula One. The tunnel is still there, as are the Loews hairpin and Rascasse. One mistake will result in instant retirement, and only the best of the best can dominate the event. 

Gilles-Villeneuve

Site of the Canadian Grand Prix. The track is 4.421 km (2.747 miles) in length. The race length is 305.049 km (189.548 miles) with 69 laps. The track record was set in 1998 by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari F310B V10 with a time of 1m 19.379 sec and a speed of 200.45km/h (124.581 miles/h).

This non-permanent circuit is very infrequently used which results in poor grip. The circuit is attractive because it allows overtaking. It also makes heavy demands on engines and brakes because it requires cars to brake hard several times while the engine has to work hard on the long straight before the pit-lane entrance. 

Magny-Cours

Site of the French Grand Prix. The track is 4.247 km (2.639 miles) in length. The race length is 301.564 km (187.383 miles) with 71 laps. The track record was set in 1992 by Nelson Mansell in a Williams FW14B-Renault V10 with a time of 1m 17.070 sec and a speed of 198.521km/h (123.355 miles/h).

Magny-Cours is the home race of the Prost Grand Prix. It's a simple circuit with one long straight and several short ones combined with hairpins and a chicane.