Most Exciting F1 Races of All Time

There’s nothing quite like the theatre of Formula One.

It's a sport where split-second decisions, daring overtakes, and breathtaking comebacks can redefine legacies in an instant.

Over the decades, the grid has played host to countless showdowns, but only a select few have etched themselves into the annals of history as the most exciting F1 races of all time.

From title-deciding last laps to battles fought under the floodlights, these are the races that left us utterly enthralled by the drama.

Here are the most exhilarating Grands Prix ever witnessed:

1. Abu Dhabi 2021

2. Bahrain 2014

3. Monaco 1992

4. Spain 1996

5. Singapore 2008

6. Brazil 2012

6. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 2021

There’s nothing quite like a championship that comes down to the very last race — the tension, the strategy, the raw edge-of-your-seat drama. Abu Dhabi has played host to its fair share of finales, but few compare to the showdown that unfolded in 2021.

After 21 races, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton arrived in the UAE capital locked on 369.5 points apiece. It was set up perfectly: two rivals, one sunset-soaked circuit, and everything to fight for. Hamilton commanded the race from the off, stretching his lead with the precision of a seasoned champion. But with just five laps remaining, everything changed.

Nicholas Latifi’s crash triggered a safety car, gifting Verstappen the opportunity to dive into the pits for fresh soft tyres. The gap Hamilton had built was wiped out in seconds. When the track was cleared and lapped cars were waved through, the stage was set for a final-lap showdown. Verstappen, on fresher rubber, closed in with unrelenting pace, sweeping past Hamilton as the chequered flag came into view to seal the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship.

It was a moment that left millions speechless, and we were lucky enough to witness it firsthand at Yas Marina Circuit. If this year’s race is anything like that iconic duel — or any of our other favourite Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race wins — it’ll be one you won’t want to miss.

With our VIP hospitality package, you can soak in all the sunset racing action from the comfort of our private, air-conditioned suite. It's the perfect way to experience the thrill of Abu Dhabi — right where the drama unfolds.

5. Bahrain Grand Prix, 2014

The 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix delivered a spectacle under the floodlights of Sakhir Circuit, marking the race’s first-ever night event to celebrate its tenth anniversary. It was a dazzling display that would become known as the “Duel in the Desert”—a battle that set the tone for one of the fiercest rivalries in modern Formula 1.

Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg went head-to-head from the very first lap, swapping positions in a relentless fight for supremacy. The pair pushed each other to the limit, executing daring overtakes and defensive manoeuvres that had fans on the edge of their seats.

As the race drew to a close, the tension was palpable. Rosberg, armed with fresher tyres, made his move, but Hamilton's defensive prowess held firm. When the chequered flag dropped, Hamilton crossed the line a mere one second ahead — a victory as slender as it was significant.

The grand finale of that 2014 season in Abu Dhabi also deserves a mention as it was undoubtebly one of Lewis Hamilton's greatest moments. After all was said and done, it was Lewis Hamilton who won the World Drivers' Championship with 384 points and an impressive 11 victories — ahead of Rosberg's 317 points — as he marked a new era of Mercedes dominance.

Did you know?

Following Michael Schumacher’s 2013 skiing accident, the first turn at the Bahrain F1 track was named in honour of the seven-time World Champion. Schumacher won the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004 and even helped with the track's design. It remains the only turn at the circuit with a name other than a number.

4. Monaco Grand Prix, 1992

If there’s one race that belongs on every Formula 1 fan’s bucket list, it’s the Monaco Grand Prix. With its narrow streets, unforgiving barriers, and iconic harbour views, it’s little wonder that this historic circuit has played host to some of the sport’s most thrilling moments.

Among them, few are more legendary than the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix— an epic duel between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell that still echoes through the streets of Monte Carlo. For much of the race, Mansell seemed untouchable, his Williams gliding through the tight corners with effortless pace. But on Lap 71, everything changed...

A mechanical issue forced Mansell into the pits, his comfortable lead slipping away. The stop, agonisingly slow by championship standards, allowed Senna to fly past and seize the advantage. What followed was six laps of pure drama — Mansell, on fresher tyres, harried the back of Senna’s McLaren, searching for any gap, any mistake.

But Senna was the undisputed master of Monaco and defended with flawless precision. Corner after corner he wrestled his car through each apex with millimetre-perfect accuracy to deny Mansell at every overtaking opportunity.

When the chequered flag finally waved, it was Senna who crossed the line first, securing one of his most famous victories. So intense was the battle that Mansell needed assistance from the race stewards just to reach the podium. For Senna, it was another step towards becoming a racing legend. His victory in 1992 was one of six career wins at Monaco, a record that still stands unchallenged to this day.

3. Spanish Grand Prix, 1996

2. Singapore Grand Prix, 2008

Singapore is spectacular enough all on its own. But throw in a Formula 1 race smack-bang in the middle of the city centre as night falls, and you have something truly special.

The Singapore Grand Prix was first introduced to the F1 calendar in 2008 as Formula One’s very first night race. It also turned out to be one of the most controversial and dramatic weekends in the sport's history. 

It's drama-filled debut saw Fernando Alonso eventually take the win having started in 15th, aided in the final laps by a safety car following Nelson Piquet Jr's crash. At the time, it was an impressive accomplishment, however a year later when Renault ended their contract with Piquet Jr, it emerged that the driver had been ordered by Renault to intentionally crash. This ensured a timely safety car, which aided Alonso's pathway to the front for a surprising victory. 

Following the investigation, former Renault Managing Director Flavio Briatore was banned from motorsport for life and Piquet Jr stated that he 'bitterly regretted' the decision to accept the orders. 

You can be at Singapore’s thrilling night race at the legendary Marina Bay Circuit. From super cars and Singapore Slings to indulgent hotels and eclectic dining, reserve your spot today for a dream F1 weekend.

1. Brazilian Grand Prix, 2012

The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos was one of the most drama-filled of the decade.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso had been slugging it out for the championship title all season, and Vettel arrived in Brazil with a 13-point lead for the final race.

Damp conditions ensued from the very beginning, and just seconds into the opening lap, Vettel was facing backwards following a crash with Bruno Senna. Vettel ended up at the rear of the field, while Alonso moved into a championship-winning third place.

Despite suffering car damage, Vettel began fighting his way back up the order. By Lap 8, he was already back up to sixth and Alonso in fourth, meaning the title was back in the Red Bull driver's sights. Following torrential rain, several more crashes and retirements, the race ended with Alonso finishing in second-place and Vettel in sixth, which meant he had done enough to claim his third world title by a margin of just three points.

Beyond the Vettel-Alonso face-off, Brazil 2012 was also a race marked by endings. It was Michael Schumacher’s last F1 race, the last pole position for Jenson Button and Hamilton’s final race for McLaren, before his career-defining switch to Mercedes.

What are the new F1 races for 2026?

In 2026, we can all look forward to a brand-new Formula One calendar addition in Madrid as the Spanish Grand Prix moves from Barcelona to the capital.

We'll be treated to a brand-new F1 circuit in the Barajas district that will snake through a mixture of slow, medium and high-speed corners on private land and public roads. 

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Or listen to our Product Manager, Simon, talk all things Formula One, from the luxurious super-yachts of the Monaco Grand Prix to the spectacular F1 finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on the Inspiring Travel Podcast below.