Street circuits around the world
The second leg of the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup will be held on May 24 to 25 in Villar City, Cavite.
This marks the series’ return to a street circuit in nearly a decade – its last foray was the challenging track in Filinvest, Alabang. Unlike traditional circuits like Clark International Speedway, courses based on regular roads are more exciting to watch because spectators can get closer to the intense action (although these have much higher safety requirements).
And for the drivers, these tighter tracks mean much closer wheel-to-wheel action, requiring greater skill, precision and willpower behind the wheel. We take a look at some of the most popular street circuits in the world.
Singapore
Our neighbor Singapore has a lot going for it.
Aside from fantastic governance, a superior public-transport system, and the highest GDP per capita in Southeast Asia, it has also constructed one of the coolest race tracks in the Formula 1 (F1) calendar, despite having a land area that is only about 0.25 percent of the entire Philippines – the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
At just under 5 kilometers long, the current configuration features 19 turns that takes drivers through various districts of the wealthy city-state. It was added to the F1 calendar in the 2008 season, proving that sound and sufficient investment in infrastructure can turn city streets into playgrounds fit for the ultimate motorsport events.
Macau
Another Asian country that is renowned for its exciting street circuit is China, particularly the special administrative region of Macau.
The Guia Circuit first opened in 1954 and has been used for automobile and motorcycle races like TCR Asia, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. The track cannot host F1 races because of its FIA Grade 2 classification, but it remains in use for the prestigious Macau Grand Prix that continues to attract racing fans worldwide.
Its present layout is around 6.1 kilometers long, features considerable elevation changes, and has 24 turns throughout the southeast region of the popular gambling haunt.
Las Vegas
One of the newest street circuits in this list is Las Vegas, which was first used in the 2023 F1 season.
Although the United States has hosted F1 races at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas since 2012, the Las Vegas Strip Circuit provides a U.S. venue that is more challenging for the drivers and more memorable for the spectators. At around 3.8 miles (6.2 kilometers for us) long, the track has 17 turns that takes drivers through some of the city’s most notable landmarks.
“Sin City” has also hosted races of the Ferrari Challenge North America and the all-female F1 Academy, where our very own Bianca Bustamante had run two seasons before moving to the GB3 Championship for the 2025 season.
Monaco
Considered the birthplace of modern-day street circuits, Circuit de Monaco has been host to some of the world’s greatest racing events since 1929.
In fact, the Monaco Grand Prix is part of the unofficial “Triple Crown of Motorsport” that also includes winning the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In its current configuration, the 3.3-kilometer track throughout the posh principality includes demanding elevation changes and a tunnel.
But even after 95 years, the Monaco Grand Prix remains one of the most prestigious events in the Formula 1 calendar, proving the viability and longevity of street courses in motorsports.
With the TGR Philippine Cup heading back to the streets, do you foresee these exciting events on other roads around the country?
