F1 2009: Chase the Race with Skyscanner

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Skyscanner introduces the F1 2009 races and how to get to them.

The Formula One season has begun, as very few would have predicted, with World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, having failed to finish in a podium place in four races. Instead, Jenson Button and the brand new Brawn GP team have dominated the racing so far. Neutrals will be pleased to see a different face at the top of the F1 standings, whilst Hamilton fans will be wondering what he can do as the season progresses.

Skyscanner brings you a brief run down of what’s happening when and where, and digs up some flight deals to get you to the action.

2009 Racing Calendar

Spanish Grand Prix (Catalunya) 08 - 10 May
The first European race of the season will mark the “start” of the F1 season for many teams as they get a chance to iron some of the problems encountered in the first few races.  Kimi Räikkönen will hope he can recapture the form of last year in Spain which saw him securing pole, fastest lap and a victory.

Race Date: 10 May 2009
Number of Laps: 66
Circuit Length: 4.655 km
Race Distance: 307.104 km
Lap Record: 1:21.670 - K Räikkönen (2008)

Find cheap flights to Barcelona

Monaco Grand Prix (Monte Carlo) 21 - 24 May
Monaco embodies all that is glamorous about F1, and the street circuit, which is famously difficult for overtaking, will be lined with the great, the good, the not so good but who all will have something in common – they’ll be rich!

Race Date: 24 May 2009
Number of Laps: 78
Circuit Length: 3.340 km
Race Distance: 260.520 km
Lap Record: 1:14.439 - M Schumacher (2004)

Find cheap flights to Nice

Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul) 05 - 07 Jun
Brazilian Felipe Massa loves Istanbul Park and it will be interesting to see if he can secure his first points of the season by recreating previous wins here and gain some much needed points for Ferrari.  For the tourist, Istanbul offers a fascinating base from which to explore when the racing isn’t on.

Race Date: 07 Jun 2009
Number of Laps: 58
Circuit Length: 5.338 km
Race Distance: 309.396 km
Lap Record: 1:24.770 - JP Montoya (2005)

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British Grand Prix (Silverstone) 19 - 21 Jun
British fans will be hoping that one of our lads can do something special this weekend and give us something to cheer about on home turf.  Hamilton was victorious in 2008, but the smart money this year will be on Jenson Button.

Race Date: 21 Jun 2009
Number of Laps: 60
Circuit Length: 5.141 km
Race Distance: 308.355 km
Lap Record: 1:18.739 - M Schumacher (2004)

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German Grand Prix (Nürburgring) 10 - 12 Jul
The German Grand Prix has been held in several locations since it began in 1983, but Nürburgring has been the most frequent choice for organisers.  The circuit sits in the Eifel Mountains near the Rhein River valley.

Race Date: 12 Jul 2009
Number of Laps: 60
Circuit Length: 5.148 km
Race Distance: 308.863 km
Lap Record: 1:29.468 - M. Schumacher (2004)

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Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest) 24 - 26 Jul
Back in 2008, Heikki Kovaleinen grabbed a surprise victory to win what really should have been triumph for Massa at the Hungarian Grand Prix. So grab yourself a great deal, and watch who will be champion this year in the 70 lap battle. And don’t overlook Budapest’s spectacular thermal baths and classy coffee shops too.

Race Date: 26 Jul 2009
Number of Laps: 70
Circuit Length: 4.381 km
Race Distance: 306.630 km
Lap Record: 1:19.071 - M Schumacher (2004)

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European Grand Prix (Valencia) 21 - 23 Aug
The Spanish streets of Valencia will be enveloped in the roar of the Formula 1 cars as they hold the European Grand Prix, the second Spanish race on the F1 calendar.  Like Monaco, this exciting harbour-side circuit is in the very heart of the ancient city.

Race Date: 23 Aug 2009
Number of Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.419 km
Race Distance: 308.883 km
Lap Record: 1:38.708 - F Massa (2008)

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Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) 28 - 30 Aug
The Grand Prix of Belgium is always one of the most dramatic of the season as the stirring sound of engines scream through the Valley of the Ardennes in contrast with the beautiful setting of the surrounding countryside.

Race Date: 30 Aug 2009
Number of Laps: 44
Circuit Length: 7.004 km
Race Distance: 308.052 km
Lap Record: 1:45.108 - K Raikkonen (2004)

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Italian Grand Prix 2009 (Monza) 11 - 13 Sep
The Monza circuit is one of the most renowned motor racing circuits in the world with a long history of momentous memories. As the home of Ferrari, the F1 event at Monza is a raucous and passionate affair where the Italian fans cheer on the team which is so close to their hearts.

Race Date: 13 Sep 2009
Number of Laps: 53
Circuit Length: 5.793 km
Race Distance: 306.720 km
Lap Record: 1:21.046 - R Barrichello (2004)

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Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore) 25 - 27 Sep
The first Singapore Grand Prix was a huge success in 2008 and is staged in the Marina Bay area of the city. As if driving at 190mph in an urban area was not challenging enough, this is the only event which is staged at night with the Singapore circuit lit up under floodlights.

Race Date: 27 Sep 2009
Number of Laps: 61
Circuit Length: 5.067 km
Race Distance: 308.950 km
Lap Record: 1:45.599 - K Raikkonen (2008)

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Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka) 02 - 04 Oct
Suzuka is one of the oldest circuits on the tour and has a long history of exciting battles on the track. The visitor is also treated to Motopia – an amusement park for those of a petrol-head persuasion.  Let’s be honest, if you’re flying all the way to Japan for an F1 race, then you certainly are one.

Race Date: 04 Oct 2009
Number of Laps: 53
Circuit Length: 5.807 km
Race Distance: 307.573 km
Lap Record: 1:31.540 - K. Raikkonen (2005)

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Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo) 16 - 18 Oct
Sao Paulo is unlikely to see the same drama as last year when Louis Hamilton somehow managed to secure his much needed fifth place in the last lap of the race.  The Brazilians love Formula 1 though, so the atmosphere will be electric as usual.

Race Date: 18 Oct 2009
Number of Laps: 71
Circuit Length: 4.309 km
Race Distance: 305.909 km
Lap Record: 1:11.473 - JP Montoya (2004)

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit) 30 Oct - 01 Nov
This is the first time the United Arab Emirates has staged a Grand Prix and sensibly, given the climate, it is the last in the F1 calendar.  Even so, temperatures could well be at boiling point by this stage in the season and Jenson Button had better watch his tail – especially after Bahrain.

Race Date: 01 Nov 2009
Number of Laps: 55
Circuit Length: 5.554 km
Race Distance: 305.470 km
Lap Record: n/a  

Find cheap flights to Abu Dhabi