Back in August, when EA Sports added Portimao and announced that Shanghai would follow onto F1 22, hopes were high among players of the game that we might see more "classic" tracks added to the game in the coming game.
Portimao left the calendar after 2021, while Shanghai has not featured since 2019, but both are popular among F1 fans for their fast, free-flowing nature.
There has been no sign of additional tracks being added to F1 22 just yet - but we can live in hope. Here are seven classics we'd love to see on the game.
F1 22 classic tracks: Seven circuits we'd love to see added to the game
Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
Perhaps the most sought-after track by fans, the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia is not only sorely missed on the F1 games, but on the sport's real-world calendar. The fast, open track regularly produced some of the best racing of the year, and with this year's F1 cars built to encourage wheel-to-wheel action, it would go down a treat on F1 22.
Istanbul Park Circuit, Turkey
After nearly a decade from F1, Istanbul Park returned to help fill the gaps on left on the 2020 and 2021 calendars by races cancelled due to COVID-19.
With a slippery surface and temperamental weather conditions aiding the race in both years, it was a popular addition, but it didn't make it onto either year's game, as it was added to the calendar late on both occasions. Getting to finally play it on F1 22 would be a treat.
Nurburgring, Germany
Another circuit that made a one-off return in 2020 due to COVID-19 wreaking havoc with the calendar, the Nurburgring hasn't featured on an F1 game since F1 2013. It's a classic, having been on the calendar in the form of the longer 'Nordschleife' circuit in the early years of the championship, and the 2020 race provided plenty of action.
Sakhir International Circuit "Oval", Bahrain
Jump onboard with @GeorgeRussell63 in FP1 - as he powers around the new layout at Sakhir... in a Mercedes 👀🚀#SakhirGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/dHqdWFjDBE
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 4, 2020
The most unusual venue F1 has visited in recent years, the Sakhir International Circuit's "Outer" layout was used for a second Bahrain race in 2020. With lap times sub-1 minute, and high average speeds around the wide-open Sakhir Circuit, it's one that gamers would be dying to try. The prospect of going wheel-to-wheel with racers on F1 22 through the twisty upper section of the track would be a treat.
Mount Fuji Raceway, Japan
The only track on this list never to feature on an EA or Codemasters F1 game, Fuji holds a famous place in the sport's history, as the site of the 1976 title showdown - which was made iconic to modern audiences by the 2013 film Rush.
With a mega long start-finish straight, and a balance of tight and tricky corners with wide open sweeping bends, this would be a brilliant challenge for F1 22 gamers.
Buddh International Circuit, India
This track was hugely popular among drivers during it's time on the F1 calendar, with Lewis Hamilton comparing it to the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. It only lasted three years from 2011 to 2013, but it produced great racing even in an era where this was tricky. With the more optimised cars on F1 22, there could be some seriously close races in store in India.
Hockenheimring, Germany
The Hockenheimring is the best of the modern adaptations of the dangerous mega circuits of F1's early era. Classic races there in 2014, 2018, and 2019 only endeared the track more to modern F1 fans, but it has sadly been absent from the calendar since Max Verstappen's win there in 2019. It would be an immensely popular addition to F1 22.
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