Formula One adds glamour circuits

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Spanish city Valencia's spectacular redeveloped marina area and Singapore at night are the new highlights of Formula One's latest season. The new circuits are throwing down the gauntlet to the more traditional tracks, providing drivers with fresh challenges.

Australian Grand Prix

Location: Albert Park, Melbourne
Date: 16th March 2008
Laps: 58
Length: 5.30 km (3.3 miles
Winner: Lewis Hamilton

Home to Formula One racing since 1996, the street-based Albert Park circuit is popular with the drivers by virtue of the fact that it is quick and relatively easy to navigate.

It is not the best overtaking circuit, but turn one -- the Jones corner -- at the end of the pit straight offers the best chance to brake late and slip past.

There has been renewed pressure to have the grand prix run at night to accommodate European television audiences.

Malaysian Grand Prix

Location: Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 23rd March 2008
Laps: 56
Length: 5.54 km (3.44 miles)
Winner: Kimi Raikkonen

First hosted a F1 event in 1999. The Sepang circuit is rated as one of the finest modern venues in racing, with both teams and the media enjoying first-rate facilities. The track is full of broad straights and sweeping corners. The third longest track on the roster is perhaps the most complex that the drivers face all season.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Location: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
Date: 6th April 2008
Laps: 57
Length: 5.41 km (3.36 miles)
Winner: Felipe Massa

Bahrain remains the only Middle Eastern country to host a grand prix. Drivers feared sand blowing into their engines when it hosted its first grand prix in 2004, but the track, designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, is smooth and wide, which makes it good for overtaking.

Spanish Grand Prix

Location: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
Date: 27th April 2008
Laps: 66
Length: 4.65 km (2.89 miles)
Winner: ?

Built in 1991, the track hosts the first of nine races in Europe. Not super fast, and overtaking opportunities are best attempted at the end of the pit straight. The circuit has hosted some dramatic moments down the years. Most recently Fernando Alonso became the first Spaniard to win on home soil and Miki Hakkinen experienced clutch failure on the final lap in 2001. No prizes for guessing who won that race.

Turkish Grand Prix

Location: Istanbul Park, Kurtkoy
Date: 11th May 2008
Laps: 58
Length: 5.34 km (3.32 miles)
Winner: ?

One of only two circuits on the list that run anti-clockwise -- the other being Brazil's. The track has been praised since it came on to the roster in 2005. It produces mixed reactions from the drivers, although F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone calls it the "best track in the world". Consequently, he has guaranteed Turkey F1 status until 2021.

Monaco Grand Prix

Location: Monaco
Date: 25th May 2008
Laps: 78
Length: 3.34 km (2.1 miles)
Winner: ?

The jewel in the F1 crown, Monaco is probably the most famous circuit in the world. For many of the drivers it is their home grand prix, given their tax exile status. Qualifying well is a must here as the tight, short street circuit presents little opportunity for passing.

Canadian Grand Prix

Location: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
Date: 8th June 2008
Laps: 70
Length: 4.36 km (2.71 miles)
Winner: ?

One of the most popular stop offs on the F1 calendar, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve provides plenty of opportunity for overtaking, which makes it a favorite with the crowds. Barring 1987, it has been a regular fixture since 1978.

French Grand Prix

Location: Circuit de Nevers, Magny-Cours
Date: 22nd June 2008
Laps: 70
Length: 4.36 km (2.74 miles)
Winner: ?

Built in 1960, Magny-Cours' future as a venue for F1 remains in doubt. With few undulations and few places to overtake, the circuit gets a mixed reception from the drivers. Its remote location coupled with only a smattering of facilities makes a stay of execution beyond the end of the decade unlikely.

British Grand Prix

Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester
Date: 6th July 2008
Laps: 60
Length: 5.14 km (3.2 miles)
Winner: ?

Straddling the counties of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, the Silverstone circuit celebrates 21 consecutive years hosting F1 in 2008. A $50 million redevelopment was given the green light in 2007, which will hopefully secure the future of F1 racing at the track.

German Grand Prix

Location: Hockenheimring, Hockenheim
Date: 20th July 2008
Laps: 67
Length: 4.57 km (2.84 miles)
Winner: ?

One of the flattest tracks on the calendar, the Hockenheimring was shortened in 2002 at the behest of F1 bosses. The long, sweeping straights through the forest were chopped up into a series of tight corners. Drivers start in the race in the stadium section before making a foray into the forest. Their return is always greeted with rapturous cheers from the fanatical German fans -- all 120,000 of them.

Hungarian Grand Prix

Location: Hungaroring, Budapest
Date: 3rd August 2008
Laps: 70
Length: 4.38 km (2.72 miles)
Winner: ?

Since its inaugural race in 1986 -- when Hungary was still behind the Iron Curtain -- the circuit, with all its twists and turns, has produced some tight races. The Hungaroring will be on the F1 calendar until at least 2011.

Grand Prix of Europe

Location: Valencia Street Circuit, Valencia
Date: 24th August 2008
Laps: 57
Length: 5.47 km (3.4 miles)
Winner: ?

Situated in the heart of the recently renovated marina area, the Valencia Street Circuit becomes the first new street course in F1 since the introduction of Albert Park, Melbourne in 1996. The straights are long enough to allow top speeds in excess of 300 km/h and it also includes 25 turns.

Belgium Grand Prix

Location: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Date: 7th September 2008
Laps: 44
Length: 7.0 km (4.35 miles)
Winner: ?

One of the most historic and popular circuits on the F1 calendar. A roller-coaster ride is ensured for all drivers who enjoy the speed and contours of the circuit. It is the longest course with one of the world's toughest corners -- the Eau Rouge. Sudden changes in weather, elevation and a track that weaves through the Ardennes make this one of the most picturesque and dramatic venues in F1.

Italian Grand Prix

Location: Autodroma Nazionale Di Monza, Monza
Date: 14th September 2008
Laps: 53
Length: 5.8 km (3.6 miles)
Winner: ?

Monza has an atmosphere all of its own. Built in woodland, "La Pista Magica," as the Italians refer to it, has hosted F1 for decades. The long straights allow drivers to stay at full throttle for longer here than at any other circuit. Unsurprisingly, Monza has a pretty appalling safety record.

Singapore Grand Prix

Location: Singapore Street Circuit
Date: 28th September 2008
Laps: 61
Length: 5.1 km (3.14 miles)
Winner: ?

Singapore hosts the first night-time race in F1 history. The city skyline will provide a stunning backdrop to the events on track -- which weaves it way through the streets around the Marina Bay area. New technology will allow crowds to get close to the action without compromising driver or spectator safety.

Japanese Grand Prix

Location: Fuji Speedway, Gotemba
Date: 12th October 2008
Laps: 67
Length: 4.57 km (2.84 miles)
Winner: ?

Fuji hosted the first Japanese Grand Prix in 1976, but 2008 marks only the fourth occasion that the circuit has hosted F1. Closed for renovation between 2003 and 2005, the track has been completely updated by its owners, Toyota. It features a mile-long straight which provides ample opportunity for overtaking. On clear days the majestic Mount Fuji can be seen.

Chinese Grand Prix

Location: Shanghai International Circuit
Date: 19th October 2008
Laps: 56
Length: 5.5 km (3.39 miles)
Winner: ?

Keen to promote itself on the world stage, China has built an imposing and challenging circuit in Shanghai. The track has drawn praise from the drivers who appreciate the varied challenge it poses -- a good mix of turns and straights. Spectators seated in the main grandstand are able to see 80 percent of the track.

Brazilian Grand Prix

Location: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo
Date: 2nd November 2008
Laps: 71
Length: 4.30 km (2.7 miles)
Winner: ?

Interlagos, as it is still commonly known, draws one of the most enthusiastic crowds for the season finale. Bumpy and anti-clockwise, the track provides a stern test for drivers who generally attempt their overtaking maneuvers at the first corner. A carnival atmosphere is guaranteed. E-mail to a friend