Formula 1 relies on this father-and-son duo to design iconic racetracks like the Las Vegas Strip Circuit

Hermann Tilke said sketches begin with the start/finish line.

“That’s where we start, because that part of the track has to be straight, and it has to be flat,” he said. “From there we design the rest, and we ask ourselves: How long is this track? If it’s long, we can make very fast corners, sweeping corners, and so on.”

Topography often adds intrigue to the track; he pointed to Circuit of the Americas as a prime example. After a flat start/finish line, the circuit elevates sharply heading into turn one, giving the venue a distinctive feature.

“The elevation is what makes that first turn iconic,” he said.

Beyond the track layout, the designers must consider hospitality sections, grandstands, general-admission viewing areas, and much more.

“The paddock is a huge area that you need and must account for,” Carsten Tilke said. “Then there’s the medical center, media, kitchen tents — a whole infrastructure you must support.”

Finally, the Tilkes consider the purpose of each track. Some are dedicated solely to Formula 1, while others aim to host additional racing series, such as MotoGP, a global motorcycle series, or private track days for luxury-car owners. The Tilkes say this can affect things such as the size and length of runoff areas.

Unique challenges

Asked about which of their tracks was the most difficult to design, the Tilkes laughed. “They each come with their own set of challenges,” Hermann Tilke said.

Some circuits require a lightning-fast turnaround time. The Tilkes said the Jeddah Corniche Circuit was the fastest project they completed, going from concept to completion in less than a year.

“When F1 is coming, that date is set — we cannot be one weekend longer,” Carsten Tilke said. “With Jeddah, we needed to design and construct at the same time, so everything needed to happen in parallel. In the end, it took about 11 months, and it all worked out — something we are very proud of.”

Just like his father, Carsten Tilke has competed as a race-car driver. He says a passion for motorsports is essential for everyone at the firm.

“The projects we have are difficult and challenging, so if you don’t have a passion for it — if you are just doing it because it’s work — you won’t have the success we have,” he said.

And there’s never a dull day for the Tilkes. They’re working on two major Formula 1 projects: a Madrid street circuit set to debut in 2026, and a new racetrack in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, designed to boast steep elevations and a Six Flags theme park running alongside it.