European Grand Prix 2009 - Valencia GP

History - Facts - Winners - Schedule - Host 2008 - Circuit

The city of Valencia has recently gone under various renovations and it is now ready to stage larger events, therefore, it will stage the America’s Cup Yacht Regatta later this year and next year it will host the European Grand Prix.

Formula One president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone (F1 Supremo) recently announced that the new Valencia race circuit will be part of the Formula One Calendar starting in 2008 and for a period of 7-years.

This decision was reached as in general there has been a very large increase in the interest for Formula One events in Spain and the city paid a very large amount approximately 26 million Euros in order to host the race.

The race will be titled the European Grand Prix and is scheduled to take place as one of the last events in the season. The Valencia circuit is a street circuit and it is between 4.1 to 4.3 kilometres (2.5-2.7 miles) located around the city harbour. The circuit’s design is being crafted by Hermann Tilke (designer of the sport’s most modern tracks) the track is to have many curves (zigzag layout) and very stretched; characteristics which will certainly resemble the Monaco Grand Prix.

Up to this point it is unknown whether Spain will have the two competitions (Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona and the European Grand Prix) on a yearly basis. Many approve the choice of alternating the circuits, just as Germany is currently doing with the Nurburg and Hockenheim rings.