Formula 1 Spain Grand Prix History
History - Facts - Winners - Schedule - Circuit
The Circuit de Catalunya is located only 30km from Barcelona. It is easily accessible on major routes, either the N152 or the A7 motorway (exit 13) towards Gerona. Formula 1 drivers are quite familiar with Barcelona's Circuit (Catalunya); drivers have raced there since 1991 and they have conduct extensive testing at the track.
Barcelona is a mixture of high and low-speed corners, plus its abrasive and rather bumpy track surface. It is quite a challenge for the car and the driver. Tire wear is particularly high and the varying winds that cut across the circuit may complicate even more this particularly hard race.
For yearly Formula 1 spectators the Elf corner is one of the best places to watch the race. For the drivers, it is the final two turns known as New Holland, which provide one of the biggest challenges of the season and a fast exit is essential in order to maximize speed down the start-finish straight into Elf.
Barcelona hosted for the 13th time in 2003 the Spanish Grand Prix. The most successful driver at this circuit has been Michael Schumacher with a total of five victories, while in 1997 Jacques Villeneuve became the other Formula 1 driver who won there as well.
The first stone of the Circuit de Catalunya was laid on the 24th February 1989, thanks to the drive of the Consortium formed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Reial Automòbil Club de Catalunya and the Montmeló Town Council.
The Circuit de Catalunya hosted its first official race, the Spanish Touring Car Championship won by an ex-F1 driver, Luis Pérez Sala. On the 29th September 1991, the 35th F1Spanish Grand Prix took place, 16 years after it was held in Catalonia for the last time.
Motor racing events had taken place in Spain prior to the development of the Grand Prix, the most notable one is the Catalan Cup of 1908 and 1909, on roads near Barcelona. Jules Goux won both of these events, establishing a strong racing tradition in Catalonia, which has continued to this day.
After this first race, the Spanish track fell into financial problems and the main race moved to the Circuito Lasarte track on the northern coast. In 1946, racing returned to Spain in the form of the Penya Rhin Grand Prix at the Pedralbes Circuit in Barcelona.
It was not until 1951 when Spain returned to the international calendar joining the list of races of the Formula One championship.
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