Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Catalan pronunciation: [siɾˈkujd də bəɾsəˈlonə kətəˈluɲə]) is a 4.675 km (2.905 mi) motorsport race track in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit. The track has stands with a capacity of 140,700.[1] The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Configuration for FIA sanctioned events

Configuration for FIM sanctioned events
LocationMontmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates41°34′12″N 2°15′40″E
Capacity140,700
FIA Grade1 (GP)
2 (National)
6R (Rallycross)
Broke ground24 February 1989 (1989-02-24)
Opened10 September 1991 (1991-09-10)
Former namesCircuit de Catalunya (1991–2012)
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula One
Spanish Grand Prix
(1991–present)
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
European motorcycle Grand Prix (1992–1995)
Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix (1996–present)
World SBK (2020–present)
World RX of Spain (2015–present)
ELMS 4 Hours of Barcelona
(2008–2009, 2019, 2021–present)
GT World Challenge Europe (2017–present)
International GT Open
(2006–present)
FIA F2 (2017–2020, 2022)
FIA F3 (2019–present)
FREC (2019–present)
Euroformula Open
(2001–present)
TCR Europe (2018–present)
W Series (2022)
FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship (2012–2019, 2021–present)
24h de Barcelona Trofeu Fermí Vélez (2011–2016, 2018–2019, 2021–present)
Alpine Elf Europa Cup (2018–2019, 2021–present)
Future:
MotoE (2021, 2023)
Former:
DTM (2006–2009)
European Truck Racing Championship (2004–2009)
GP2 (2005–2016)
GP3 (2010–2018)
World Series Formula V8 3.5
(2002–2004, 2006–2013, 2016)
FIA GT (2003)
ETCC (2003)
FIA Sportscar Championship
(1999–2002)
Sidecar World Championship (1994–1996)
1992 Summer Olympics
Grand Prix Circuit (2021–present)
Length4.675 km (2.905 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:18.149 (Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, 2021, Formula One)
Motorcycle Circuit (2021–present)
Length4.657 km (2.894 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:39.939 (Johann Zarco, Ducati Desmosedici GP21, 2021, MotoGP)
Grand Prix Circuit (2007–2020) & Motorcycle Circuit (2016–2017)
Length4.655 km (2.892 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:18.183 (Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W11, 2020, Formula One)
Motorcycle Circuit (2018–2020) & Grand Prix Circuit (2004–2006)
Length4.627 km (2.875 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:15.641 (Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault R25, 2005, Formula One)
Motorcycle Circuit (1995–2016) & Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2003)
Length4.730 km (2.939 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:20.143 (Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari F2003-GA, 2003, Formula One)
Original Layout with Nissan Chicane (1994)
Length4.745 km (2.948 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:25.155 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton B194, 1994, Formula One)
Original Layout (1991–1993)
Length4.747 km (2.950 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:20.989 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193, 1993, Formula One)
Websitewww.circuitcat.com

Until 2013 the track was known only as the Circuit de Catalunya, before a sponsorship deal with Barcelona City Council added Barcelona to the track's title.[2]

History

Satellite picture of the circuit in 2018

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was built in 1991 and began hosting the Spanish Grand Prix that same year. Construction also coincided with the Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Barcelona[3] the next year, where the circuit acted as the start and finish line for the road team time trial cycling event.[4] The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya should not be confused with the Montjuïc circuit, which hosted the Spanish Grand Prix four times between 1969 and 1975 and, unlike the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, is actually located within the city of Barcelona.

Because so much testing is done at this circuit, Formula One drivers and mechanics are extremely familiar with it. This has led to criticism that drivers and mechanics are too familiar with Catalunya, reducing the amount of on-track action.

When first used, overtaking was frequent as cars could follow closely through the last two corners and slipstream down the long straight. As aerodynamic balance became more critical, this overtaking method drastically decreased as the cars were unable to follow each other through the fast final corner due to turbulence created by the leading car.[3] The 2007 season saw the first of the two final sweepers replaced with a slow chicane in an effort to improve overtaking. The chicane has been criticised for failing at this goal and causing congestion during qualifying sessions.[5] The chicane reduces speeds through the final corner, where serious accidents could occur.[6]

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted a motorcycle Grand Prix since 1992, originally the European motorcycle Grand Prix from 1992 and later the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix since 1996. There are at least five points on the track (turns 1, 2, 4, 10, 14) where riders are known to overtake. As in Formula 1, Turn 1 is arguably the most popular place for overtaking. The circuit is not known to produce copious amounts of overtaking, despite the long straights. Originally, the Formula 1 circuit changes were not instituted for MotoGP; however, after a fatal crash in the 2016 MotoGP round involving a Moto2 rider, Luis Salom, the Formula 1 layout was implemented to slow down riders for safety purposes. The FIM made a further change to the chicane for 2017 by moving up the chicane to prevent riders from cutting the pit lane entrance, but that was abandoned because the motorcycle chicane had a surface change that created more safety issues with the transition. Further changes were made to the circuit in December 2017 as grandstands were removed to add additional runoff that allowed the FIM to eliminate that chicane (although the Turn 10 hairpin was kept).

The track was resurfaced in 2018 as a result of calls by MotoGP riders to improve the amount of grip on the surface. Previously the track had been resurfaced in 2004.

The circuit hosted many other international racing series, including the FIA Sportscar Championship (1999–2002), European Touring Car Championship (2003), FIA GT Championship (2003), Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2006–2009), European Le Mans Series (2008–2009, 2019, 2021–present), and World Series Formula V8 3.5 (2002–2004, 2006–2013, 2016), GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup (2017–present), 24h de Barcelona Trofeu Fermí Vélez, and FIA World Rallycross Championship (2015-present).

Since 2016, the racetrack hosts the 24h BiCircuit Festival, an ultra-distance cycling event featuring 24-hour, 12-hour and 6-hour races for soloists and relay teams up to 8 riders.[7][8]

For the 2020 Formula One season Liberty Media expected the calendar would consist of twenty-one Grands Prix and that any new races would come at the expense of existing events, in particular the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort replacing the Spanish Grand Prix on Circuit de Barcelona,[9] but later negotiated an agreement with the teams to allow up to twenty-two Grands Prix, salvaging the Spanish Grand Prix. Before 2021 season, the circuit's F1 deal was extended for one more year. However in November 2021, the circuit's F1 deal was extended to 2026.[10]

Barcelona has the 3-star FIA Environmental Accreditation and the ISO 14001 certification. In a 2021 report, it was ranked the second most sustainable racetrack in the world, together with Circuit Paul Ricard and behind Mugello Circuit.[11]

Racing history

The circuit has been the site of some memorable moments. In 1991, Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell went down the entire front straight side by side while dueling for second place, with Mansell eventually taking the position and ultimately the race itself.[3] In 1994, Michael Schumacher managed to finish in second place despite driving over half the race with only fifth gear. In 1996, Schumacher took his first win as a Ferrari driver, after a dominant performance during a torrential rainstorm. In 2001, Mika Häkkinen suffered a clutch failure while leading the race on the last lap, handing the win to Schumacher. At the 2006 event, Fernando Alonso became the first Spanish Formula One driver to win at his home country's track.[3]

In 2008, Heikki Kovalainen left the track at 240 km/h (150 mph) after a wheel rim failure at turn 9. He managed to decelerate to 130 km/h (81 mph) when he hit the tyre barrier. He was temporarily unconscious and suffered a minor concussion,[12] but a few minutes later, spectators were relieved when he gave a thumbs up.

The circuit has been the scene of two debut wins in Formula One. Pastor Maldonado took his first and only Grand Prix victory and podium here in 2012, and in 2016 Max Verstappen won his first Grand Prix. As a result, he became the youngest driver to ever win an F1 Grand Prix race.

At the 2009 motorcycle Grand Prix, teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo fought all race long for first place, culminating in an overtake on the final corner by Rossi. Riders and pundits described the race as "historic" and "genius".[13]

On 3 June 2016, during Moto2 Free Practice for the 2016 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, Luis Salom crashed in turn 12, resulting in the session being red-flagged. After being transferred to the local Hospital General de Catalunya, Salom died of the injuries sustained in the crash. Upon hearing this, FIM decided to change the current layout of the track to the same layout as the one used in Formula One. After off-season discussions, the FIM announced that the track layout would be slightly modified in that the chicane would be moved up a few metres.

Layout

Pit lane entrance

The track is demanding of a car's aerodynamic qualities.[14] The wind direction at the circuit can change drastically during the day, a significant factor given the importance[15][16] of aerodynamics to modern Formula One cars. It is then hard to find a good setup since cars can have massive aerodynamic drag and understeer on one part of the circuit in the morning, but suffer oversteer at the same part of the circuit in the afternoon. A given tyre compound can work well when tested, but not so well a couple of months later. These changeable conditions can make for unexpected performances from some teams during the race. The changeable wind conditions have also caused accidents at the circuit, with Fernando Alonso's testing accident in 2015 partly blamed on the severity of the wind.

Turns 1–3

Through 2015, the MotoGP layout used the 1995-2003 version of the Grand Prix circuit. This was originally the same layout as Formula One, but in 2004 a new, slower La Caixa turn was built; the motorcycles continued to use the old version, and they also ignored the shorter Europcar turn and RACC chicane. The F1 layout was implemented for MotoGP originally in 2016 following the fatal accident of Luis Salom in Europcar corner on 3 June 2016. Race control switched to the F1 circuit for qualifying and the race on 5 June 2016. On 15 December 2016, the FIM announced the change was permanent by announcing plans for a chicane ahead of the current car chicane. However, during the 2017 race, the new chicane was deemed dangerous by riders because of a surface change, and the car chicane was used during that event. After changes to the track in the off-season including removing grandstands in Turn 12, creating additional runoff and a complete repaving of the circuit, the F1 layout from 2004 to 2006, including the new La Caixa hairpin instead of the long sweeper, was used, eliminating the chicane.

For 2021, the La Caixa hairpin was remodelled again, slower than the original one but faster than the F1 one. The alterations were done to improve safety for the drivers.[17]

The World RX of Spain uses parts of the track near turns 11–15, with two additional gravel sections.

A lap in a Formula One car

The start line

Turn 1 is the main overtaking point at Catalunya, as it is a braking zone at the end of a long DRS straight. The inside and outside are equally difficult for overtaking; drivers who can hold the line around the outside of turn one, can get the inside line for turn two. The corners themselves make up a medium-speed chicane – drivers brake rather late for turn one (Elf)[18] and shift down to gear two, and turn two is almost full throttle as they try to gain as much exit speed as possible. Turn 3 (Renault)[18] is a long, flat-out (in most cars) right-hander that has a g-force of about four,[18] and it leads to a short straight before turn 4, the Repsol[18] curve. Another right-hander, turn four is similar to Monza's Curva Parabolica – drivers brake and take an early apex (in third gear), carrying great speed out of the exit. Turn 5 (Seat)[18] comes immediately after and is a slow left-hander taken in second gear which drops rapidly downhill towards the left kink of turn 6 which is ignored by F1 cars. Turns 7 and 8 make up a medium-speed, uphill, left-right chicane. Drivers brake and shift down to gear three, and must not run too wide as turn eight has a large kerb on its apex which could potentially damage cars' suspensions. Turn 9, Campsa Corner, is a very fast, sixth-gear right-hander which is made incredibly difficult by being completely blind (drivers cannot see the apex on approach). It is initially quite steep uphill but the exit is then downhill, so it is quite easy to run wide onto the astroturf.[18] The long back straight leads into turn 10 (La Caixa), a second-gear, left-hand corner, then turns 11 and 12, a left kink before a long, slow, third-gear right. The next section has been redesigned by German engineer Hermann Tilke to lower speeds onto the 1,047 m (1,145 yd) pit straight – which in turn increases overtaking opportunities and safety.[19] Turn 13 is a tight, third-gear right-hander and drivers have to cross the track quickly to take the racing line through the slow left-right chicane of turns 14 and 15, taken in second gear. Good traction is needed here as it determines speed down the pit straight.[18] Turn 16 (New Holland)[18] is a flat-out right-hander which takes cars across the start/finish line.

Layout history

Events

Current
  • March: GT Winter Series
  • April: FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship Espiritú de Montjuїc
  • May: Formula One Spanish Grand Prix, FIA Formula 2 Championship, FIA Formula 3 Championship, W Series
  • June: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship, Campeonato de España de Superbike
  • July: 24 Horas de Catalunya de Motociclismo, Campeonatos de Catalunya de Motociclismo – CMV
  • August: European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Barcelona, Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux
  • September: Superbike World Championship, 24H Series 24h de Barcelona Trofeu Fermí Vélez, Alpine Elf Europa Cup
  • October: FIA World Rallycross Championship World RX of Catalunya, GT World Challenge Europe, International GT Open, GT4 European Series, Euroformula Open Championship, Formula Regional European Championship, TCR Europe Series, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe
  • November: Renault Clio Cup Europe, RFEDA Racing Weekend, F4 Spanish Championship
Future
  • MotoE Catalunya eRace (2021, 2023)
Former
  • Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2006–2009)
  • European Touring Car Championship (2003)
  • European Truck Racing Championship (2004–2009)
  • Euroseries 3000 (2006–2008)
  • FFSA GT Championship (2017–2018)
  • FIA GT Championship (2003)
  • FIA Sportscar Championship (1999–2002)
  • Formula 3 Euro Series (2006–2009)
  • Formula Renault Eurocup (2006–2013, 2017–2020)
  • GP2 Series Catalunya GP2 round (2005–2016)
  • GP3 Series (2010–2018)
  • Grand Prix motorcycle racing European motorcycle Grand Prix (1992-1995)
  • International Formula 3000 (1992, 1994–1995, 1998–2004)
  • Porsche Supercup (1993–1995, 1999–2020)
  • Sidecar World Championship (1994–1996)
  • World Series Formula V8 3.5 (2002–2004, 2006–2013, 2016)

Lap records

The official lap record for the current Grand Prix circuit layout is 1:18.149, set by Max Verstappen driving for Red Bull Racing in the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix. The official race lap records at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit (2021–present): 4.675 km
F11:18.149Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing RB16B2021 Spanish Grand Prix
FIA F21:34.231Jack DoohanDallara F2 20182022 Barcelona Formula 2 round
LMP21:35.797[20]Roman RusinovAurus 012021 4 Hours of Barcelona
FIA F31:36.643Dennis HaugerDallara F3 20192021 Barcelona Formula 3 round
Euroformula Open1:36.779[21]Jak CrawfordDallara 3202021 Barcelona Euroformula Open round
LMP31:41.351[22]Scott AndrewsLigier JS P3202021 Barcelona Le Mans Cup round
FREC1:42.518[23]Isack HadjarTatuus F3 T.3182021 Barcelona FREC round
LM GTE1:44.700[20]Gianmaria BruniPorsche 911 RSR-192021 4 Hours of Barcelona
GT31:45.129[24]Joe OsborneMcLaren 720S GT32022 Barcelona International GT Open round
W Series1:47.367[25]Jamie ChadwickTatuus FT-602022 Barcelona W Series round
Formula 41:47.837[26]Pepe MartíTatuus F4-T0142021 Barcelona F4 Spain round
Carrera Cup1:49.772[27]Marvin KleinPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup2021 Barcelona Porsche Carrera Cup France round
JS P41:53.945[28]Steve ZacchiaLigier JS P42021 Barcelona Ligier European Series round
TCR Touring Car1:54.929[29]Mikel AzconaCupra León Competicion TCR2021 Barcelona TCR Spain round
GT41:55.478[30]Jim PlaMercedes-AMG GT42021 Barcelona GT4 European Series round
JS2 R1:56.186[28]Natan BihelLigier JS2 R2021 Barcelona Ligier European Series round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup1:57.512[31]Ugo de WildeAlpine A110 Cup2021 Barcelona Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
Motorcycle Circuit (2021–present): 4.657 km
MotoGP1:39.939Johann ZarcoDucati Desmosedici GP212021 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
World SBK1:41.135[32]Álvaro BautistaDucati Panigale V4 R2022 Barcelona World SBK round
Moto21:43.757Raúl FernándezKalex Moto22021 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP1:45.157[33]Dominique AegerterYamaha YZF-R62022 Barcelona World SSP round
Moto31:48.209Darryn BinderHonda NSF250RW2021 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
MotoE1:50.769Eric GranadoEnergica Ego2021 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Supersport 3001:55.145[34]Álvaro DíazYamaha YZF-R32021 Barcelona Supersport 300 round
Grand Prix Circuit (2007–2020) & Motorcycle Circuit (2016–2017): 4.655 km
F11:18.183Valtteri BottasMercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance2020 Spanish Grand Prix
GP21:29.989Kazuki NakajimaDallara GP2/052007 Catalunya GP2 Series round
FIA F21:30.039Nicholas LatifiDallara F2 20182018 Barcelona Formula 2 round
Formula Renault 3.51:32.313[35]Will StevensDallara T122013 Barcelona Formula Renault 3.5 Series round
LMP11:33.515[36]Stéphane SarrazinPeugeot 908 HDi FAP2008 1000 km of Catalunya
GP31:33.846[37]Anthoine HubertDallara GP3/162018 Barcelona GP3 Series round
LMP21:34.644[38]Antonin BorgaOreca 072019 4 Hours of Barcelona
FIA F31:34.711Jehan DaruvalaDallara F3 20192019 Barcelona Formula 3 round
Euroseries 30001:36.824[39]Giacomo RicciLola B02/502007 Barcelona Euroseries 3000 round
FREC1:41.655[40]Pierre-Louis ChovetTatuus F3 T.3182020 Barcelona FREC round
LMP31:42.177[41]Laurents HörrNorma M302019 Barcelona Le Mans Cup round
Formula Renault 2.01:43.555[42]Christian LundgaardTatuus FR2.0/132018 Barcelona Formula Renault Eurocup round
GT1 (GTS)1:45.141[36]Antonio GarcíaAston Martin DBR92008 1000 km of Catalunya
LM GTE1:45.529[38]Matteo CairoliPorsche 911 RSR2019 4 Hours of Barcelona
MotoGP1:45.969Jonas FolgerYamaha YZR-M12017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula 41:47.418[43]Thomas ten BrinkeTatuus F4-T0142020 Barcelona F4 Spain round
Carrera Cup1:48.678[44]Ayhancan GüvenPorsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup2018 Barcelona Porsche Carrera Cup France round
Moto21:49.712Álex MárquezKalex Moto22017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Ferrari Challenge1:50.384[45]Thomas NeubauerFerrari 488 Challenge Evo2020 Barcelona Ferrari Challenge Europe round
Formula BMW1.51.233[46]Esteban GutiérrezMygale FB022008 Barcelona Formula BMW Europe round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy1:52.332[47]Mirko BortolottiRenault Mégane Renault Sport II2013 Barcelona Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
Moto31:53.861Jorge MartínHonda NSF250RW2017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
TCR Touring Car1:54.971[48]Ashley SuttonVolkswagen Golf GTI TCR2018 Barcelona TCR Europe round
National Circuit (2007–2020): 2.977 km
Formula 31:07.062[49]Andrea CaldarelliDallara F3082009 Barcelona F3 Euro Series round
DTM1:08.048[50]Timo ScheiderAudi A4 DTM 20092009 Barcelona DTM round
Formula BMW1.15.010[51]Philipp EngMygale FB022007 Barcelona Formula BMW ADAC round
Motorcycle Circuit (2018–2020) & Grand Prix Circuit (2004–2006): 4.627 km
F11:15.641Giancarlo FisichellaRenault R252005 Spanish Grand Prix
GP21:25.550[52]Adrián VallésDallara GP2/052006 Catalunya GP2 Series round
F30001:34.233[53]Vitantonio LiuzziLola B02/502004 Barcelona F3000 round
MotoGP1:40.021Jorge LorenzoDucati Desmosedici GP182018 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
World SBK1:41.828[54]Álvaro BautistaHonda CBR1000RR-R2020 Barcelona World SBK round
Moto21:43.544Sam LowesKalex Moto22020 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP1:45.869[55]Andrea LocatelliYamaha YZF-R62020 Barcelona World SSP round
Carrera Cup1:46.187[56]David SaelensPorsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup2005 Barcelona Porsche Supercup round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy1:47.921[57]Jaap van LagenRenault Mégane Renault Sport2006 Barcelona Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
Moto31:48.702Romano FenatiHusqvarna FR250GP2020 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Supersport 3001:55.959[58]Jeffrey BuisKawasaki Ninja 4002020 Barcelona Supersport 300 round
National Circuit (2004–2006): 2.949 km
Euroseries 30001:01.017[59]Jérôme d'AmbrosioLola B02/502006 Barcelona Euroseries 3000 round
Formula 31:01.876[60]Kohei HirateDallara F3052006 Barcelona F3 Euro Series round
DTM1:03.919[61]Bernd SchneiderAMG-Mercedes C-Klasse 20062006 Barcelona DTM round
Motorcycle Circuit (1995–2016) & Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2003): 4.730 km
F11:20.143Rubens BarrichelloFerrari F2003-GA2003 Spanish Grand Prix
F30001:31.597[62]Emmanuel CléricoReynard 95D1995 Barcelona F3000 round
LMP9001:35.161[63]Franck MontagnyDallara SP12002 FIA Sportscar Championship Barcelona
MotoGP1:42.182Marc MárquezHonda RC213V2014 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
LMP6751:42.386[63]Piergiuseppe PeroniLucchini SR20012002 FIA Sportscar Championship Barcelona
GT1 (GTS)1:45.081[64]Christophe BouchutChrysler Viper GTS-R2003 FIA GT Barcelona 500km
Moto21:46.474Álex RinsKalex Moto22015 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
N-GT1:49.504[64]Marc LiebPorsche 911 (996) GT3 RS2003 FIA GT Barcelona 500km
Moto31:50.606Efrén VázquezHonda NSF250RW2015 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Carrera Cup1:53.012[65]Oliver MathaiPorsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup1999 Barcelona Porsche Supercup round
Super 20001:54.863[66]Dirk MüllerBMW 320i2003 Barcelona ETCC round
Original Grand Prix Circuit with Nissan Chicane: 4.745 km (1994)
F11:25.155Michael SchumacherBenetton B1941994 Spanish Grand Prix
F30001:34.639[67]Jean-Christophe BoullionReynard 94D1994 Barcelona F3000 round
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.747 km (1991–1994)
F11:20.989Michael SchumacherBenetton B1931993 Spanish Grand Prix
F30001:30.536[68]Emanuele NaspettiReynard 92D1992 Barcelona F3000 round
500cc1:48.583Mick DoohanHonda NSR5001992 European motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc1:50.362Loris CapirossiHonda NSR2501994 European motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc1:56.514Peter ÖttlAprilia RS125R1994 European motorcycle Grand Prix

Financial problems

The public attendance at the Spanish Grand Prix, and at the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, have fallen significantly since 2007, which has complicated the economic solvency of this circuit.[69][70][71][72]

At least since 2009, the circuit is economically deficient, and in the period 2009–2018, €50.5m of losses were generated. The economic survival of the circuit is only guaranteed by large volumes of public money, which both the Provincial Deputation of Barcelona and the Generalitat de Catalunya provide in the form of grants and rinsing of losses.[72][73][74][75]

Given these poor results, some senior officials of the Generalitat de Catalunya have considered eliminating Formula One from this Circuit. Due to the irregularities detected in the last audit, the City Council of Barcelona decided to cancel the economic grant that the circuit received until now, which has aggravated its economic survival.[76] Recently, some more irregularities have been detected, even by the Generalitat de Catalunya.[77]

Noise pollution

The circuit is located in an elevated area with respect to its environment, and without protective measures to minimize the noise pollution produced by cars, motorbikes and other vehicles. Therefore, it is a real source of acoustic disturbance, and the noise produced during many days of racing and testing during the year is noticeable for many kilometers around the circuit, especially in the adjacent municipalities, which is recognized by the Generalitat itself, the main owner of the Circuit.[78]

References

  1. "Stadiums in Spain - Catalonia". Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  2. "Circuit de Catalunya includes Barcelona in its name". Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. Furnell, Claire (November 2009). "Circuit de Catalunya". en.espnf1.com. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  4. 1992 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 2. pp. 305–7.
  5. Boxall-Legge, Jake (10 May 2021). "The changes Barcelona needs to provide a modern-day F1 spectacle". Autosport. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  6. Smith, Damian (11 August 2020). "How the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya brought F1 to life in Spain". Motor Sport magazine. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  7. BiCircuit Festival at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya official website
  8. 24h BiCircuit Festival official website
  9. Collantine, Keith (9 May 2019). "Sainz fears it's "too late" to save Spanish GP for 2020". Racefans.net. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  10. "Formula 1 renews deal with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya until 2026". f1.com. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  11. Racing towards a sustainable future - A Review of the sustainability performance of international racing circuits - Enovation Consulting Ltd and Right Hub Srl, June 2021
  12. Andrew Baker; Charlie Caroe (28 April 2008). "Heikki Kovalainen: I don't remember accident". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  13. "Catalunya 2009 Motogp 'Rossi teaches Lorenzo a lesson!'".
  14. "Spanish Grand Prix: All you need to know after Lewis Hamilton takes pole". BBC Sport. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  15. "Aerodynamics". Formula One World Championship Limited. Retrieved 27 June 2016. Ask any engineer in the pit lane and they'll tell you that the most important consideration in F1 car design [...] is aerodynamics.
  16. "Aerodynamics in racing". f1technical.net. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2016. Nowadays, aerodynamics is the utmost important factor in Formula One car performance.
  17. "Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya complete remodelling of Turn 10". formula1.com. 1 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  18. "Catalunya track guide". F1 Fanatic. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  19. "How Hermann Tilke conquered the F1 calendar". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  20. "2021 4 Hours of Barcelona Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  21. "2021 Euroformula Open Championship Catalunya Statistics". Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  22. "2021 Michelin Le Mans Cup Barcelona Round Final Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  23. "2021 FREC Catalunya Results Race 2". Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  24. "2022 International GT Open Barcelona Race 2 Provisional Classification by Driver Fastest Lap" (PDF). Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  25. "W Series 2022 Barcelona Statistics". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  26. "2021 F4 Spain Barcelona Carrera 3 (25' +1 Lap) Final Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 16 November 2021.
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