CATALUNYA
 Overview
The Circuit de Catalunya is one of the most modern tracks prepared to hold the most important motor racing competitions. Inaugurated in 1991, there are three different routes: the Grand Prix track, with 4.727 m; the National track, with 3.067 m; and the School track, with 1.703 m. The Circuit de Catalunya was built up thanks to the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Catalan government, and the RACC impetus.
The circuit also boasts the largest permenant press room in Europe, a permenant restaurant with a capacity for upto 200 people, a petrol station, 2 heliports and outside areas for 4x4 activities.
With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit. As such it is the sport's most important testing ground. Due to the fact that 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.
Specifications:
- Global surface of the area: 115 ha
- Circuit's surface (inner enclosure): 79,5 ha
- 65.000 m2 of paddock surface
- Inside car park spaces: 1.200; Outside: 25.000
- Starting time: 14:00 CET
- Local time: CET
- First GP: 1951
- Circuit length: 4,727 km
- Race laps: 65 laps
- Total distance: 308,356 km
- Winner 2006: Fernando Alonso, Renault
- Fastest lap: Giancarlo Fisichella - 2005, Renault - 1:15.641
History:
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 Catalan Government), the Reial Automňbil Club de Catalunya and the Montmeló Town Council.
Prior to this, on the 3rd October 1986, the Catalan Parliament unanimously approved a green paper requesting the Executive Council to "co-ordinate the relevant bodies in order to conduct a study and join forces to create a new permanent racing circuit".
Five days after the official opening on the 10th September 1991, 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. The World Motorcycling Championship was to arrive a year later with the European Grand Prix, which was to change its name to the Catalan Grand Prix in 1995.
2004 changes:
 The Circuit de Catalunya will start work to improve its facilities for the 2004 season in five different points. The main two areas being a new braking point at the entrance of the stadium area, at turning "La Caixa", and improvements at the Repsol bridge. Apart from that a stretch of the main straight will be reasphalted, and outside walls at Repsol and Seat will be moved back. Thanks to the new stretch, turning "La Caixa" will be sharper and a 100 metres long straight will join it to the turning Banc Sabadell. This new stretch will be used for Formula 1. The area between both stretches will be asphalted.
Top of Page | Circuit Menu |
