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Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Coordinates: 41°34′12″N 2°15′40″E / 41.57000°N 2.26111°E / 41.57000; 2.26111
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Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane

Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane
LocationMontmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates41°34′12″N 2°15′40″E / 41.57000°N 2.26111°E / 41.57000; 2.26111
Capacity140,700
FIA Grade1 (2 layouts)
2 (2 layouts)
6R (Rallycross)
Broke ground24 February 1989; 35 years ago (1989-02-24)
Opened10 September 1991; 33 years ago (1991-09-10)
Former namesCircuit de Catalunya (1991–2013)
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 (2020–2024)
ELMS 4 Hours of Barcelona
(2008–2009, 2019, 2021–present)
GT World Challenge Europe (2017–present)
Former:
FIA World RX
World RX of Catalunya (2015–2022)
DTM (2006–2009)
FIA GT (2003)
Summer Olympics (1992)
Websitecircuitcat.com
Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane (2021–present)
Length4.657 km (2.894 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:16.330 (Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, 2023, F1)
Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (2021–present)
Length4.675 km (2.905 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:18.149 (Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, 2021, F1)
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, F1)
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, F1)
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, F1)
Original Layout with Nissan Chicane (1994)
Length4.745 km (2.948 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:25.155 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton B194, 1994, F1)
Original Layout (1991–1993)
Length4.747 km (2.950 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:20.989 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193, 1993, F1)

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Catalan pronunciation: [siɾˈkujd bəɾsəˈlonə kətəˈluɲə]) is a 4.657 km (2.894 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.

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

[edit]
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 to reduce speeds through the final corner, where serious accidents could occur, and in an effort to improve overtaking.[5][6] However, it has been criticised for failing to achieve the latter aim and for causing congestion during qualifying sessions.[7] The 2022 race was, until now, the last Formula One race to use the chicane, with the original configuration restored ahead of the 2023 race.[8]

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, 5, 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.[9][10]

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,[11] 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,[12] with 2025 as the last year the Spanish Grand Prix will be held here; a new circuit in Madrid built around the IFEMA grounds would be its home from 2026 onwards.[13]

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.[14]

Racing history

[edit]

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 2016, a crash at turn four took Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg out, allowing Red Bull's Max Verstappen to win the race on his first race for the team. Doing so, Verstappen was the youngest to win a race, the youngest driver to stand on the podium, and the youngest to lead a lap of a race, in addition to being the first Dutchman to win a Formula One race.

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,[15] 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".[16]

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

[edit]
The start line
Turns 1–6
Turn 10
Pit lane entrance

The track is demanding of a car's aerodynamic qualities.[17] The wind direction at the circuit can change drastically during the day, a significant factor given the importance[18][19] of aerodynamics to modern Formula One cars. It is then difficult 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.

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.[20]

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

From the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, Formula One will use the layout used by MotoGP since 2021 removing the chicane in the last sector of the lap that Formula One had used every year since it was introduced in 2007 reverting the final corners for Formula One cars to a sweeping fast configuration that Formula One last used in 2006.[21]

A lap in a Formula One car

[edit]

A 1,047 m (1,145 yd) long pit straight leads them into turn 1 which 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)[22] 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)[22] is a long, flat-out (in most cars) right-hander that has a g-force of about four,[22] and it leads to a short straight before turn 4, the Repsol[22] 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)[22] 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.[22] The long back straight leads into turn 10 (La Caixa), a third-gear, left-hand corner, then turns 11 and 12, a left kink before a long, slow, third-gear right. Turn 13 and 14, a very fast, sixth-gear double right-hander which takes cars across the start/finish line.

Layout history

[edit]

Events

[edit]
2024
Future
Former

Lap records

[edit]

As of September 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane (2021–present): 4.657 km
F1 1:16.330 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing RB19 2023 Spanish Grand Prix
FIA F2 1:27.474 Clément Novalak Dallara F2 2018 2023 Barcelona Formula 2 round
LMP2 1:30.174 Alessio Rovera Oreca 07 2024 4 Hours of Barcelona
FIA F3 1:31.964 Pepe Martí Dallara F3 2019 2023 Barcelona Formula 3 round
Euroformula Open 1:32.278[23] Charlie Wurz Dallara 320 2023 Barcelona Euroformula Open round
Formula Regional 1:36.703[24] Esteban Masson Tatuus F3 T-318-EC3 2023 Barcelona Eurocup-3 round
LMP3 1:36.735[25] David Droux [de] Ligier JS P320 2023 Barcelona Le Mans Cup round
MotoGP 1:39.664 Pedro Acosta KTM RC16 2024 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
GT3 1:40.743[26] Riccardo Agostini Ferrari 296 GT3 2024 Barcelona Le Mans Cup round
World SBK 1:40.955[27] Nicolò Bulega Ducati Panigale V4 R 2024 Barcelona World SBK round
LM GTE 1:41.371 Alessio Picariello Porsche 911 RSR-19 2023 4 Hours of Barcelona
Formula 4 1:42.131[28] Christian Ho Tatuus F4-T421 2023 Barcelona F4 Spanish Championship round
SRO GT2 1:42.334[29] Ronnie Bremer KTM X-Bow GT2 2023 Barcelona GT Winter Series round
Moto2 1:42.688 Fermín Aldeguer Boscoscuro B-24 2024 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Lamborghini Super Trofeo 1:42.899[30] Amaury Bonduel Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 2024 Barcelona GT Winter Series round
JS P4 1:43.784[31] Jerónimo Berrío Ligier JS P4 2024 Barcelona Ligier European Series round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:44.109[32] Mathys Jaubert Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2024 Barcelona Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe round
World SSP 1:44.875[33] Yari Montella Ducati Panigale V2 2024 Barcelona World SSP round
Ferrari Challenge 1:46.657[30] John Dhillon Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo 2024 Barcelona GT Winter Series round
Moto3 1:46.748 José Antonio Rueda KTM RC250GP 2024 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
MotoE 1:48.025 Oscar Gutiérrez Ducati MotoE 2024 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
GT4 1:49.778[34] Zac Meakin McLaren Artura GT4 2024 Barcelona GT4 Winter Series round
TCR Touring Car 1:50.643[35] Kobe Pauwels Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) 2023 Barcelona TCR Europe round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup 1:51.540[36] Charles Roussanne Alpine A110 Cup 2024 Barcelona Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
JS2 R 1:52.045[31] Matteo Pianezzola Ligier JS2 R 2024 Barcelona Ligier European Series round
Supersport 300 1:54.764[37] Marc García Kove 321RR 2024 Barcelona Supersport 300 round
Renault Clio Cup 2:01.137[38] Gabriele Torelli Renault Clio R.S. V 2023 Barcelona Renault Clio Cup Europe round
Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (2021–present): 4.675 km
F1 1:18.149 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing RB16B 2021 Spanish Grand Prix
FIA F2 1:34.231 Jack Doohan Dallara F2 2018 2022 Barcelona Formula 2 round
LMP2 1:35.797[39] Roman Rusinov Aurus 01 2021 4 Hours of Barcelona
FIA F3 1:36.643 Dennis Hauger Dallara F3 2019 2021 Barcelona Formula 3 round
Euroformula Open 1:36.779[40] Jak Crawford Dallara 320 2021 Barcelona Euroformula Open round
LMP3 1:41.351[41] Scott Andrews Ligier JS P320 2021 Barcelona Le Mans Cup round
Formula Regional 1:42.518[42] Isack Hadjar Tatuus F3 T-318 2021 Barcelona FREC round
LM GTE 1:44.700[39] Gianmaria Bruni Porsche 911 RSR-19 2021 4 Hours of Barcelona
GT3 1:45.129[43] Joe Osborne McLaren 720S GT3 2022 Barcelona International GT Open round
Lamborghini Super Trofeo 1:46.679[44] Loris Spinelli Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 2022 Barcelona Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe round
Formula 4 1:47.267[45] Nikola Tsolov Tatuus F4-T421 2022 Barcelona F4 Spain round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:49.608[46] Benjamin Paque Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2023 Barcelona Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe round
GT4 1:53.563[47] Zac Meakin Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 2023 Barcelona Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe round
JS P4 1:53.945[48] Steve Zacchia Ligier JS P4 2021 Barcelona Ligier European Series round
TCR Touring Car 1:54.929[49] Mikel Azcona Cupra León Competicion TCR 2021 Barcelona TCR Spain round
JS2 R 1:56.186[48] Natan Bihel Ligier JS2 R 2021 Barcelona Ligier European Series round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup 1:57.512[50] Ugo de Wilde Alpine A110 Cup 2021 Barcelona Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
Renault Clio Cup 2:06.282[51] Alexandre Albouy Renault Clio R.S. V 2021 Barcelona Renault Clio Cup Europe round
Grand Prix Circuit (2007–2020) & Motorcycle Circuit (2016–2017): 4.655 km
F1 1:18.183 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance 2020 Spanish Grand Prix
GP2 1:29.989 Kazuki Nakajima Dallara GP2/05 2007 Catalunya GP2 Series round
FIA F2 1:30.039 Nicholas Latifi Dallara F2 2018 2018 Barcelona Formula 2 round
Formula Renault 3.5 1:32.313[52] Will Stevens Dallara T12 2013 Barcelona Formula Renault 3.5 Series round
LMP1 1:33.515[53] Stéphane Sarrazin Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 2008 1000 km of Catalunya
GP3 1:33.846 Anthoine Hubert Dallara GP3/16 2018 Barcelona GP3 Series round
LMP2 1:34.644[54] Antonin Borga [fr] Oreca 07 2019 4 Hours of Barcelona
FIA F3 1:34.711 Jehan Daruvala Dallara F3 2019 2019 Barcelona Formula 3 round
Euroformula Open 1:36.640[55] Yifei Ye Dallara 320 2020 Barcelona Euroformula Open round
F3000 1:36.824[56] Giacomo Ricci Lola B02/50 2007 Barcelona Euroseries 3000 round
Formula Regional 1:41.655[57] Pierre-Louis Chovet Tatuus F3 T-318 2020 Barcelona FREC round
LMP3 1:42.177[58] Laurents Hörr Norma M30 2019 Barcelona Le Mans Cup round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:43.555[59] Christian Lundgaard Tatuus FR2.0/13 2018 Barcelona Formula Renault Eurocup round
GT3 1:44.322[60] Louis Prette Ferrari 488 GT3 2020 Barcelona International GT Open round
GT1 (GTS) 1:45.141[53] Antonio García Aston Martin DBR9 2008 1000 km of Catalunya
LM GTE 1:45.529[54] Matteo Cairoli Porsche 911 RSR 2019 4 Hours of Barcelona
MotoGP 1:45.969 Jonas Folger Yamaha YZR-M1 2017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula 4 1:47.418[61] Thomas ten Brinke Tatuus F4-T014 2020 Barcelona F4 Spain round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:48.678[62] Ayhancan Güven Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 2018 Barcelona Porsche Carrera Cup France round
Moto2 1:49.712 Álex Márquez Kalex Moto2 2017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Ferrari Challenge 1:50.384[63] Thomas Neubauer Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo 2020 Barcelona Ferrari Challenge Europe round
Formula BMW 1.51.233[64] Esteban Gutiérrez Mygale FB02 2008 Barcelona Formula BMW Europe round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy 1:52.332[65] Mirko Bortolotti Renault Mégane Renault Sport II 2013 Barcelona Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
GT4 1:53.140[60] Rafael Villanueva Mercedes-AMG GT4 HP 2020 Barcelona International GT Open round
Moto3 1:53.861 Jorge Martín Honda NSF250RW 2017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Renault 1.6 1:54.194[66] Victor Martins Signatech FR 1.6 2017 Barcelona French F4 round
TCR Touring Car 1:54.971[67] Ashley Sutton Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR 2018 Barcelona TCR Europe round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup 1:57.051[68] Julien Neveu Alpine A110 Cup 2018 Barcelona Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
Renault Clio Cup 2:05.251[69] Nicolas Milan Renault Clio R.S. IV 2019 Barcelona Renault Clio Cup France round
National Truck Circuit (2007–2020): 3.049 km[70]
Renault Clio Cup 1:21.605[71] Jordi Palomeras Renault Clio R.S. III Cup 2008 1st Barcelona Clio Cup Spain round
Truck racing 1:30.032[70] David Vršecký [cs] Freightliner 2008 Barcelona ETRC round
National Circuit (2007–2020): 2.977 km
Formula Three 1:07.062[72] Andrea Caldarelli Dallara F308 2009 Barcelona F3 Euro Series round
DTM 1:08.048[73] Timo Scheider Audi A4 DTM 2009 2009 Barcelona DTM round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:14.580[74] Jeroen Bleekemolen Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup 2009 Barcelona Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
Formula BMW 1.15.010[75] Philipp Eng Mygale FB02 2007 Barcelona Formula BMW ADAC round
Motorcycle Circuit (2018–2020) & Grand Prix Circuit (2004–2006): 4.627 km
F1 1:15.641 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault R25 2005 Spanish Grand Prix
GP2 1:25.550 Adrián Vallés Dallara GP2/05 2006 Catalunya GP2 Series round
Formula Renault 3.5 1:29.240[76] Alx Danielsson Dallara T05 2006 Barcelona Formula Renault 3.5 Series round
Formula Nissan 1:32.475[77] Adrián Vallés Dallara SN01 2004 Barcelona World Series by Nissan round
F3000 1:34.233[78] Vitantonio Liuzzi Lola B02/50 2004 Barcelona F3000 round
Formula Three 1:38.340[79] Andy Soucek Dallara F305 2005 Barcelona Spanish F3 round
MotoGP 1:40.021 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati Desmosedici GP18 2018 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Renault 2.0 1:41.601[80] Tom Dillmann Tatuus FR2000 2006 Barcelona Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 round
World SBK 1:41.828[81] Álvaro Bautista Honda CBR1000RR-R 2020 Barcelona World SBK round
Moto2 1:43.544 Sam Lowes Kalex Moto2 2020 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP 1:45.869[82] Andrea Locatelli Yamaha YZF-R6 2020 Barcelona World SSP round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:46.187[83] David Saelens Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup 2005 Barcelona Porsche Supercup round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy 1:47.921[84] Jaap van Lagen Renault Mégane Renault Sport 2006 Barcelona Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
Moto3 1:48.702 Romano Fenati Husqvarna FR250GP 2020 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Supersport 300 1:55.959[85] Jeffrey Buis Kawasaki Ninja 400 2020 Barcelona Supersport 300 round
National Circuit (2004–2006): 2.949 km
F3000 1:01.017[86] Jérôme d'Ambrosio Lola B02/50 2006 Barcelona Euroseries 3000 round
Formula Three 1:01.876[87] Kohei Hirate Dallara F305 2006 Barcelona F3 Euro Series round
DTM 1:03.919[88] Bernd Schneider AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse 2006 2006 Barcelona DTM round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:10.603[89] Richard Westbrook Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup 2006 Barcelona Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
Motorcycle Circuit (1995–2016) & Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2003): 4.730 km
F1 1:20.143 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari F2003-GA 2003 Spanish Grand Prix
F3000 1:31.597[90] Emmanuel Clérico Reynard 95D 1995 Barcelona F3000 round
Formula Nissan 1:32.629[91] Bas Leinders Dallara SN01 2002 Barcelona World Series by Nissan round
LMP900 1:35.161[92] Franck Montagny Dallara SP1 2002 FIA Sportscar Championship Barcelona
WSC 1:35.911[93] David Terrien Ferrari 333 SP 2000 ATP Trophy
Group C 1:36.220[94] Rui Águas Mercedes-Benz C11 2018 Espíritu de Montjuïc
Formula Renault 3.5 1:38.871[95] Neel Jani Tatuus FRV6 2003 Barcelona Formula Renault V6 Eurocup round
MotoGP 1:42.182 Marc Márquez Honda RC213V 2014 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
LMP675 1:42.386[92] Piergiuseppe Peroni Lucchini SR2001 2002 FIA Sportscar Championship Barcelona
GT1 (GTS) 1:45.081[96] Christophe Bouchut Chrysler Viper GTS-R 2003 FIA GT Barcelona 500km
250cc 1:45.925 Alex de Angelis Aprilia RSV 250 2007 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto2 1:46.474 Álex Rins Kalex Moto2 2015 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
500cc 1:46.619 Valentino Rossi Honda NSR500 2001 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
N-GT 1:49.504[96] Marc Lieb Porsche 911 (996) GT3 RS 2003 FIA GT Barcelona 500km
125cc 1:50.590 Pol Espargaró Derbi RSA 125 2010 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto3 1:50.606 Efrén Vázquez Honda NSF250RW 2015 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:53.012[97] Oliver Mathai [de] Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup 1999 Barcelona Porsche Supercup round
Super 2000 1:54.863[98] Dirk Müller BMW 320i 2003 Barcelona ETCC round
Renault Clio Cup 2:00.676[99] Nicolas Milan Renault Clio R.S. IV 2018 Barcelona Renault Clio Cup Spain round
Original National Circuit: 3.069 km (1991–2003)
Formula Nissan 1:02.700[100] Rui Águas Coloni CN1 2000 Barcelona Open Telefonica by Nissan round
Original Grand Prix Circuit with Nissan Chicane: 4.745 km (1994)
F1 1:25.155 Michael Schumacher Benetton B194 1994 Spanish Grand Prix
F3000 1:34.639[101] Jean-Christophe Boullion Reynard 94D 1994 Barcelona F3000 round
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.747 km (1991–1994)
F1 1:20.989 Michael Schumacher Benetton B193 1993 Spanish Grand Prix
F3000 1:30.536[102] Emanuele Naspetti Reynard 92D 1992 Barcelona F3000 round
500cc 1:48.583 Mick Doohan Honda NSR500 1992 European motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 1:50.362 Loris Capirossi Honda NSR250 1994 European motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 1:56.514 Peter Öttl Aprilia RS125R 1994 European motorcycle Grand Prix

Financial problems

[edit]

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.[103][104][105][106]

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.[106][107][108][109]

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.[110] Recently, some more irregularities have been detected, even by the Generalitat de Catalunya.[111]

Noise pollution

[edit]

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.[112]

Fatalities

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References

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