Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

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Updated On :26 Feb, 2021

Full Name
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Type
Outdoor

Location
Montmeló, Catalonia, Spain

Circuit Type
Race

Length
Car Configuration: 4.655 km; Motorcycle Configuration: 4.652 km

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a racing circuit (built in 1991) in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The circuit has a capacity of 140,700 spectators. For its facilities and infrastructure, it was awarded FIA Grade 1 license. The Barcelona City Council signed a sponsorship deal in 2013 with the stadium authority after which the course was named as Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It has been hosting the Catalan Motorcycle Grand Prix since 1996 and the FIA World Rallycross Championship since 2015.

Trivia

In 2008, Heikki Kovalainen (a Finnish racing driver) had an accident in the circuit due to wheel rim failure with a high speed of 240 km/h and suffered a minor injury.

Significance

It hosted the Spanish Grand Prix in its opening year in 1991.
The construction of the circuit coincided with the Olympic Games which were supposed to be held in Barcelona. The next year, it was chosen as the starting and finishing point for the road team time trial cycling event of Summer Olympics 1992.
It also hosted the European Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1992.
In 1994, Michael Schumacher finished the race in the second place despite driving only in the fifth gear throughout the contest.
In 1996 Spanish Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher first won as a Ferrari driver in the circuit.
It hosted the European Touring Car Championship and FIA GT Championship in 2003.
The circuit hosted the FIA Sportscar Championship from 1999 to 2002.
In 2006, Fernando Alonso became the first Spanish F-1 driver to win a race at the track.
In 2009 Motorcycle Grand Prix, a tough fight was seen between teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Loren.