Formula One News

Location: Catalunya Race Date: 22nd May 2011 Circuit Length: 4.655 km Number of Laps: 66 Race Distance: 307.104 km 2011 Pole Sitter: M.Webber 2011 Race Winner:  S.Vettel Grands Prix Held: 21 Circuit Website: Circuit de Catalunya Website Circuit Diagram Produced By: Adrian Dean

Brief History

The Spanish F1 Grand Prix has been held at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, every year since 1991. Situated in Montmelo, to the north of Barcelona, the track’s layout of long straights and variety of low and high speed corners makes it a good all-round circuit. This is ideal for the extensive testing, which the teams conduct there pre-season.

On the 29th September 1991, the 35th Spanish Grand Prix took place, sixteen years after it was held in Catalunya for the first time. Nigel Mansell in a Willaims-Renault won the 1991 Spanish grand Prix followed in second place by Alain Prost in a Ferrari.

Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya’s abrasive and bumpy track surface, makes for a physically and mechanically taxing race, with tyre wear being particularly high. Plus, the varying winds, which cut across the circuit make it extremely difficult to find an optimum set-up. Also, the final two turns known as New Holland, provide drivers with one of the biggest challenges of the season, as a fast exit is essential in order to maximise speed down the start-finish straight.