Spanish Grand Prix

The Spanish Grand Prix takes place in May at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló which is 20km north-east of Barcelona. This has been home to the race since 1991 and the track has become an important winter testing venue for the Formula One teams. Before establishing a permanent home in Catalonia the Spanish Grand Prix had previously been held at numerous other tracks around the country including nearby Montjuic, Jarama near Madrid and the track at Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain which remains an important winter testing circuit. It is likely that from 2014 Barcelona and Valencia will alternate the hosting of the race.

Spanish F1 Grand Prix Tickets

The Circuit de Catalunya has 14 grandstands but only three of them are covered. These tickets tend to sell out first. In terms of the race, spectators like to be seated near the Elf corner as this is one of the few parts of the track where drivers might be able to overtake their rivals. You can order Spanish Grand Prix tickets for the Sunday of the race but the price of a three day pass is more or less the same price. So if you’re there for the weekend you should buy the weekend pass which gives you access to the Circuit de Catalunya for all the qualifiers as well as access to the pits on the Thursday before the race.

The cheapest tickets are in a section called the ‘Pelouse’ which is an open area with grass banks where you can move around freely before and during the race. Large screens placed strategically around the circuit allow you to follow the race. There is no designated seating in this area. The most expensive seats are in stand D which is in front of the pits offering great views of wheel changes and fast refuelling as well as the starting grid, the finish and the podium ceremony. It also offers an excellent view of the last turn coming into the main straight which is one of the fastest and most difficult on the circuit. Grandstands E and F are the next priciest as they are at the end of the main straight where cars go into the Elf turn and most overtaking takes place.

Prices vary significantly in the different viewing areas of the circuit so please check Spain Formula One ticket information here.

Circuit de Catalunya

The Circuit de Catalunya is a challenging track which is well known to the Formula One teams due to their winter testing sessions here. It is made up of long straights and demanding corners with overtaking very difficult. Teams have a hard time setting up their cars here due to shifting wind direction which upsets the car’s aerodynamics. The circuit has a capacity of 140,000 many of who come to support Fernando Alonso who won the race in 2006. Look out for the blue flags with a yellow cross which are waved by fans from his native Asturias in northern Spain. For a map of the circuit and instructions on how to get there by public transport please refer to Circuit de Catalunya.

Formula One Grand Grix Calendar 2013

Previous Winners of the Spanish Grand Prix

Although British driver Nigel Mansell won the first two races at the circuit it’s Michael Schumacher who holds the record for most wins with six victories there. Finnish drivers Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen have won the race five times between them.

2013 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
2012 Pastor Maldonado Williams
2011 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2010 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
2009 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes
2008 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari
2007 Felipe Massa Ferrari
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2005 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari

More Pages You Might Like:

Valencia Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya Catalunya MotoGP Valencia MotoGP