European Grand Prix
The European Grand Prix is a special race in the Formula 1 championship
series. Early on in the history of international auto racing, the Association
Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus (AIACR), which is now known as the
FIA (La Federation Internationale de l'Automobile), granted different grands
prix the honorary title of the European Grand Prix per year.
It was initially not a separate race on its own, but a title to a grand prix
in one of the participating countries. The first grand prix to receive such an
honor was the Italian Grand Prix in 1923, followed by France a year later. This
lasted until 1930, with the last title given to Belgium, and the practice was
further discontinued with the onset of the two world wars.
When the European Grand Prix was revived in 1983, it served as an actual race,
replacing a New York race at the last minute. Held in the Brands Hatch circuit
in England and won by Nelson Piquet, the European Grand Prix appealed to many
fans, who lobbied that the event continue at the Formula 1. It did, but only for
the next two years before it got replaced with the Hungarian Grand Prix in 1986.
Revived again in 1990, the European Grand Prix would mainly serve to replace
cancelled grands prix, and was hosted by Spain, England and Germany, racing
consistently at the Nürburgring from 1999 to 2007. Actually, it was supposed to
have been removed from the schedule, but last minute the 2007 Nürburgring grand
prix was named as the European Grand Prix instead of the German GP. But no,
worries, as the European GP will be circulating the rest of the continent again,
at least for sure until 2014.
Asides from all its relocations and cancellations, the European Grand Prix is
controversial in other ways as well. It may be most famous as the grand prix
which sees the disqualification of Michael Schumacher in 1997, when he and
Jacques Villeneuve were involved in a collision while racing at the Circuito
Permanente de Jerez in Spain. The 1997 winner was Mika Häkkinen, while
Villeneuve won in 1996 and Schumacher won a year before that. But otherwise,
this leg of the F1 championship had been rather good to Schumacher, who won six
European GPs in total, five at Nürburgring, and one at Jerez. His brother Ralf
won the European GP in 2003, with other wins by Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Nigel
Mansell, Johnny Herbert and Rubens Barichello. Spain's very own Fernando Alonso
won twice at the European GP, in 2005 and 2007, both at Nürburgring.
The 2008 European Grand Prix will be held at the a circuit specially built in
Valencia, Spain. Making use of the new facelift of the marina, a lap around the
track is quite the scenic view, going around the harbour, fish markets, the
dockyard, and even crossing over the city's canals. With some drivers
complaining about certain circuits being unchallenging, the Valencia Street
Circuit has a total of 25 turns on its 5.47 km long track.
Valencia is not a very big city, which may charm most Formula 1 fans and
frustrate those who have a hard time flying in – the airport 9 km from the city
is still being upgraded to accommodate more travelers – and those having a hard
time maneuvering and parking their rental cars. Still, Valencia is cosmopolitan
enough, with a smattering of five-star to mid-range hotels, unlike most
provincial locations in the Formula 1 schedule. Do book early to get your August
European Grand Prix tickets and accommodations, as both are wont to be sold out
soon enough.
Inspired by the circuit at Monaco, the tickets are also priced in this range.
The least expensive European Grand Prix tickets starting at 150 euros. If you do
think it's worth your money, the best seats are by the harbour.
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