Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Motorsport race track in Spain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Catalan pronunciation: [siɾˈkujd də 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. [2]
2 (2 layouts)
6R (Rallycross)
Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane (2021–present) | |
 Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (2021–present) | |
| Location | Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°34′12″N 2°15′40″E |
| Capacity | 140,700 |
| FIA Grade | 1 (2 layouts) 2 (2 layouts) 6R (Rallycross) |
| Broke ground | 24 February 1989 |
| Opened | 10 September 1991 |
| Former names | Circuit de Catalunya (1991–2013) |
| Major events | Current: Formula One Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (2026) Spanish Grand Prix (1991–2025) Grand Prix motorcycle racing Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix (1996–present) Solidarity motorcycle Grand Prix (2024) European motorcycle Grand Prix (1992–1995) FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Barcelona (2026) European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Barcelona (2008–2009, 2019, 2021–present) 24H Series 24 Hours of Barcelona (1998–2009, 2011–2019, 2021–present) GT World Challenge Europe (2017–present) TCR Europe (2018–2023, 2025–present) Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali (2026) Former: FIA World RX World RX of Catalunya (2015–2022) World SBK (2020–2024) DTM (2006–2009) FIA GT (2003) Summer Olympics (1992) Summer Paralympics (1992) |
| Website | circuitcat |
| Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane (2021–present) | |
| Length | 4.657 km (2.894 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.743 ( Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL39, 2025, F1) |
| Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (2021–present) | |
| Length | 4.675 km (2.905 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:18.149 ( Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, 2021, F1) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2007–2020) & Motorcycle Circuit (2016–2017) | |
| Length | 4.655 km (2.892 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:18.183 ( Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W11, 2020, F1) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (2018–2020) & Grand Prix Circuit (2004–2006) | |
| Length | 4.627 km (2.875 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.641 ( Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault R25, 2005, F1) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (1995–2016) & Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2003) | |
| Length | 4.730 km (2.939 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.143 ( Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari F2003-GA, 2003, F1) |
| Original Layout with Nissan Chicane (1994) | |
| Length | 4.745 km (2.948 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:25.155 ( Michael Schumacher, Benetton B194, 1994, F1) |
| Original Layout (1991–1993) | |
| Length | 4.747 km (2.950 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.989 ( Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193, 1993, F1) |
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.[3]
History
.jpg)
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was built in 1991 and began hosting the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix that same year. Construction also coincided with the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games scheduled to take place in Barcelona[4] the next year, where the circuit acted as the start and finish line for the road team time trial cycling event and road team time trial para-cycling event.[5] 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.
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. It hosted two rounds in 2024, with the season-ending one-off Solidarity motorcycle Grand Prix replacing Valencia because of flooding in the Valencia area.
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 (2017–present), 24h de Barcelona Trofeu Fermí Vélez, and FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX of Catalunya; 2015–2022). For the latter, the layout included parts of the permanent track near turns 11–15, with two additional gravel sections.
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.[6][7]
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. 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,[8] 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,[9] with 2025 as the last year the Spanish Grand Prix will be held here. For the 2026 season, the Spanish Grand Prix moved to a new circuit in Madrid around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre in Campo de las Naciones.[10] As a result, the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix was held instead.[11] Barcelona-Catalunya signed a multi-year extension to keep Formula One race in 2028, 2030, and 2032, rotating with the Belgian Grand Prix.[12]
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.
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.[13]
Racing history
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.[4] 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.[4] 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,[14] 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".[15]
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.
On 17 May 2026, during the 2026 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, Álex Márquez crashed at the back of Pedro Acosta's KTM in turn 9, causing his bike to flip over and disintegrate into pieces. The race was red-flagged because of the debris caused by the accident, as one of the tyres from the bike crashed into Fabio Di Giannantonio's bike. After a first re-start, Francesco Bagnaia, Luca Marini and Johann Zarco crashed in turn 1, with Zarco's left leg stuck in Bagnaia's Desmosedici GP26.[16]
Layout
.jpg)
.jpg)
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.
In Formula 1, Turn 1 is arguably the most popular place for overtaking. 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 in the 2000s and 2010s, 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.[4]
In motorcycling, riders are known to overtake in at least five points on the track (turns 1–2, 4, 5, 10 and 14).
Layout changes
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.[20][21] However, it has been criticised for failing to achieve the latter aim and for causing congestion during qualifying sessions.[22]
From the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, Formula One stopped using the 2007 chicane, therefore reverting the final corners for Formula One cars to a sweeping fast configuration.[23]
Through 2015, MotoGP used the layout used the 1995–2003 version of the Grand Prix circuit. This was originally the same layout as Formula One. For 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. At the 2016 edition, Moto2 rider Luis Salom, had a fatal crash in turn 12. Race control immediately switched to the Formula One layout for qualifying and race.
On 15 December 2016, the FIM announced that a new chicane was to be built ahead of the car chicane, to prevent riders from cutting the pit lane entrance. 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.
In December 2017. grandstands were removed in turn 12 to create additional runoff that allowed the FIM to eliminate that chicane (although the Turn 10 hairpin was kept). Also, the new La Caixa hairpin was used instead of the long sweeper, 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.[24]
A lap in a Formula One car
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)[25] 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)[25] is a long, flat-out (in most cars) right-hander that has a g-force of about four,[25] and it leads to a short straight before turn 4, the Repsol[25] 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)[25] 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.[25] 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.
Current layouts
Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane (2021–present)
Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (2021–present)
Rallycross Circuit (2015–present)
Previous layouts
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1991–1994)
Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2003) & Motorcycle Circuit (1995–2016)
Grand Prix Circuit (2004–2006) & Motorcycle Circuit (2018–2020)
Grand Prix Circuit (2007–2020) & Motorcycle Circuit (2016–2017)
Events
- Current
- 27–28 February: Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe
- 12–15 March: Formula Winter Series, GT Winter Series, GT4 Winter Series, Prototype Winter Series
- 27–29 March: Classic Endurance Racing Espíritu de Montjuïc
- 10–12 April: European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Barcelona, Le Mans Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup France, Ligier European Series
- 15–17 May: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
- 23–24 May: FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship, FIM Moto2 European Championship, Moto4 European Cup
- 12–14 June: Formula One Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, FIA Formula 2 Championship Barcelona Formula 2 round, FIA Formula 3 Championship, Porsche Supercup
- 11–12 July: Barcelona motorcycle 24 Hours
- 18–20 September: 24H Series 24 Hours of Barcelona, Radical Cup Europe, TCR Europe Cup, Radical World Finals
- 2–4 October: GT World Challenge Europe Festival de la Velocidad de Barcelona, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, GT3 Revival Series, McLaren Trophy Europe
- 16–18 October: FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Barcelona
- 23–25 October: International GT Open, Euroformula Open Championship, GT Cup Open Europe, TCR Europe Touring Car Series
- 5–8 November: GB3 Championship, Eurocup-3, F4 Spanish Championship, TCR Spain Touring Car Championship
- 17–23 November: Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali, Ferrari Challenge Europe, Ferrari Challenge North America
- Future
- GT4 European Series (2021–2023, 2025, 2027)
- Italian F4 Championship (2024–2025, 2027)
- Prototype Cup Europe (2027)
- Former
- Alpine Elf Cup Series (2018–2019, 2021–2024)
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2006–2009)
- Euro 4 Championship (2023)
- EuroBOSS Series (2007)
- Eurocup Clio (2011–2013)
- Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2006–2013)
- European Le Mans Series
- 1000 km of Catalunya (2008–2009)
- European Touring Car Championship (2003)
- European Truck Racing Championship (1996–1999, 2002, 2004–2009)
- Euroseries 3000 (2006–2008)
- F1 Academy (2023–2024)
- FFSA GT Championship (2017–2018)
- FIA European Rallycross Championship (2015–2022)
- FIA GT Championship
- Barcelona 500km (2003)
- FIA Sportscar Championship (1999–2002)
- FIA World Rallycross Championship
- World RX of Catalunya (2015–2022)
- Formula 3 Euro Series (2006–2009)
- Formula Abarth (2011)
- Formula BMW ADAC (2007)
- Formula BMW Europe (2008–2010)
- Formula One
- Spanish Grand Prix (1991–2025)
- Formula Regional European Championship (2019–2025)
- Formula Renault 2.0 Alps (2012)
- Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup (1997, 2007–2009)
- Formula Renault Eurocup (1993–1997, 2006–2013, 2017–2020)
- Formula Renault V6 Eurocup (2003)
- French F4 Championship (2010, 2016–2017)
- GP2 Series
- Catalunya GP2 round (2005–2016)
- GP3 Series (2010–2018)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- European motorcycle Grand Prix (1992–1995)
- Solidarity motorcycle Grand Prix (2024)
- GT2 European Series (2015–2019, 2021, 2024–2025)
- International Formula 3000 (1992, 1994–1995, 1998–2004)
- MotoE World Championship
- Catalan eRace (2021, 2023–2025)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux (2017, 2019, 2022)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (2006–2009)
- Renault Clio Cup Europe (2021–2024)
- SEAT León Eurocup (2014–2016)
- Sidecar World Championship (1994–1996)
- Spanish Superbike Championship (2019–2024)
- Superbike World Championship (2020–2024)
- Supersport 300 World Championship (2020–2024)
- Supersport World Championship (2020–2024)
- Trofeo Maserati (2003, 2005)
- V de V Challenge Monoplace (2012–2018)
- World Series Formula V8 3.5 (1998–2004, 2006–2013, 2016)
- W Series (2022)
Lap records
As of May 2026, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya are listed as:
Financial problems
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.[110][111][112][113]
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.[113][114][115][116]
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.[117] Recently, some more irregularities have been detected, even by the Generalitat de Catalunya.[118]
Noise pollution
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.[119]
