Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Grand Prix Circuit without Chicane (2021–present) Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (2021–present)
Location	Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Time zone	CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST)
Coordinates	41°34′12″N 2°15′40″E / 41.57000°N 2.26111°E / 41.57000; 2.26111
Capacity	140,700
FIA Grade	1 (2 layouts) 2 (2 layouts) 6R (Rallycross)
Broke ground	24 February 1989; 36 years ago (1989-02-24)
Opened	10 September 1991; 33 years ago (1991-09-10)
Former names	Circuit de Catalunya (1991–2013)
Major events	Current: Formula One Spanish Grand Prix (1991–2025) Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (2026) Grand Prix motorcycle racing European motorcycle Grand Prix (1992–1995) Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix (1996–present) Solidarity motorcycle Grand Prix (2024) ELMS 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) Former: FIA World RX World RX of Catalunya (2015–2022) World SBK (2020–2024) DTM (2006–2009) FIA GT (2003) Summer Olympics (1992)
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)

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a famous race track in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is about 4.657 kilometers (2.894 miles) long. This track is known for its long straight sections and many different types of corners. Because of this, it's a great place to test how well a race car performs overall.

The circuit can hold up to 140,700 fans in its stands. It has the highest rating from the FIA (motorsport's governing body), called Grade 1. This means it's safe and suitable for the fastest races, like Formula One. Before 2013, it was simply called the Circuit de Catalunya. The name changed after a sponsorship deal with the Barcelona City Council.

A Brief History of the Circuit

A satellite view of the circuit in 2018

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was built in 1991. It started hosting the Spanish Grand Prix for Formula One cars in the same year. The track was also used for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. It served as the start and finish line for a cycling event. It's important not to confuse this circuit with the Montjuïc circuit, which was an older track actually inside the city of Barcelona.

Many Formula One teams use this circuit for testing their cars. This means drivers and mechanics know the track very well. Some people have said this makes the races less exciting because everyone knows the best way around.

Over the years, the track layout has changed a few times to improve safety and racing. For example, a slow chicane (a tight set of turns) was added in 2007 to slow cars down in the final corner. This was to prevent serious accidents and try to make overtaking easier. However, this chicane was removed for the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, bringing back the original fast final corners.

Motorcycle races have also been held here since 1992. The circuit hosts the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix every year. In 2016, a sad accident involving a Moto2 rider named Luis Salom led to changes. The Formula One layout, which was slower in some parts, was used to make the track safer for motorcycles. The track was also completely resurfaced in 2018 to give bikes better grip.

The circuit has hosted many other international races. These include the European Le Mans Series, 24H Series, and GT World Challenge Europe. It also hosts the 24h BiCircuit Festival, a long-distance cycling event.

The Spanish Grand Prix will continue at this circuit until 2025. After that, a new circuit in Madrid will host the race from 2026. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is also known for being environmentally friendly. It has a 3-star FIA Environmental Accreditation and is one of the most sustainable racetracks in the world.

Exciting Moments in Racing History

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has seen many unforgettable moments in racing:

• In 1991, two legendary drivers, Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, raced side-by-side down the main straight. Mansell eventually won that race.
• In 1994, Michael Schumacher finished second even though his car was stuck in fifth gear for more than half the race!
• Schumacher also got his first win for Scuderia Ferrari here in 1996 during a huge rainstorm.
• In 2001, Mika Häkkinen was leading on the very last lap when his car had a problem, giving the win to Schumacher.
• Fernando Alonso became the first Spanish Formula One driver to win at his home track in 2006.
• In 2016, Max Verstappen won his first-ever Formula One race here. He became the youngest driver to win an F1 Grand Prix, stand on the podium, and lead a lap.
• In 2009, motorcycle legends Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo had an amazing battle. Rossi made a daring overtake on the final corner to win.

Understanding the Track Layout

The start line

Turns 1–6

Turn 10

Pit lane entrance

This track is very challenging for a car's aerodynamics (how it moves through the air). The wind direction can change a lot during the day. This makes it hard for teams to set up their cars perfectly. A car might handle well in the morning but struggle in the afternoon because of the wind.

The layout for MotoGP (motorcycle racing) has changed over time to improve safety. After the accident in 2016, the F1 layout was used for motorcycles. Later, the track was modified again to create more runoff areas (safe zones) and remove a chicane that was causing problems. For 2021, a corner called La Caixa was redesigned to make it even safer.

Since the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, Formula One cars have been using a layout without the chicane in the final section. This brings back the fast, sweeping corners that were used before 2007.

A Lap in a Formula One Car

Imagine you're in a Formula One car:

• You start on a long straight, over 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) long. This is where cars use DRS to go even faster.
• You brake hard for Turn 1 (Elf), which is a great spot for overtaking.
• Turn 2 is almost full throttle as you try to speed up.
• Turn 3 (Renault) is a long, fast right-hand corner where you feel about four times the force of gravity.
• After a short straight, you reach Turn 4 (Repsol), another right-hander. You brake early and carry a lot of speed out of this corner.
• Turn 5 (Seat) is a slow left turn that goes downhill.
• Turn 6 is a left kink that F1 cars usually ignore.
• Turns 7 and 8 are a medium-speed, uphill chicane. You need to be careful not to hit the kerbs (raised edges) here.
• Turn 9 (Campsa Corner) is a very fast, blind right-hand corner. Drivers can't see the exit until they are already in the turn.
• A long back straight leads to Turn 10 (La Caixa), a left-hand corner.
• Then come Turns 11 and 12, a left kink followed by a long, slow right turn.
• Finally, Turns 13 and 14 are very fast, double right-handers that take you across the start/finish line.

Track Layout Changes Over Time

Events Held at the Circuit

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts many exciting races throughout the year.

Current Events

• Formula One Spanish Grand Prix (until 2025)
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix
• European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Barcelona
• 24H Series 24 Hours of Barcelona
• GT World Challenge Europe
• TCR Europe Touring Car Series

Future Events

• Formula One Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (from 2026)

Past Events

• FIA World Rallycross Championship World RX of Catalunya (2015–2022)
• World SBK (2020–2024)
• DTM (2006–2009)
• FIA GT Championship (2003)
• Summer Olympics (1992)
• GP2 Series Catalunya GP2 round (2005–2016)
• GP3 Series (2010–2018)

Fastest Laps Around the Track

Here are some of the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as of July 2025:

Safety at the Circuit

Sadly, in 2016, a Moto2 rider named Luis Salom had a serious accident during practice for the 2016 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix. He passed away from his injuries. This led to important changes in the track layout to make it safer for motorcycle races, especially in certain corners. Safety is always a top priority at race tracks.

See also

In Spanish: Circuito de Barcelona-Cataluña para niños