Spanish Grand Prix facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the auto race event. For the motorcycle race, see Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix. For other uses, see Spanish Grand Prix (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Spanish Grand Prix
Race information
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (2023)

Number of times held	64
First held	1913
Most wins (drivers)	Michael Schumacher (6) Lewis Hamilton (6)
Most wins (constructors)	Ferrari (12)
Circuit length	4.657 km (2.894 mi)
Race length	307.362 km (190.908 mi)
Laps	66
Last race (2023)
Pole position
Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT 1:12.272
Podium
1. M. Verstappen Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT 1:27:57.940 2. L. Hamilton Mercedes +24.090 3. G. Russell Mercedes +32.389
Fastest lap
Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT 1:16.330

The Spanish Grand Prix (which means Gran Premio de España in Spanish) is a famous Formula One car race. It takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. This race is one of the oldest car races still happening today. It celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013!

The race started small, with regular cars competing. After a break during the First World War, it became a regular event in Europe. In 1927, it was part of a big championship for car makers. It became even more important in 1935. But then, the Spanish Civil War stopped all racing. The race came back in 1967. Since 1968, it has been a regular part of the Formula One World Championship. It has been held at many different race tracks over the years.

The Spanish Grand Prix will stay at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya until 2026. After that, from 2026 until at least 2035, the race will move to a new track near Madrid.

History of the Spanish Grand Prix
- How the Race Started
  - Racing at Lasarte
- Formula One Era Begins
Spanish Grand Prix Winners
Images for kids
See also

History of the Spanish Grand Prix

How the Race Started

The first race called a Spanish Grand Prix happened in 1913. It was a race for touring cars, not the special Grand Prix cars we know today. The race was held on a 300-kilometer road track near Madrid. It was called the RACE Grand Prix and was won by Carlos de Salamanca. He drove a Rolls-Royce car.

Before 1913, other car races took place in Spain. The Catalan Cup was a popular event from 1908 to 1910. These races helped Spain become a strong place for motor racing. This love for racing led to building a special track called Sitges-Terramar. It was a 2-kilometer oval track. The first official Spanish Grand Prix was held there in 1923. Albert Divo won that race in a Sunbeam car.

Racing at Lasarte

After the first race at Sitges-Terramar, the track had money problems. So, the Spanish Grand Prix moved to the Circuito Lasarte in 1926. This track was 17.749 kilometers long and was near Bilbao. The 1927 Spanish Grand Prix was part of the World Manufacturers' Championship. But the race was still not very stable. In 1928 and 1929, it was a race for sports cars.

The 1930 race was cancelled because of money problems after the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The races in 1931 and 1932 were also cancelled. Finally, in 1933, the Spanish Grand Prix returned at Lasarte with government help. After the 1935 race, the Spanish Civil War began, and racing stopped. In 1946, racing came back to Spain with the Penya Rhin Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Formula One Era Begins

Pedralbes Circuit

Spain rejoined the international racing calendar in 1951. The race was held at the wide Pedralbes Circuit in Barcelona. Juan Manuel Fangio won his first world championship there in 1951. The race was planned for 1952 and 1953 but didn't happen due to money issues. In 1954, Mike Hawthorn won in a Ferrari.

The 1955 Spanish Grand Prix was cancelled. This happened after a terrible accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. New rules were made to keep spectators safe. Many races, including the Spanish Grand Prix, were cancelled. The Pedralbes track was never used for motor racing again.

Jarama and Montjuïc Circuits

In the 1960s, Spain wanted to bring back international motor racing. A new track was built north of Madrid called Jarama. The Montjuïc street circuit in Barcelona was also improved for safety. A non-championship race took place at Jarama in 1967. Jim Clark won it in a Lotus F1 car.

In 1968, Jarama hosted the Spanish Grand Prix. It was decided that the race would switch between Jarama and Montjuïc each year. Jarama was a tight and twisty track. Montjuïc was fast and wide. Jackie Stewart won the first Formula One race at Montjuïc in 1969.

The 1975 race at Montjuïc was very sad. Drivers were worried about safety because the barriers were not properly set up. There were protests, and some drivers refused to race. On lap 26, Rolf Stommelen's car crashed, and four spectators died. The race was stopped, and Jochen Mass won. Only half points were given because the race didn't finish.

Return to Jarama

After the accident at Montjuïc, the Spanish Grand Prix stayed at Jarama. In 1976, James Hunt won, but he was disqualified because his car was too wide. McLaren appealed, and his win was given back. Mario Andretti won in 1977 and 1978.

The 1980 race was unusual. The president of FISA (a racing organization) said it wouldn't count as a championship race. So, big factory teams like Ferrari didn't show up. Only independent teams raced. Alan Jones won. In 1981, Gilles Villeneuve won in his Ferrari, even though his car was hard to handle. This is seen as one of the best drives ever. The Spanish Grand Prix left Jarama after 1981 because of the narrow track, hot weather, and small crowds.

Jerez Circuit Era

There were plans to hold the race in Fuengirola in 1984 and 1985, but it didn't happen. In 1985, the mayor of Jerez built a new race track to attract tourists. The Circuito Permanente de Jerez was ready for the 1986 championship. This race saw a very close finish between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell. Senna won by just 0.014 seconds!

Mansell won in 1987. Senna won again in 1989. The 1990 event was the last Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. During practice, Martin Donnelly had a terrible crash and was badly hurt. He never raced in Formula One again. Jerez was also far away, so not many people came to watch.

Catalunya Circuit: The Modern Home

A new track was being built near Barcelona, called the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. In 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix moved there, and it has been held there ever since. The 1992 race was even called the Grand Prix of the Olympic Games. Since then, the race has usually been in late April or early May.

The Williams team won many early races at Catalunya. Michael Schumacher has won the Spanish Grand Prix six times. This includes his first win for Ferrari in 1996, which happened in heavy rain. Mika Häkkinen won three times.

Since 2003, many fans have come to the race because of Spanish driver Fernando Alonso. Alonso finished second in 2003 and 2005. He then won from pole position in 2006. He also finished third in 2007 and second in 2010 and 2012. In 2012, Pastor Maldonado won from pole position. This was the first win for a Venezuelan driver and the first win for Williams since 2004.

Only two Spanish drivers have won the Spanish Grand Prix: Carlos de Salamanca in 1913 and Fernando Alonso in 2006 and 2013. Juan Manuel Fangio from Argentina and Pastor Maldonado from Venezuela also won.

From 2013, the Spanish Grand Prix was supposed to switch between Catalunya and the Valencia Street Circuit every year. But Valencia had money problems, so Catalunya remained the only host.

The track layout at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya changed in 2023. It now uses the same layout as MotoGP races.

Future in Madrid

Spain's capital city, Madrid, is set to host Formula 1 races in the future. The first race there is planned for 2026. The new street circuit will be built around the IFEMA Palacio Municipal in Madrid.

Spanish Grand Prix Winners

Drivers with Multiple Wins

Drivers in bold are racing in Formula One this season. A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.

Wins	Driver	Years Won
6	Michael Schumacher	1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
6	Lewis Hamilton	2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
3	Jackie Stewart	1969, 1970, 1971
	Nigel Mansell	1987, 1991, 1992
	Alain Prost	1988, 1990, 1993
	Mika Häkkinen	1998, 1999, 2000
	Max Verstappen	2016, 2022, 2023
2	Louis Chiron	1928, 1933
	Emerson Fittipaldi	1972, 1973
	Mario Andretti	1977, 1978
	Ayrton Senna	1986, 1989
	Kimi Räikkönen	2005, 2008
	Fernando Alonso	2006, 2013
Sources:

Teams with Multiple Wins

Teams in bold are racing in Formula One this season. A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship. A yellow background means the race was part of the pre-war European Championship.

Wins	Constructor	Years Won
12	Ferrari	1954, 1974, 1981, 1990, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013
9	Mercedes	1934, 1935, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
8	McLaren	1975, 1976, 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005
8	Williams	1980, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2012
7	Lotus	1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1986
5	Red Bull	2010, 2011, 2016, 2022, 2023
3	Alfa Romeo	1929, 1933, 1951
2	Bugatti	1926, 1928
Sources:

Engine Manufacturers with Multiple Wins

Manufacturers in bold are racing in Formula One this season. A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship. A yellow background means the race was part of the pre-war European Championship.

Wins	Manufacturer	Years Won
14	Mercedes **	1934, 1935, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
13	Ford *	1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
12	Ferrari	1954, 1974, 1981, 1990, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013
11	Renault	1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012
3	Alfa Romeo	1929, 1933, 1951
3	Honda	1987, 1988, 1989
2	Bugatti	1926, 1928
Sources: