Circuit info
Valencia Street Circuit
Interesting facts
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the 5.419 km, 25-corner Valencia Street Circuit ran along the city's harbour and the America's Cup port area, opening on 26 July 2008. Its signature feature was a 140-metre swing bridge that could open for boat traffic, crossed by cars through Turns 8-10 at barely 89 km/h. The European Grand Prix was held here for five seasons, from 2008 to 2012; Felipe Massa won the first race from pole, and Fernando Alonso won the last one in 2012. At the 2010 race, Mark Webber hit the back of Heikki Kovalainen's car while trying to pass at around 300 km/h down the main straight; his Red Bull flew into the air, clipped an advertising hoarding and somersaulted before landing nose-first and slamming into a tyre barrier. Webber walked away unhurt. The circuit became notorious for how hard it was to overtake on: at the 2011 race, only 27 passes were made all race, 22 of them only possible thanks to the newly introduced DRS. After Formula 1 left, the circuit wasn't demolished, just abandoned in place: its overgrown tarmac and empty grandstands have since become a favourite subject for urban explorers and photographers drawn to abandoned places. You'll find it in Valencia, Spain. On the calendar since 2008, this circuit has hosted 5 races, the latest in 2012. Felipe Massa took the inaugural win here in 2008. Fernando Alonso won here most recently, in 2012. The most successful driver at this circuit is Sebastian Vettel, with 2 wins. Ferrari is the dominant constructor at this circuit, with 2 wins. Timo Glock set the fastest lap here, 1:38.683 (Toyota, 2009).