Circuit de Barcelona-CatalunyaThe Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a motorsport race track in Montmeló, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, it is seen as an all-rounder circuit.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (as it became known in September 2013) is one of Europe's busiest tracks, playing host to high profile rounds of Formula One, MotoGP and becoming the seasonal winter home of the F1 teams as they test their new cars and drivers.
Plans for the circuit were first suggested in the mid-80s, with the Catalan government keen to prise the grand prix away from Jerez and return racing to Barcelona for the first time since the 1970s, when the fabled Monjuich Park course was last used. A plot of land north of Barcelona, near to the town of Montmeló, was secured and the foundation stone was laid in February 1989.
The circuit features a mix of fast and slow corners, a long straight and a variety of elevation changes. As a result, it is a popular testing venue, aided by the usual pleasant winter weather. Spectator facilities, which have always been good, were boosted further in 2002 with the opening of a new main grandstand, designed by Herman Tilke and with a capacity of 9,580. Opposite, a gigantic electronic scoring board now also dominates the end of the pitlane.
Over the years a number of circuit revisions have been made.
During January 2017, the track underwent some modifications to create a more suitable chicane for the motorcycles at the behest of the FIM. The revised course also continues to use the Formula 1 layout at the CaixaBank turn, leaving the original corner layout largely redundant, as is the original Europcar turn, which is now bypassed by all racing categories in favour of the earlier turn for the chicanes.
The 24 Horas de Barcelona de Automovilismo - Trofeo Fermí Vélez have establioshed itself as the endurance race on the Iberian peninsula since its first running in 1998 and has seen many national and international stars taking part in the race, spearheaded by F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who was running a Hyundai Accent during the first edition of the event.
Since 2011, the race is co-organized by CREVENTIC and part of the 24H SERIES portfolio, adding the international charme and roar of GT3 machinery to the event.
