Valencia Street Circuit: why Spain’s second Formula 1 venue faded after just five grands prix
Built to capitalise on Formula 1’s growing popularity in Spain, Valencia’s waterfront circuit promised a glamorous future before financial reality, political change and an uninspiring layout brought its brief grand prix life to an abrupt end
The Ferrari of Felipe Massa leads from pole at the inaugural F1 race in Valencia in 2008 – the European GP
This street circuit, on the waterfront in Valencia, seemed to have a bright future. Motorcycle racing is, of course, the big draw in Spain, the country having produced a number of great MotoGP teams and riders, but Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, along with Netflix, have given Formula 1 a significantly higher profile.
Two Formula 1 world championships for Alonso (2005-06) had put the sport more firmly in front of the Spanish media by the time the track opened in 2008, with Bernie Ecclestone negotiating another grand prix in the country. The prospect of top-line international car racing in the city found favour with local politicians and a deal was done to bring the teams to Valencia. The existing Spanish round of F1 at Catalunya meant that this extra race would be the European Grand Prix.
The optimism, however, was short-lived. There had been disappointment and criticism from drivers over the lack of overtaking and what many thought was a bland and unimaginative layout. The introduction of DRS and Pirelli tyres in 2011 went some way to improving this.
The track, which used roads alongside the harbour and America’s Cup port, enabled sponsors and teams to park their yachts in the harbour a short boat ride from the paddock. Monte Carlo it would never be, but its location was always popular with F1 visitors.
More than a decade after Formula 1 left town, Valencia’s £270m harbour circuit is now a forgotten maze of kerbs, barriers and abandoned buildings
By
Katy Fairman
The circuit included sections designed by noted German architect Hermann Tilke, who also created the new buildings and infrastructure needed and demanded by Formula 1. The track was 3.4 miles long with 25 corners. Drivers were challenged by a mixture of fast, slightly kinked straights, a series of sweeping curves and tight hairpins that demanded heavy braking followed by good traction.
Valencia hosted F1 from 2008-12 but the glory days ended abruptly after a deal for the Spanish Grand Prix to be alternated between Valencia and Barcelona fell through. Finance to support the circuit was no longer forthcoming and the regional government was not prepared to get involved in saving the circuit. It was abandoned and is now a wasteland of demolished buildings, rotting infrastructure, protruding weeds and drifting rubbish – an eyesore still waiting to be redeveloped on what is a piece of extremely valuable land adjacent to the harbour and marina.
Fittingly, the last ever race at Valencia, the 2012 European Grand Prix, was won by Fernando Alonso, one of three victories on his way to finishing runner-up in the F1 World Championship in his Ferrari F2012. Ironically Alonso was also on the podium in Barcelona that year but all the renewed enthusiasm for F1 in Spain was not enough to save the circuit in Valencia.
Valencia Street Circuit In Use 2008-12 Fastest Race Lap 1 min 38.683sec, Timo Glock, Toyota TF109, 2009 European Grand Prix Fastest Qualifying Lap 1 min 36.975sec, Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB7, 2011 European Grand Prix
