F1 in Barcelona: Circuit de Catalunya's explosive opening and evolution
F1
Built in 1991 as part of a major regional initiative, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya been home of the Spanish GP ever since, witnessing legendary moments in both F1 history
The start of the first F1 race at Barcelona in 1991
From its inception in 1991, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been the sole home of the Spanish Grand Prix, something that is changing after this weekend with the arrival of a new Madrid street circuit from 2026.
The Catalan track, located in Montmeló just north of Barcelona, was constructed as part of the city’s preparations for the 1992 Olympic Games.
The construction was a strategic move by the Catalan government, aiming to bring the Spanish Grand Prix back to Barcelona after years at other venues and to showcase the region’s modern infrastructure during the Olympics.
The circuit also played a role in the Olympics itself, serving as the start and finish line for the cycling road team time trial event in 1992.
The foundation stone was laid in February 1989, and construction continued through 1990 and into 1991.
Circuit de Catalunya, as it was in 1991
The venue was completed in time for its first event, a round of the Spanish Touring Car Championship, on September 10, 1991.
The circuit, created by a team of Spanish engineers and architects and with the Catalan government and the Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia (RACC) overseeing the project, has undergone several modifications since its creation.
Senna and Mansell had an epic duel in 1991
Grand Prix Photo
1994 saw this "chicane" being added
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In 1994, a temporary tyre chicane was introduced at the Nissan corner to slow down F1 cars following safety concerns, as the series was still recovering from the tragic weekend at Imola in which Senna and Ronald Ratzenberger were killed.
The tyre chicane was a compromise reached between the circuit and F1 drivers, who threatened not to race as they felt the wall at the Nissan corner was too close to the circuit.
The following year, the circuit was reconfigured, most notably altering what is now Turn 9 (originally named Campsa) – adding a bigger run-off area – and removing the Nissan corner to make it a straight. Turn 10 (La Caixa) was also modified.
As the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya celebrates 30 years of hosting the Spanish Grand Prix, Damien Smith looks at the remarkable racing that the F1's unofficial home has hosted in its picturesque setting
By
Damien Smith
2007 saw one of the biggest changes to the layout of the circuit with the introduction of a chicane, inserted to slow cars down ahead of the final corner, but which also prevented drivers from building up a run to overtake on. the main straight.
There weren’t any major changes until 2021, when Turn 10 was tweaked again, making it slower and shortening the straight up to it to enhance safety through a bigger run-off.
F1 finally stopped using the final chicane 16 years after its introduction: 2023 brought a return to its original, faster and more flowing layout.
Away from the Tarmac, the circuit has undergone several changes as it continued to evolve to secure its future on the F1 calendar.
The infamous final chicane was last used by F1 in 2022
Grand Prix Photo
Grandstand expansion was well underway during 2002 F1 testing
James Moy/Sutton Images
In more recent years, Tilke Engineers & Architects – known for the design of several circuits currently on the calendar – has been responsible for significant modifications and upgrades to the track.
The circuit’s spectator capacity has increased since its opening, especially after the 2002 grandstand expansion, and now stands at approximately 140,700.
