2008 European Grand Prix
4 months ago
This years Formula 1 European Grand Prix will be held in Spain's third largest city of Valencia, home to the 32nd America's Cup, IAAF World Indoor Championships and now the 2008 Formula 1 Telefonica Grand Prix of Europe.
No Ordinary Street Circuit
Construction of this 24 corner circuit started in October 2007 with most of the tarmac being layed in April of this year. It is being described as no ordinary street circuit when compared to the Monaco Grand Prix. I agree and feel, from viewing photographs and videos, that this circuit is similar to Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Canada which contains tight twisty turns, high speed straights and a hairpin bend. Norbert Haug says the following about the ciruit:
When you think about temporary street races in Formula One, you mainly think about Monaco, However, Valencia does not have very much in common with this classic race; just that both cities are located on the Mediterranean coast and that both circuits lead along the harbour front.
While the Monte Carlo race is the slowest of the year with an average speed of about 156 km/h for the fastest lap, and is also the shortest with a race distance of almost 254 kilometres, we face a race distance of 310 kilometres in Valencia and a track on which the cars will reach 300 km/h or more five times per lap.
Replacing the Nürburgring
Valencia is replacing the previous holder of the European Grand Prix, the Nürburgring circuit in Germany which has held the event from 1995 until 2007. According the the Wikipedia, the Nürburgring will alternative ownership of the German Grand Prix with the Hockenheimring. This is confirmed by the provisional 2009 calendar and also the provisional 2010 calendar.
I'm very much looking forward to this event and after the Formula 1 equivalent of a summer break, I think I've been missing it. The teams will get onto the circuit for the first time on Friday at 9am BST, which I will be watching online via ITV... I can't wait!