European Formula One Grand Prix

European Formula One Grand Prix

European Formula One Grand Prix Valencia - Valencia F1 Urban Circuit

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008

About Valencia F1 Urban Circuit:

Valencia is fast becoming one of the most talked about Spanish destinations. Over recent years the old industrial port has been transformed into a real cultural must-see and in August 2008 the glamorous city hosts its first Grand Prix on a brand-new harbour-side street circuit.

Situated in Valencia's recently-revamped marina area, the track is 5.473 kilometres in length and boasts top speeds of over 300 km/h - and average speeds of 200 km/h. The layout of the innovative track is challenging too, with 25 turns (11 left and 14 right) to test the drivers to the maximum.

After deciding on a harbour-side location, the circuit's designers were keen to use the unique area to its full potential and for most of the lap the action rarely leaves the water's edge. Indeed, at one point the Formula One cars even cross over Valencia's canal, using a swing bridge which has been specially built between the north and the south marina.

Once on the southern side of the port, the cars pass very near to the edge of the quay. After leaving the historic fish market area, the field leaves the docks through the shipyard gates and heads towards the new suburb of Grao. After briefly following the course of the River Turia, the cars then slow for a tight hairpin and progress down the city's Avenida de Francia.

After negotiating a series of 'S' bends, the field then makes a sharp turn to the left and finally enters the home straight, which is situated back in the port area. The pits and team garages are also located in the former port stalls.

While enjoying all the benefits of a street circuit, the new track has also been designed to meet the same modern safety specifications that apply to permanent circuits. The track is at least 14 metres wide along its entire length and also features appropriate run-off areas throughout.

Valencia F1 Urban Circuit on Google Maps:

Latest Formula One News:

26.07.2008
Heidfeld confident KERS can be made safe

Nick Heidfeld is confident that his BMW Sauber team will eradicate all safety doubts about their Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), despite the drama at Jerez in Spain this week.

25.07.2008
Kovalainen quickest on final day at Jerez

Heikki Kovalainen ended this week's test at Jerez in Spain with the fastest time on Friday, as his McLaren team continued evaluation of the nose horn wings that appeared for the first time.

25.07.2008
Ferrari run shark fin cover at Jerez

Ferrari have become the latest Formula One team to test a shark fin engine cover, with Felipe Massa evaluating the new design on the final afternoon of this week's test at Jerez in Spain.

25.07.2008
Mosley sues NOTW for libel

FIA president Max Mosley has begun libel proceedings against the News of the World over claims that he lied in denying there was a Nazi element to an S and M orgy he took part in.

25.07.2008
Woman E denies Nazi theme

The woman who sold her story about Max Mosley's involvement in an S and M orgy to the News of the World has insisted that there was no Nazi theme to the party.

25.07.2008
Hamilton still wary of Ferrari threat

Lewis Hamilton is heading to the Hungarian Grand Prix still wary about the threat posed by Ferrari, despite his back-to-back victories in Britain and Germany.

25.07.2008
Hungary preview quotes: McLaren

Hungary preview quotes: McLaren

25.07.2008
Analysis: Eady verdict good for the press

The verdict submitted by Justice Eady in the London High Court yesterday, in the case of Max Mosley versus News of the World, makes for a fascinating read: Justice Eady is witty, analytic, at times humorous, and his story-telling is engaging throughout.

25.07.2008
Hungary preview quotes: BMW

Hungary preview quotes: BMW

25.07.2008
Barrichello: Honda updates a small step

Rubens Barrichello says the new updates introduced by Honda Racing at Jerez are a step forward, but not as much as the team had expected.

25.07.2008
Raikkonen more positive after test

Kimi Raikkonen is more confident about Ferrari's pace than he was after the German Grand Prix, following some encouraging results in testing at Jerez in Spain this week.

25.07.2008
The full verdict in Mosley's privacy case

The full verdict handed out by The Honourable Mr Justice Eady of the London High Court in the case of Max Mosley versus News of the World

24.07.2008
McLaren try out nose horn wings

McLaren are considering introducing a radical-looking update to their car for the Hungarian Grand Prix after trying out their version of nose horn wings in testing at Jerez on Thursday

24.07.2008
FIA begins random engine checks

The FIA has begun its annual routine random checks on all Formula One engines, with Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer whose power unit will be examined

24.07.2008
Webber tops third day at Jerez

Mark Webber kept Red Bull machinery at the top of the timesheets in Jerez when he led the way on the third day of this week's test at the Spanish track

24.07.2008
Liuzzi: Seamless shift on target

Vitantonio Liuzzi is confident that Force India's new seamless shift gearbox will be ready in time to run at the Hungarian Grand Prix after a positive first test at Jerez this week

24.07.2008
GPDA to stay out of KERS debate

Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) director Mark Webber says he is happy to leave decisions about Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) to the teams and the FIA, despite the latest safety scares

24.07.2008
Piquet: Germany podium changes nothing

Nelson Piquet says that his maiden podium finish in the German Grand Prix has changed nothing for him - even though he accepts it will alter people's perceptions of his ability

24.07.2008
Q and A with Nelson Piquet

Q and A with Nelson Piquet

24.07.2008
Newspaper editor fears for press freedom

The News of the World editor Colin Myler claims British press freedom has been eroded by the High Court's decision to award Max Mosley UKP60,000 damages for a breach of privacy

24.07.2008
Court verdict delights Mosley

FIA president Max Mosley hopes that his victory in the privacy action against the News of the World will help change the behaviour of newspapers in the future.

24.07.2008
Mosley wins privacy lawsuit

FIA president Max Mosley has won his privacy action against the News of the World, being awarded UKP60,000 in damages

24.07.2008
Verdict due today on Mosley lawsuit

The judgment in FIA president Max Mosley's privacy case against the News of the World is scheduled to be given in the London High Court this morning.

23.07.2008
BMW mechanic released from hospital

The BMW Sauber mechanic injured in the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) incident at Jerez on Tuesday has now returned home, after being released from hospital.

23.07.2008
Vettel stays on top in Jerez test

Scuderia Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel stayed on top of the times on the second day of testing at the Jerez circuit on Wednesday.

23.07.2008
Toyota doubt KERS will be ready in time

Toyota team president John Howett is unsure Formula One teams will be able to have the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) ready for use in time for the start of next season.

23.07.2008
Vettel insists he is fully focused on '08

Sebastian Vettel insists his new contract with Red Bull Racing will not distract him from his current role at the Toro Rosso team.

23.07.2008
Trulli says too early to judge slick tyres

Jarno Trulli says it is still too early to judge Bridgestone's slick tyres following his first day of testing at the Jerez circuit on Tuesday.

23.07.2008
Mechanic hospitalised after KERS incident

The BMW Sauber mechanic who suffered an electric shock during testing at Jerez in Spain on Tuesday had to spend the night in hospital after complaining of dizzy spells, autosport.com has learned.

22.07.2008
McLaren promote Ryan to sporting director

McLaren have promoted long-time team manager Dave Ryan to the new role of sporting director.

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