GPUpdate
Circuit de Catalunya ~ Spain
| Circuit: | Circuit de Catalunya |
| Country: | Spain |
| Length: | 4.627 |
| Lap record: | 0:01:17.450 (M. Schumacher) |
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This circuit was built in 1991, after the Spanish Motor federation decided to stop sharing the Spanish Grand Prix between four other tracks. It is situated just north of Barcelona, with a layout better than other modern tracks, because the designer took into consideration that fans preferred to watch overtaking, rather than a parade. The first corner is a sharp right that requires heavy braking, with a large gravel trap to catch those that get it wrong.
Nigel Mansell won in 1991, after Gerhard Berger's engine blew, and Ayrton Senna chose the wrong tyres for the changing conditions.
1992 saw Mansell winning again, with then rookie, Michael Schumacher taking second. Senna came to grief once more, spinning off into the wall with only a few laps to go.
Alain Prost dominated for Williams in 93, ahead of Senna, and in 94, Damon Hill helped make the team smile again after Ayrton's death, taking the win, with Schumacher second.
Michael Schumacher won in 95, and dominated 96, in very wet conditions, rising from 6th to the lead by lap 12, and 97 saw Jacques Villenueve winning for Williams. 1998-2000 was the Hakkinen era before Michael Schumacher fired home a trio of victories from 2001-2003.
Many teams favour the Circuit de Catalunya for testing because of the clement weather and the range of technical challenges the track poses.