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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Spanish Grand Prix in Stats


Circuit NameCircuit de Catalunya
CountrySpain
CityMontmeló
Circuit TypePermanent course
Capacity107,000
DesignerCatalan Government, Montmeló Town Council, RACC
First Race Held1991
Number of Races Held22
Number of Laps66
Circuit DirectionClockwise
Total Number of Corners16
Number of Right Hand Corners9
Number of Left Hand Corners7
Maximum G-Force4.0 G
Circuit length4.627 km (2.875 miles)
Race length66 laps (307.1 km, 190.8 miles)
Pit Lane Length 370m
Longest Stretch at Full Throttle16 seconds
Time Spent At Full Throttle60%
Number of Gear Changes  50
Most Successful TeamFerrari, 7 wins
Most Successful DriverMichael Schumacher, 6 wins
Lap Record1:21.670 - Räikkönen, Ferrari, 2008
Lap Record Average Speed205kph, 128mph
Top Speed Recorded318 km/h (197 mph)
Wins From Pole15/68.18%
Time ZoneUTC +1
Coordinates41°34′12″N 2°15′40″E
Average Temperature 20°C
Average Weather Warm, Sunny



CIRCUIT INFO
The circuit was originally intended to host its first grand prix in 1992 to coincide with Barcelona's Olympic Games, but it was ready a year ahead of schedule. The track is a favourite for out-of-season F1 tests as well as hosting the annual Spanish Grand Prix.
When the circuit was first used overtaking was rife as cars were able to get very close through the last two corners and make use of the slipstream on the straight. Since the changes to the aerodynamics of the cars, however, the turbulence caused from the rear wings has spoiled this opportunity. In 2007 the second to last corner was replaced with a slow chicane in an effort to improve overtaking, but it doesn't seem to have been successful.
Although the circuit has received criticism for lack of race action over the years, there have been a number of memorable moments at the track. In 1991 Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell were fighting tooth and nail for second place, racing side by side down the front straight in a memorable image. It was Mansell who eventually triumphed, winning the inaugural Catalunya race, while Senna finished fifth. In 2006 Fernando Alonso became the first Spanish F1 driver to win at his home circuit.


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