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After a 4 week break we return to Grand prix racing with round 11, The Grand Prix of Europe, Valencia.
History
The European Grand Prix was created as an honorific title by the AIACR, the FIA's predecessor in the organisation of motor racing events. The first race to receive the title was the Italian Grand Prix, in 1923. Since then it has been held at various locations across Europe. In 1993, Donington Park hosted The European Grand Prix. This race resulted in Senna's famous victory in wet/dry conditions where he essentially lapped the field.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZrMnWpQQB4
1997 saw the race at Jerez, the scene of Häkkinen's first F1 victory. It was also the site of the famous incident between Schumacher and Villeneuve which saw Schumacher get disqualified from the championship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2MeWpZSeL8
The 1999 race at the Nürburgring was notable for the torrential rain conditions which saw many experienced drivers slide off the circuit, presenting Johnny Herbert with the opportunity to take Stewart Grand Prix's first (and only) victory in its final season before being sold to Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJgD8_xB2BA
(Apologies for car alarm music!)
The race continued to be held at the Nürburgring until 2007 and then onto Valencia for 2008.
Circuit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQb0W0oexRc
Course length, 191.931 miles (308.883 km)
Distance 57 laps, 3.367 miles (5.419 km)
Situated in Valencia's recently-revamped marina area, the layout of the innovative track is challenging, 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.
This is a high down force circuit with fuel consumption at approx. 2.5 kg per lap. Expect the track to be slippery on Friday morning, but grip levels will increase as more rubber goes down. This will make set-up tricky and until the track surface settles down no one can be sure if it’s the car or the circuit that is providing the extra speed.
Last Year’s Results & Stats
Pole position
Driver Felipe Massa Ferrari
Time 1:38.989
Fastest lap
Driver Felipe Massa Ferrari
Time 1:38.708 on lap 36
Podium
First Felipe Massa Ferrari
Second Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
Third Robert Kubica BMW Sauber
Most wins (drivers)
Michael Schumacher (6)
Most wins (constructors)
Ferrari (6)
Timetable
Friday 21st August
Practice 1 0900 – 1030
Practice 2 1300 – 1430
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday Practice 1000 – 1100
Qualifying 1300
Sunday 23rd August
Race 1300
All timings are BST.
I am not going to make any predictions because it is too close to call between Red Bull and Brawn, throw in some vastly improving Ferrari’s and McLaren’s and hopefully this year’s race could have some surprises because last year’s race was hardly the most exciting. Hopefully the Renaults will be able to race because no Renault means no Alonso and that would lead to low attendance.
Here’s to a good race!
History
The European Grand Prix was created as an honorific title by the AIACR, the FIA's predecessor in the organisation of motor racing events. The first race to receive the title was the Italian Grand Prix, in 1923. Since then it has been held at various locations across Europe. In 1993, Donington Park hosted The European Grand Prix. This race resulted in Senna's famous victory in wet/dry conditions where he essentially lapped the field.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZrMnWpQQB4
1997 saw the race at Jerez, the scene of Häkkinen's first F1 victory. It was also the site of the famous incident between Schumacher and Villeneuve which saw Schumacher get disqualified from the championship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2MeWpZSeL8
The 1999 race at the Nürburgring was notable for the torrential rain conditions which saw many experienced drivers slide off the circuit, presenting Johnny Herbert with the opportunity to take Stewart Grand Prix's first (and only) victory in its final season before being sold to Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJgD8_xB2BA
(Apologies for car alarm music!)
The race continued to be held at the Nürburgring until 2007 and then onto Valencia for 2008.
Circuit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQb0W0oexRc
Course length, 191.931 miles (308.883 km)
Distance 57 laps, 3.367 miles (5.419 km)
Situated in Valencia's recently-revamped marina area, the layout of the innovative track is challenging, 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.
This is a high down force circuit with fuel consumption at approx. 2.5 kg per lap. Expect the track to be slippery on Friday morning, but grip levels will increase as more rubber goes down. This will make set-up tricky and until the track surface settles down no one can be sure if it’s the car or the circuit that is providing the extra speed.
Last Year’s Results & Stats
Pole position
Driver Felipe Massa Ferrari
Time 1:38.989
Fastest lap
Driver Felipe Massa Ferrari
Time 1:38.708 on lap 36
Podium
First Felipe Massa Ferrari
Second Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
Third Robert Kubica BMW Sauber
Most wins (drivers)
Michael Schumacher (6)
Most wins (constructors)
Ferrari (6)
Timetable
Friday 21st August
Practice 1 0900 – 1030
Practice 2 1300 – 1430
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday Practice 1000 – 1100
Qualifying 1300
Sunday 23rd August
Race 1300
All timings are BST.
I am not going to make any predictions because it is too close to call between Red Bull and Brawn, throw in some vastly improving Ferrari’s and McLaren’s and hopefully this year’s race could have some surprises because last year’s race was hardly the most exciting. Hopefully the Renaults will be able to race because no Renault means no Alonso and that would lead to low attendance.
Here’s to a good race!
DT_Xtremez_30: