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Barcelona
has a rich motor racing
tradition that dates
back to the start of the
century with the Copa
Catalunya endurance
race, as well as
sporadic F1 action on
the Pedralbes and
Montjiuch circuits in
the 50’s and 60’s.
Yet after a major
accident at Montjiuch in
1968, racing activity
ended in Barcelona for
decades until the local
government voted to
create a new,
international standard
racing circuit in 1986.
Just days before
the F1 circus rolled in,
the new Circuit de
Catalunya was completed
for the 1991 Spanish
Grand Prix, and in its
debut event greatly
impressed the F1 world
with its track design
and facility conditions.
The
track is essentially a
combination of straights
and fast turns, with
four slower corners to
control speeds.
It is one of the
fastest circuits in F1, and traditionally it
has been the teams with
the most powerful
engines that excel here.
Although there
have been thrilling
races at Catalunya,
including the 2001 race
when Hakkinen’s engine
expired just moments
before taking the win,
it is quite a narrow
track, meaning passing
is few and far between.
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