F1 – Circuits – Spain
 | Spanish GP | Date: 12 May 2013 |
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| Circuit Name | Circuit de Catalunya (Barcelona) | |
| Type of Circuit | Permanent | |
| Inaugurated | 1991 | |
| Circuit Length | 4.655 km | |
| Race Distance | 307.104 km | |
| Number of Laps | 66 | |
| Total Number of Turns | 16 | |
| Right-Hand Turns | 9 | |
| Left-Hand Turns | 7 | |
| Direction of the Circuit | Clockwise | |
| Lap Record | 1:21.670 – K Raikkonen (2008) | |
| 2012 Fastest Race Lap | 1:26.250 – Romain Grosjean | |
| 2012 Pole Position | 1:22.285 – Pastor Maldonado | |
| 2012 Race Winner | Pastor Maldonado | |
One of the circuits most known to teams and drivers because, besides hosting the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, it is the setting for a large amount of preseason testing. The Spanish Grand Prix has taken place since 1913, when touring cars competed on a 300 kilometre circuit near Madrid. In 1951 it became a part of the Formula 1 World Championship and, back then, the race took place at the Circuito de Pedralbes. In 1991 it moved to the Circuit de Catalunya, a circuit which is made up of a mix of slow and fast corners, which added to the bumpy surface, make the race mechanically and physically demanding. Tyres get worn out a lot, especially those on the left side of the car since all high speed corners are right hand turns. | ||