2010 European Grand Prix: 27 June 2010
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2009 DATA:
Length:
5.419 km |
No of Laps:
57 (308.883 km)
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Pole Position:
L. Hamilton - 1:39.498min (McLaren) |
Lap Record :
T. Glock - 1:38.683min (Toyota, 2009) |
2009 Fastest Lap:
T. Glock - 1:38.683 min (Toyota) |
2009 Top 8:
1. R. Barrichello (Brawn GP)
2. L. Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
4. H. Kovalainen (McLaren Mercedes)
5. N. Rosberg (Williams)
6. F. Alonso (Renault)
7. J. Button (Brawn GP)
8. R. Kubica (BMW Sauber F1 Team)
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European GP Facts:
| Full throttle ratio |
59% |
| Top speed race |
306 km/h |
| Longest flat-out section |
13 sec / 930m |
| Right-/left-hand turns |
13/12 |
| Tyre wear |
medium |
| Brake wear |
medium |
| Downforce level |
high |
| Gearshifts per lap |
74 |
Circuit Preview: Valencia Street Circuit
A brand new addition to the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar in 2008, the port city of Valencia in Spain will play host to the 2008 European Grand Prix. Though the city of Valencia is already home to the Ricardo Tormo circuit, the actual F1 circuit will instead be featured as a street circuit, built around the harbour-side streets of the city.
The seven-year deal was inked in June 2007 between F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the Valmor Sport group, spearheaded by former motorcycle rider Jorge Martinez Aspar and Fernando Roig, president of the football club Villareal.
Unveiled in July 2007, the track is located at Valencia's newly renovated marina area, the track layout is 5.473km in length and features a total of 25 turns. The circuit will also join the Otodrom Istanbul (Turkey), Spa Francorchamps (Belgium) and Interlagos (Brazil) as a counterclockwise circuit with 11 right-handers and 14 left-handers. Though still incomplete (at time of this article), it has been estimated that the top speeds could be more than 300 km/h.
Circuit designers were especially keen to capitalise on the harbour-side streets, resulting in a circuit layout that features the scenic beauty of the water's edge throughout. There is even a point where the Formula One cars will cross a canal using a swing bridge that has been specially constructed between the northern and southern parts of the marina.
In the southern part of the marina, the cars will sweep pass the edge of the quay heading into the city's historic fish market area, the docks and shipyards as well as the new suburb of Grao. The course will also lead the drivers along the River Turia before progressing into the city's Avenida de Francia before heading back into the home straight located in the port area.
While the Valencia circuit enjoys all the thrills of a street race, it also boasts the same modern safety specifications of a permanent circuit, such as the width and run-off areas.
With the inclusion of the circuit on the 2008 calendar, Valencia will join Albert Park (Australia), Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Canada), Monaco and Singapore as another street circuit.
Technical Review of the European Grand Prix
The circuit is built into the port area of the city and has a unique character all of its own. It is a street circuit, but cannot actually be compared with Monaco, for example. Indeed, the Valencia circuit is wider and allows a much higher average speed. Plus, there are generous run-off areas at practically all the potential trouble spots around the track, which guarantees a high level of safety. For one thing, there are a lot of run-off areas courtesy of the FIA's efforts to ensure safety and that’s good.
PAST WINNERS: -
| Year |
Driver |
| 2008 |
F. Massa |
Other Circuits