Formula 1 Season
June 2014European Grand Prix
In 2008, Valencia, Spain's third largest city, hosted its first European Grand Prix. Felipe Massa, a driver for the Italian team Ferrari, achieved the first victory at the inAugustural F1 race.
The 5.4-km (3.2-mile) circuit takes cars through the streets of the city, reaching top speeds of 200 mph. The layout of the track is challenging, with 25 turns (11 left and 14 right), which test drivers to the maximum.
The street circuit skirts the harbour, recently reconstructed for the America's Cup, with a stunning panorama of the Mediterranean. It rarely leaves the water's edge, crossing over Valencia's canal using a specially constructed swing bridge. Once it leaves the harbour area the circuit follows the course of the River Turia towards the suburb of Grao before returning to the home straight via the city's Avenida de Francia. It is 14 metres wide along its entire length.
In 2011 Sebastian Vettel's sixth win in eight races extended the German's lead in the title race to an impressive 77 points.
