Located around the harbour area of Valencia, the Valencia Street Circuit was a temporary street track that hosted the European Grand Prix between 2008 and 2012. Built around the city’s modern port and America’s Cup marina, the circuit combined public roads with purpose-built sections and even featured a swing bridge crossing part of the harbour.
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the venue was intended to bring Formula One to the heart of the city, creating a spectacular waterfront backdrop similar to that of other modern street races. Despite its impressive setting and large infrastructure investment, the circuit had a relatively short life on the Formula One calendar.
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Valencia Street Circuit
| First Grand Prix | 2008 European Grand Prix |
| Number of Laps | 57 |
| Circuit Length | 5.419 km |
| Race Distance | 308.883 km |
| Lap Record | 1:38.683 Timo Glock (2009) |
Circuit
When was the Valencia Street Circuit built?
Construction of the circuit began in 2007, following an agreement signed by Bernie Ecclestone and the Spanish motorsport organisation Valmor Sport. The goal was to create a Formula One race in Valencia’s harbour district, using roads around the port that had been redeveloped for the America’s Cup sailing event.
The circuit officially opened in July 2008 and hosted its first Formula One race the following month.
The track measured 5.419 kilometres (3.367 miles) and featured 25 turns, making it one of the most complex layouts on the calendar at the time. Although it was technically a street circuit, it was wider and more modern than traditional street venues like Circuit de Monaco.
A distinctive feature of the track was a 140-metre swing bridge that connected parts of the harbour. During race weekends, the bridge remained locked in place so cars could cross it as part of the lap.
The circuit combined tight low-speed corners with long straights ending in heavy braking zones. However, despite the presence of these straights, overtaking opportunities were limited because many of them were slightly curved rather than completely straight.
When was the first European Grand Prix in Valencia?
The first European Grand Prix at Valencia took place on 24 August 2008.
The race was won by Felipe Massa, who started from pole position and dominated the race driving for Scuderia Ferrari.
Valencia’s race joined the existing Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, meaning Spain hosted two Formula One events each season during that period.
The circuit remained on the calendar from 2008 to 2012, hosting five Grands Prix. While the track’s harbour setting looked impressive on television, the races were often criticised for producing limited overtaking.
Ironically, the final race at the circuit in 2012 turned out to be one of the most dramatic Formula One races of the season, with numerous overtakes and unexpected results.
What happened to the Valencia Street Circuit?
After the 2012 season, the circuit disappeared from the Formula One calendar. Plans had been discussed to alternate the race between Valencia and Barcelona, but the agreement eventually collapsed due to financial and political complications.
Without Formula One, the expensive street circuit infrastructure was no longer maintained, and the venue was abandoned in 2013. Parts of the track still exist today within the harbour area, though many sections have been repurposed for normal city use.
Valencia Street Circuit lap record
The official Formula One race lap record at the circuit is 1:38.683, set by Timo Glock driving a Toyota TF109 during the 2009 European Grand Prix.
