Spanish Grand Prix: Facts & Figures

By BMW WilliamsF1
April 30 2004

 

 

  
Facts & Figures
 
* The city of Barcelona, situated in the northeast of Spain, has a population of approximately 1.8 million. It is the economic and cultural centre of Catalunya, boasting several universities and institutes of higher education, as well as numerous museums and cultural monuments. One of the city's most famous sons is the architect Antoni Gaudí who bequeathed to his city, among other works, the incomplete Sagrada Familia Cathedral.

* A total of 33 Grands Prix have been held in Spain since the Championship's inception in 1951. The first two Spanish Grands Prix were staged in Pedralbes. Subsequent venues include Jarama (9), Montjuich (4) and Jerez (5). Since 1991, Formula One has been staged on the Circuit de Catalunya, which lies to the north of Barcelona. 2004 will mark the city's 14th Spanish Grand Prix.

* Nigel Mansell (GBR), driving a Williams Renault, won the first race held at the Circuit de Catalunya, on 29th September 1991.

* In total, WilliamsF1 has won six Spanish Grands Prix. Mansell secured the team's first victory on Spanish soil at Jerez in 1987. The most recent victory was claimed ten years later by Jacques Villeneuve (CDN) on the Circuit de Catalunya.

* After a difficult qualifying in 2003 (Schumacher secured seventh place on the grid while Montoya could only manage ninth), the race itself brought better fortunes with the Colombian crossing the line in fourth place followed by team mate, Ralf, in fifth.

* Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) won last year's Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of local hero Fernando Alonso in the Renault.

* Michael Schumacher claimed pole position in 2003 with a time of 1:17.762 minutes, while his team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, set a new lap record during the race with a time of 1:20.143 minutes.

* The circuit has undergone modifications since last year's event. Turn 8, a left-hand corner towards the end of the back straight, has been moved back to accommodate a longer run-off. The tighter design of the corner, combined with its earlier braking point, should allow for an additional passing opportunity. This modification reduced the length of the track from 4.730 to 4.627 kilometres.

* The 2004 Spanish Grand Prix starts at 14.00 hrs local time on Sunday 9th May. The Grand Prix will comprise 66 laps which equates to a race distance of 305.256 kilometres.
 
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