Formula One in Valencia
Since the 2008 season, Valencia has been a Formula One venue, one of two Spanish cities on the annual F1 calendar. While Barcelona hosts the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuito de Catalunya, Valencia’s European Grand Prix is a street race in the classic Monte Carlo fashion.
Known as the Circuito Urbano de Valencia, the race shows the city off beautifully as it follows grand boulevards lined by luxury modern apartments and the iconic architecture of local-born Santiago Calatrava. From here, with the stunning City of Arts and Sciences in the background, the course snakes around the waters of the marina, whose equally impressive modern architecture has played host to several editions of the America’s Cup.
Around 100,000 people will follow the race from the grandstands, with many more watching from their balconies or from boats in the yacht harbour as the glamour of the Formula One circus sweeps over the city. Thousands of international visitors use the event to explore this city, which counts as one of the most elegant and vibrant on the Mediterranean. Just up from the modern part of town where the circuit has been created is the stylish historic centre, with its tree-lined avenues flanked by grand buildings in classical and Art Deco style.
While the drivers, engineers and team leaders practise, both fans and entourage have the choice of the city’s shopping districts, its café society and fine restaurants, the many cultural and historical delights, or indeed the sandy beaches that extend just beyond the marina. A port city with a great commercial tradition, Valencia shows its confidence and vibrancy through events such as the Formula One Grand Prix, the America’s Cup and the many international concerts and performances held here. The fact that the city’s football team is also a regular in European Champions League and Uefa Cup competitions also brings much attention, but in sporting terms it doesn’t get very much bigger than Formula One.
