Can you feel the vibrations? The most exciting competition on the international scene is getting underway: the European Formula 1 Grand Prix.
From the 22th to 24th June 2012, soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere of Valencia's Port and enjoy the sophisticated technology of the F1 racing cars at the Valencia Street Circuit. Plus, don't miss out on the concerts organised as part of the Motor Box Experience.
The European Formula 1 Grand Prix, taking place in Valencia, will be watched by over 600 million television viewers worldwide. Another time, Valencia city and the Valencia Street Circuit will be beamed into millions of homes.
The sporting activity begins on 22th June at the circuit with free training sessions for Formula 1. On Saturday, as well as the spectacular Formula 1 qualifying sessions taking place at 2.00 p.m., the first races of the weekend will also be held. And on Sunday 24th June, Valencia will bear witness to another round of the European Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the presence of Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, to name but a few.
Furthermore, until Sunday, spectators can enjoy Malvarrosa Beach Park, a leisure and entertainment area next to the circuit, where they can take part in activities related to the Telefónica Formula 1 European Grand Prix.
The Valencia Street Circuit covers a distance of five kilometres, taking drivers through the Juan Carlos I Marina by Valencia's port to the new area of the city heading out towards El Grao. The circuit includes a swing bridge that crosses the port's dockland area and the use of an emblematic 19th Century building as the pit area.
The Valencia Street Circuit will be opening its doors free of charge every afternoon during the Grand Prix weekend to residents and visitors alike. For the first time, everyone will have the chance to walk along the finishing straight, have their photograph taken on the starting grid, catch a glimpse of VIPs and guests at the event and show their support for the drivers.
In addition, every afternoon, the dock bridge will open so that boats can sail in and out once the racing has finished. The aim is to make the Valencia Street Circuit a space that is open to the sea, so that boats can arrive during the Grand Prix, and open to the land so that locals and tourists alike can take part in the Formula 1 festivities in Valencia with total freedom and free of charge.
Valencia is warming up its engines for its next big challenge: the hosting of the European Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is to take place in the city each summer between 2008 and 2014. During each edition the streets surrounding the port and the beaches will be converted into an urban circuit with a capacity for 100,000 spectators, thus propelling the city to international fame as the host of the most prestigious motor competition on the planet.
The urban circuit, which has been designed by Herman Tilke, measures some five kilometres in length, 14 metres in width and has 25 curves. During the race, the cars will travel between a minimum speed of 95 kilometres per hour and a maximum speed of 323 km/h. Tilke has designed various motor racing circuits, such as Sepang and Shanghai. Security will be fundamental to the Valencia event, which is to be equipped with a medical centre. Ecclestone has stated that the Valencia circuit will be one of the safest Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The project is to make full use of the infrastructures created for the 32nd America’s Cup, such as the press centre and the television centre used during the celebration of the regattas. Valencia, which will be placed in pole position as a destination and as a location for large-scale events, will be viewed by more than 500 million households around the world, thanks to the enormous audiences generated by the media.
