EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX
The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent street circuit in Valencia, Spain which will host the Formula One European Grand Prix for seven years. The first race meeting on the circuit was held over the 23/24 August 2008 weekend, with Felipe Massa winning the main event, the European Grand Prix, after starting from pole position. The circuit utilizes the roads skirting around the city's harbour and America's Cup port area– including a section over a 140-metre-long (460 ft) swing bridge, and also includes some roads designed exclusively for racing purposes by the German architect Hermann Tilke who also designed the infrastructural buildings for the circuit.
Venue: Valencia, Spain
Date: Sunday 24 June 2012
Lap length: 3.367 miles
Race laps: 57
2011 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
First grand prix: 2008
Fascinating fact: Paella originated in the province of Valencia. After leaving Renault for McLaren in 2007, Spanish star Fernando Alonso admitted driving for the team had become like "eating the same plate of paella every night". He was ready for another helping in 2008 after an ill-fated season with McLaren, but is clearly up for a bit of pasta now he has moved to Ferrari for 2010.