ELMS Returns To Sunny Spain in 2019

As the home of the Spanish Grand Prix, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of five current Formula One tracks included in the 2019 schedule, the others being Le Castellet, Monza, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, ensuring Europe’s premier endurance championship provides the very best stage for the teams and drivers to compete on.

It is ten years since the last time the series raced at Spain’s premier circuit when the Le Mans Series held the 1000km de Catalunya on the 5^th April 2009. Ten years ago there were four classes in the six hour race – LMP1, LMP2, LMGT1 and LMGT2 – with the overall victory going to the LMP1 class Aston Martin Racing Lola Aston Martin driven by Jan Charouz, Tomas Enge and Stefan Mucke. 

Looking through the classifications there are several teams and drivers who are still racing in the ELMS, most notably the LMGT1 victory in the 2009 race being claimed by 2018 LMP2 Champion Roman Rusinov, who raced an IPB Spartak Racing Lamborghini with Dutch driver Peter Kox.

Other notable drivers on the 2009 list include 2018 ELMS race winners Olivier Pla and Christian Ried, along with podium finishers Nicolas Lapierre, Pierre Ragues and Matthieu Lahaye.

The 4.655km / 2.892 mile circuit was built in 1991 and is located 32km to the north of the city of Barcelona and 18km from the Mediterranean coast. It features 16 turns and the current outright lap record is held by Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo with a 1m18.441 lap at the 2018 Spanish GP.

Since 1991 the track has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix and in 2006 the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans Champion Fernando Alonso became the first Spanish driver to win a home Grand Prix on his way to his second F1 world title. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was also a venue during the 1992 Olympics and has hosted the motorcycle GP for the past 27 years, with this year’s race being held in June. 

For more information on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya visit www.circuitcat.com