The Spanish Grand Prix
- Published on Dec 15th, 2010 by The Badger
Barcelona (1991-present)
Circuit de Catalunya's races haven't usually been classics, predominantly because teams test there so much that they've got the perfect setup whilst the drivers could drive the track with their eyes closed.
The race has more often than not been won by the polesitter, with 16 of the 20 races held at circuit ending with victory for the man who started on P1. In fact that last time the poleman didn't win this race was back in 2000, when Mika Hakkinen triumphed from second on the grid. Polesitter Michael Schumacher had been hit with technical problems mid-race.
So there's not too much to say about this one, with qualifying generally deciding the victor. Buy hey, it falls just a week before Monaco, so there's plenty to be excited about for the future.
Webber leads in to turn one and thus seals victory in Spain. | Credit: Red Bull Media
Winners 1991-present
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault)
2009 - Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)
2008 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2007 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2006 - Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2005 - Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
2004 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2003 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2002 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2001 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2000 - Mika Hakkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)
1999 - Mika Hakkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)
1998 - Mika Hakkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)
1997 - Jacques Villeneuve (Williams-Renault)
1996 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
1995 - Michael Schumacher (Benetton-Renault)
1994 - Damon Hill (Williams-Renault)
1993 - Alain Prost (Williams-Renault)
1992 - Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault)
1991 - Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault)
Jerez (1986-1990)
Between 1986 and 1990 the Spanish GP made its home at the Jerez circuit, with three of the era's finest drivers taking the spoils. Ayrton Senna won it twice - in a Lotus in 1986 and a McLaren in '89 - as did Alain Prost, the great Frenchman triumphing in a McLaren in 1988 and a Ferrarin in 1990. The other race, 1987, was won by Nigel Mansell.
Winners 1986-1990
1990 - Alain Prost (Ferrari)
1989 - Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda)
1988 - Alain Prost (McLaren-Honda)
1987 - Nigel Mansell (Williams-Honda)
1986 - Ayrton Senna (Lotus-Renault)
Jamara & Montjuic (1967-1981)
Between 1967 (when it ran as a non-championship race) and 1981 the Spanish GP was generally held at the Jamara circuit. However Montjuïc - a street circuit on the mountain of the same name - assumed hosting duties on four occasions, with 1969, 1971, 1973 and 1975 all taking place there.
Brits dominated the race between '67 and '71, with Jim Clark and Graham Hill winning the first two before Jackie Stewart took three in a row from '69 through '71. Montjuïc hosted it's last F1 race in 1975 (with Jochen Mass taking the win) whilst Gilles Villeneuve triumphed at the final Jamara-based event. It was the legendary Canadian's final win at the wheel of an F1 car.
Winners 1967-1981
1981 - Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari)
1980 - Alan Jones (Williams-Ford)
1979 - Patrick Depailler (Ligier-Ford)
1978 - Mario Andretti (Lotus-Ford)
1977 - Mario Andretti (Lotus-Ford)
1976 - James Hunt (McLaren-Ford)
1975 - Jochen Mass (McLaren-Ford)
1974 - Niki Lauda (Ferrari)
1973 - Emerson Fitipaldi (Lotus-Ford)
1972 - Emerson Fitipaldi (Lotus-Ford)
1971 - Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell-Ford)
1970 - Jackie Stewart (March-Ford)
1969 - Jackie Stewart (Matra-Ford)
1968 - Graham Hill (Lotus-Ford)
1967 - Jim Clark (Lotus-Cosworth)
Pedralbes (1951 & 1954)
Host to the first two Spanish Grand Prix run under the F1 banner, Pedralbes was popular with both fans and drivers. Set in the west of Barcelona, it was won by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1951 and by Mike Hawthorn when racing returned there three years later. However following the Le Mans disaster of 1955 - where 83 spectators were killed by a flying Mercedes-Benz - the circuit was closed due to new safety rules coming in to place.
Winners 1951 & 1954
1954 - Mike Hawthorn (Ferrari)
1951 - Juan Manuel Fangio (Alfa Romeo)
