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From Pole Poistion to Fan Village: 7 Things Only F1 Insiders Know About the Spanish GP

After the pole position 1-2 for McLaren: Oscar Piastri (1) and Lando Norris (2), here are some curiosities for you to better appreciate the last Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Por: Karla Sofía Espinoza May 31, 2025

Oscar Piastri took his fourth pole position of the season during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix / Photo via Mclaren website

As Formula 1 prepares to bid farewell to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after 35 consecutive editions, the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix emerges as a landmark event steeped in history, technical intrigue, and unique cultural traditions.

The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, the final European circuit stop of the season, and the last in Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before the sport’s relocation to Madrid in 2026, offers a rich tapestry of curiosities that blend motorsport legacy with contemporary spectacle.

1. Pole Position Dominance

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Barcelona races between 2001 and 2019 were won from pole, a statistic attributed to the circuit’s limited overtaking zones.

So today, Saturday, Oscar Piastri took his fourth pole position of the season during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, with the championship leader overtaking McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the closing moments of the session. The third position goes to Max Verstappen (Red Bull).

2. A Century-Old Legacy Meets Modern Innovation

The Spanish Grand Prix stands as one of motorsport’s oldest competitions, tracing its origins to 1913 as a production car race. Its centenary celebration in 2013 highlighted its resilience through geopolitical upheavals, including interruptions by World War I and the Spanish Civil War.

The event’s modern identity crystallized in 1991 with the inauguration of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, designed to coincide with Barcelona’s 1992 Summer Olympics infrastructure.

The track’s initial claim to fame included serving as the finish line for Olympic road cycling, embedding it within Spain’s sporting heritage.

3. The "Test Track" Tradition

Teams rely on its 4.657-kilometer layout—featuring 16 turns and elevation changes—to evaluate aerodynamic efficiency and tire performance under diverse conditions. This tradition stems from the circuit’s balanced mix of high-speed straights and technical sectors, which simulate varied racing scenarios.

The 2025 preseason saw Ferrari’s innovative rear-wing adjustments and Mercedes’ energy recovery system tweaks tested here, continuing its legacy as an engineering crucible.

4. Architectural Evolution and Safety Milestones

The circuit’s physical layout has undergone notable modifications reflecting Formula 1’s safety evolution. In 1994, following the tragic deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola, organizers hastily installed a chicane at the Nissan corner using stacked tires—a temporary measure later replaced by permanent infrastructure.

A more profound change occurred in 2021, when the final RACC Chicane was removed to adopt MotoGP’s safer layout, reducing cornering speeds by 12% while improving overtaking opportunities into Turn 112. These adjustments underscore the track’s dual role as a laboratory for both competition and safety innovation.

5. The Plaza de Catalunya Fan Village

A cornerstone of Grand Prix week since 2025, the F1 Barcelona Fan Village transforms central Barcelona into a motorsport hub and stage for evening concerts.

With free admission, the 2025 edition introduced a “Decades of Speed” exhibit, displaying Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1951-winning Alfa Romeo 159 alongside Fernando Alonso’s 2006 Renault R265.

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6. The Ghost of Montjuïc

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Formula 1’s last race at Barcelona’s Montjuïc street circuit, a venue infamous for its perilous guardrail-free cliffs and 1975 fatalities.

To commemorate this, the F1 Barcelona Fan Village showcases a curated exhibition of historic cars, including the Lotus 72 that raced at Montjuïc and the Benetton B192 driven by Michael Schumacher.

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7. Schumacher’s Rain Masterclass

Michael Schumacher’s 1996 victory in torrential conditions remains a benchmark for driver skill. Piloting an underpowered Ferrari F310, Schumacher lapped 2.5 seconds faster than rivals, exploiting the circuit’s drainage advantages to secure his first win for the Scuderia.

This performance is annually commemorated through a wet-weather simulation challenge at the Fan Village, where enthusiasts test their skills on hydroplaning-prone virtual replicas.

Key information about the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix

Why is the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix significant? It’s the last race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before Formula 1 moves to Madrid in 2026, marking 35 years at the historic track.
What makes pole position crucial at Barcelona? Limited overtaking zones mean 79% of races from 2001-2019 were won from pole. The 2025 pole was won by Oscar Piastri.
How has the circuit evolved for safety? After 1994 tragedies, a temporary chicane was added, and in 2021, the RACC Chicane was removed, reducing speeds by 12%.
What is the F1 Barcelona Fan Village? A free motorsport hub in central Barcelona with concerts and a 2025 “Decades of Speed” exhibit featuring historic cars.
Why is Schumacher’s 1996 win notable? Schumacher’s rain-soaked victory showcased his skill, lapping 2.5 seconds faster in an underpowered Ferrari, celebrated in the Fan Village’s wet-weather challenge.