F1 VENUE MAY LOSE ITS GRAND PRIX DUE TO LACK OF FINANCE

The Spanish Grand Prix was one of the earliest to host the newly founded Formula one series in 1950. The following year the inaugural F1 event was held along the wide streets of the Pedralbes street circuit in Barcelona.A lack of funds meant the race was cancelled for the next two seasons, but returned inn 1954 with Mike Hawthorn ending Ferrari’s dominance. The Le Mans accident in 1955 meant new regulations deemed the circuit unsafe in Spain and the Spanish Grand Prix was not held again until 1968.With two suitable circuits in Monjuic and Jarama, the event was held at each in alternative years. The 1975 event was marked by tragedy and before the cars hit the circuit,. Concerns over safety were raised. Potted history of failed F1 circuitsDrivers and teams threatened to boycott the Monjuic event and so the organisers panicked and threatened to lock the cars away in the nearby stadium. The race finally went ahead but when a wing broke from Rolf Stommelen’s car killing four spectators, the race was abandoned on the 29th lap.But the Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama was then also dropped from the racing calendar after being cancelled in 1982 because the organizers seemed more interested in the golf course near the circuit, and because of the narrow track, unpleasantly hot late June conditions, and small crowd at that year’s race; it would only return in 1986.The mayor of Jerez commissioned a new circuit to be built in the south of Spain, to promote tourism and the world famous regional product of sherry. The circuit held the Spanish Grand Prix for five years between 1986-1990 then a lack of popularity with the crowds saw the promoters pull the plug.A new track was being built at the time in Barcelona, and the Circuit de Catalunya/Barcelona hosted its first F1 race the year before the iconic 1992 Olympics in the city. And from then to now, Barcelona has been the home of the Spanish Grand Prix.