This circuit was built in 1991, after the Spanish Motor federation decided to stop sharing the Spanish Grand Prix between four other tracks.

The 4.627KM circuit is situated just north of Barcelona, with a layout better than other modern tracks, because the designer took into consideration that fans preferred to watch overtaking, rather than a parade. The first corner is a sharp right that requires heavy braking, with a large gravel trap to catch those that get it wrong.

Since the official launch of Formula One in 1950, there have been 35 Spanish Grands Prix. The first two GPs were held in Pedralbes, and subsequent venues were Jarama (9), Montjuich (4) and Jerez (5). Since 1991, Formula One has regularly been hosted by the Circuit de Catalunya, which is about half an hour's drive north of the city of Barcelona. 2006 sees the 16th Spanish GP held there.

Since a crowd of 115,900 spectators thronged the circuit on race Sunday 2005 (around 300,000 over the entire GP weekend), modernisation work has been carried out. New toilets and ticket booths have been built in the spectator area, pedestrian bridges and walkways have been extended and more parking space created. Stand N has been redesigned and fitted with seats, while Stands P and V are completely new.

The city of Barcelona (population approx. 1.8 million) with its Mediterranean port lies in the northeast of Spain. It is the economic and cultural hub of Catalonia and is home to several universities and colleges as well as numerous museums and cultural monuments. It counts among its most famous sons Art Nouveau architect Antonio Gaudí (1852-1926), whose works include the still unfinished Church of the Sagrada Familia.