Circuit of Jerez, formerly known as Circuito Permanente de Jerez, is a 4,428 m (2.752-mile) racing circuit located in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, deep within the sherry-producing south of Spain.
The circuit opened on 8 December 1985. During 1986 the circuit hosted the first international motorcycle event in Spain in March and the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix in April. The circuit's remote location hindered significant spectator turnout, although up to 125,000 can be accommodated.
Due to the hosting of the European Grand Prix in 1994, the circuit instituted safety changes from the 1990 configuration, including a new chicane (the Senna curve) at the corner where Martin Donnelly had an appalling accident during qualifying for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix.
During the podium celebrations of the 1997 race, Jerez's Mayor Pedro Pacheco disrupted the podium celebrations by presenting a trophy that was supposed to be presented by a dignitary from Daimler-Benz. This incident resulted on the track being temporarily banned from hosting a F1 Grand Prix. |
