Europe 24/08/2008

There was a time when Spanish interest in Formula 1 was so slight that the annual Catalunya race struggled to muster a respectable crowd.

But the emergence of Fernando Alonso has triggered hitherto unknown passion for motorsport in the nation, and in 2008 Spain has been rewarded with a second grand prix date for the first time.

The new race is set to be one of the highlights of the calendar, as it will take place on a brand new harbourside street circuit at Valencia.

The city has been revitalised in recent years, and the GP will be based around the marina formerly used for the America's Cup yacht race.

It will be the first true new street track to join the calendar since Phoenix in 1989.

With the trend for modern circuits to feature acres of run-off and long, wide straights, it seemed like Monaco would long remain F1's only street venue.

But in 2008 it will be one of three such tracks, with the new Singapore GP also taking place on the streets.

The Valencia designers have taken care to ensure that the track still meets all the modern safety standards while retaining the character of a street circuit.

The layout has the plethora of chicanes and hairpins that are to be expected in any street course, but also boasts some flat-out, sweeping sections amongst its spectacular 25-corner layout.

It even includes a swing bridge over a canal – something that even Monaco cannot boast.

Throw in hundreds of thousands of fanatical Alonso supporters, and the scene is set for a sensational event.

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