In October 1991, Nigel Mansell was on the brink of losing the World Championship having had a comfortable lead and certain victory thrown away by another pit lane drama in the Portugese Grand Prix at Estoril. He lost one of his wheels after what appeared to be a smooth and tidy pitstop and was later given the black flag. The next stop after Portugal was Spain, but this time the venue was not Jerez. The F1 circus was about to visit a brand new purpose built circuit near Barcelona, the Circuit de Catalunya.

Felipe Massa claimed victory at Valencia for the inaugural grand prix, but the result awaits confirmation from the race stewards who will investigate Ferrari’s actions during the Brazilian’s second pit-stop.

Massa led from pole and had built up a cushion of just under ten seconds over McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton before making his second stop for fuel. Then it all began to unravel for Ferrari.

Teams and drives adopt varying approaches to Valencia challenge.

Unless you’re completely loaded, you probably wouldn’t hurl your hatchback blind around a twisty foreign marina with the same lack of respect you show the streets that surround your home.

Yet, in less than a week’s time, that is exactly what will be asked of Lewis Hamilton et al. as they head into the unknown for the inaugural European Grand Prix at Valencia and reach speeds in excess of 300kpm around the city’s captivating harbour streets, mere meters from the Mediterranean (circuit organisers have already practiced rescue dives in the unlikely case that the cars run off the Astilleros Bridge, it is reported).

Organisers are working around the clock to get the glamorous Spanish port city of Valencia ready for its inaugural European Grand Prix next week.

The alluring Juan Carlos I Marina, which will provide the backdrop to the much anticipated 57-lap race, has already played host to the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007. And in July the 5.4km Herman Tilke-designed street circuit held its first race for Formula 3 and GT cars.

Valencia Preview Quotes

With less than a week to go before the Formula One entourage makes its inaugural dash around Valencia’s hedonistic Juan Carlos I Marina, F1’s elite are, for once, unanimous: the European Grand Prix is set to be spectacular.

McLaren, BMW Sauber and Honda chiefs give a unique insight into the technical demands posed by the Spanish port city of Valencia, host to next week’s European Grand Prix.