Along with Bahrain, the majority of Formula 1’s pre-season testing in recent times has taken place at three circuits in Spain. This time we talk about Circuito de Jerez, the southernmost of the Spanish tracks, which last hosted pre-season testing in 2015.
After Madrid’s Jarama circuit proved unsuitable for the demands of modern F1 machinery, the Spanish Grand Prix disappeared from the Formula 1 calendar between 1982-1985. It returned in 1986 at the brand new Circuito Permanente de Jerez, which was built in the middle of sherry country in the Andalusian region of southern Spain.
Jerez staged some memorable races over the next five years, though it was the scene in 1990 of a terrible crash that ended the career of Irishman Martin Donnelly. The circuit returned in 1997 as host of the European Grand Prix and saw the title decided in favour of Jacque Villeneuve after Michael Schumacher unsuccessfully tried to take him out! It happened on Lap 48 when Schumacher drove into the French-Canadian as he attempted to pass; the German ended up in the gravel and was subsequently disqualified from the season’s standings.
While the circuit has remained a mainstay on the MotoGP calendar, it’s only been used by Formula 1 since as a venue for winter testing. No wonder it’s been popular. Visiting teams and journalists invariably arrive from cold Northern European climes to be greeted by orchards full of orange trees and temperatures pushing 20 degrees Celsius. Jerez de la Frontera is a lovely little town with an ancient downtown featuring a big cathedral and historical buildings – you can even join a processione if you’re are there at the right time. Lovely bars and small restaurants provide typical Andalusian fare – ham, olives, cheese and of course different tapas dishes. You can also tour one of the famous sherry factories, such as Sandeman, or take a day trip to the seaside city of Cadiz. Locals are friendly, though life here is tough; unemployment is high, especially among young people, many of whom head north in search of jobs in Madrid and Barcelona.
Out on the circuit, there’s excitement. How will the new cars perform? Many teams launch their new cars at testing and make themselves available for lengthy interviews. Usually only one car is available for testing, which means the second driver has plenty of free time to chat to journalists like me. I remember talking to Toro Rosso adviser Daniele Audetto, who had been Team Manager at Ferrari in 1976 when Niki Lauda had his fiery accident at the Nurburgring, then heroically returned to the grid just 38 days later, eventually losing the Championship to James Hunt in Japan. Sitting with a red scarf around his neck, Audetto began to reminisce about his period. Our fascinating talk lasted at least two hours.
Read Karoly’s earlier article about pre-season testing at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
