Spanish track has flavour of Monaco
The Circuito Monteblanco, with the street secion in the top right.
Pictures: Circuito Monteblanco
Anew circuit in Spain is aiming to attract Formula One test teams with a section that closely mimics part of the Monte Carlo street course.
Circuito Monteblanco, which is being constructed 30 miles from Seville in the Andalucía region, aims to be open by April 2007. The 2.92-mile course has been designed by Jaime Nogueto FIA Grade 1T standards, which will allow for the track to host Formula One testing.
The street section at Circuito Monteblanco.
Former GT driver and circuit director Michel Ligonnet says the circuit has primarily been built for testing, although it is licensed for racing up to GP2 standards and is likely to host rounds of the domestic GT and F3 series.
"We are not doing an F1 circuit aimed at holding a Grand Prix because we do not want to compete with Barcelona," he said.
A unique feature of the track design is an extra loop which winds around the circuit offices and a hotel, modelled on Monte Carlo's famous Mirabeau to Loewe's Hairpin section. The 0.87-mile extension creates a 3.66-mile circuit which Ligonnet says has already attracted interest from F1 teams.
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