European Grand Prix
Race information
Number of times held23
Germany Nürburgring (12)
Spain Valencia Street Circuit (5)
United Kingdom Brands Hatch (2)
Spain Circuito de Jerez (2)
United Kingdom Donington Park (1)
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit (1)
First held1983
Last held2016
Most wins (drivers)Germany Michael Schumacher (6)
Most wins (constructors)Italy Ferrari (7)
Last race (2016)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

The European Grand Prix (also known as the Grand Prix of Europe) was a Formula One event that was introduced during the mid-1980s and was held every year from 1993 to 2012, except in 1998. During these years, the European Grand Prix was held in a country that hosted its own national Grand Prix at a different point in the same season, at a different circuit (except in 2007). The race returned as a one-off in 2016, being held on a street circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan; this event was renamed to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017.

In earlier years, the European Grand Prix was not a race in its own right, but an honorific title given to one of the national Grands Prix in Europe. The first race to be so named was the 1923 Italian Grand Prix, held at Monza, and the last was the 1977 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

As an honorific title

The European Grand Prix was created as an honorific title by the AIACR, the FIA's predecessor in the organisation of motor racing events. The first race to receive the title was the Italian Grand Prix, in 1923; the French Grand Prix followed in 1924 and the Belgian Grand Prix in 1925. After a hiatus in 1929, the Belgian race received the title in 1930, becoming the last race to do so before World War II.

The title was revived by the FIA after the war, when it was given to the 1947 Belgian Grand Prix. For the next thirty years (except 1953 and 1969–1971), the title was distributed across several countries, including at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix in 1963. The last race to receive the title was the 1977 British Grand Prix. All post-war honorific European Grands Prix were Formula One races except for the 1952 event, the Belgian Grand Prix, which was run to Formula Two regulations.

The Italian and Belgian Grands Prix both received the title seven times, more than any other race.

As a standalone round of the World Championship

Brands Hatch (1983, 1985)

The event was initially created as a stop-gap. In 1983, the Formula One schedule originally featured a race near Flushing Meadows in New York City. When the race was cancelled three months before the event, track organizers at Brands Hatch were able to create a European Grand Prix at the track in its place. The success of the event, buoyed by a spirited battle for the World Championship, led to the event returning on the schedule the following year.

Brands Hatch was unable to host the European Grand Prix in 1984, as it was hosting the British Grand Prix in even numbered years (alternating with Silverstone) so the European GP went to a redesigned and shorter Nürburgring circuit in 1984.

Brands Hatch returned to host the European Grand Prix in 1985, but the race was replaced in 1986 by the Hungarian Grand Prix. Originally the 1985 European Grand Prix was going to be held in Rome on a street circuit around the EUR[1] but was moved to Brands Hatch.

Donington Park (1993)

In 1990, a wealthy Japanese businessman, Tomonori Tsurumaki, built the Nippon Autopolis with the idea of hosting a Formula One race. In 1992, plans were made to have an Asian Grand Prix in 1993 to replace the Mexican Grand Prix on the schedule. However, these plans failed to materialise. Instead, Bernie Ecclestone added a race at Donington Park to the schedule, which brought back the European Grand Prix moniker. The race was the brainchild of Tom Wheatcroft, who had been trying to bring F1 to the track since an abortive attempt to host the British Grand Prix in 1988. The first and so far only Formula One Grand Prix at Donington Park resulted in Ayrton Senna's victory in mixed wet and dry conditions.

Jerez (1994, 1997)

The European race would go the following season to Jerez in Spain. Jerez hosted round 14 of 16 in 1994 and the season finale in 1997, and it was the site of the controversial collision between Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve which saw Schumacher get disqualified from the championship and it was also the scene of Mika Häkkinen's first Formula One victory.

Nürburgring GP-Strecke (1984, 1995-1996, 1999-2007)

Brands Hatch was unable to host the European Grand Prix in 1984, so the European GP went to a redesigned and shorter Nürburgring circuit in 1984. It was a far cry from the 23 kilometre Nürburgring that most were used to seeing, and was initially unpopular during Formula One's return.

The race returned to Nürburgring in 1995, which was now popular again with drivers. But after complaints that no other countries were to get the race, the Nürburgring race was renamed the Luxembourg Grand Prix. Jerez got the race back in 1997 as a replacement for the Portuguese Grand Prix.

In 1998, the European Grand Prix was dropped from the schedule, but returned in 1999 when the race at Nürburgring re-adopted the European Grand Prix name.

The 1999 race saw torrential rain conditions which caused numerous retirements, presenting Johnny Herbert with the opportunity to take Stewart Grand Prix's first and only victory in its final season before being sold to Ford.

The race continued to be held at the Nürburgring until 2007. On 29 August 2006 it was announced that it had been removed from the F1 calendar for the 2007 season. From then there would only be one GP hosted in Germany each year, alternating between Hockenheimring and Nürburgring. However, what the name of this Grand Prix would be was uncertain for a time; while originally intended to be the German Grand Prix from 2007,[2] the Nürburgring race of 2007 was renamed "Großer Preis von Europa" (European Grand Prix)[3] due to a dispute over the ownership of the title "German Grand Prix".[4]

Valencia Street Circuit (2008-2012)

From 2008 to 2012 the European Grand Prix took place in Valencia, Spain. During the 2009 event, Valencia signed a deal for a further 5 races, which put Valencia on the calendar until 2014. Despite this, in March 2012, it was announced that the European Grand Prix was to be discontinued in 2013, with the Spanish Grand Prix planned to alternate between Barcelona and Valencia.[5] However, Barcelona has retained the race since 2013, and the Valencia circuit was removed from the calendar.

Baku City Circuit (2016)

The European Grand Prix returned to the Formula One World Championship in 2016, being held on the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan. The race was renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the 2017 season. This means that the European Grand Prix was again discontinued after a one-off in 2016.

Winners of the European Grand Prix

Repeat winners (drivers)

Only includes standalone events.

Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Driver Years won
6 Germany Michael Schumacher 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006
3 Spain Fernando Alonso 2005, 2007, 2012
2 Brazil Rubens Barrichello 2002, 2009
Germany Sebastian Vettel 2010, 2011
Source:[6]

Repeat winners (constructors)

Only includes standalone events.

Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Constructor Years won
7 Italy Ferrari 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012
4 United Kingdom McLaren 1984, 1993, 1997, 2007
3 United Kingdom Williams 1985, 1996, 2003
2 United Kingdom Benetton 1994, 1995
Austria Red Bull 2010, 2011
Source:[6]

Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)

Only includes standalone events.

Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Manufacturer Years won
7 Italy Ferrari 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012
5 France Renault 1995, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2011
4 Germany Mercedes * 1997, 2007, 2009, 2016
3 United States Ford ** 1993, 1994, 1999
2 Germany BMW 1983, 2003
Source:[6]

* Built by Ilmor in 1997

** Built by Cosworth

By year: the European Grand Prix as a standalone event

Baku City Circuit, used in 2016
Valencia Street Circuit, used from 2008 to 2012
Nürburgring GP-Strecke, used in 1984, 1995, 1996 and from 1999 to 2007
Jerez, used in 1994 and 1997
Donington, used in 1993
Brands Hatch, used in 1983 and 1985
A map of all the locations of the European Grand Prix and other Grands Prix designated as the European Grand Prix
Year Driver Constructor Location Report
1983 Brazil Nelson Piquet Brabham-BMW United Kingdom Brands Hatch Report
1984 France Alain Prost McLaren-TAG Germany Nürburgring GP-Strecke Report
1985 United Kingdom Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda United Kingdom Brands Hatch Report
1986

1992
Not held
1993 Brazil Ayrton Senna McLaren-Ford United Kingdom Donington Report
1994 Germany Michael Schumacher Benetton-Ford Spain Jerez Report
1995 Germany Michael Schumacher Benetton-Renault Germany Nürburgring GP-Strecke Report
1996 Canada Jacques Villeneuve Williams-Renault Report
1997 Finland Mika Häkkinen McLaren-Mercedes Spain Jerez Report
1998 Not held
1999 United Kingdom Johnny Herbert Stewart-Ford Germany Nürburgring GP-Strecke Report
2000 Germany Michael Schumacher Ferrari Report
2001 Germany Michael Schumacher Ferrari Report
2002 Brazil Rubens Barrichello Ferrari Report
2003 Germany Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW Report
2004 Germany Michael Schumacher Ferrari Report
2005 Spain Fernando Alonso Renault Report
2006 Germany Michael Schumacher Ferrari Report
2007 Spain Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes Report
2008 Brazil Felipe Massa Ferrari Spain Valencia Report
2009 Brazil Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes Report
2010 Germany Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Report
2011 Germany Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Report
2012 Spain Fernando Alonso Ferrari Report
2013

2015
Not held
2016 Germany Nico Rosberg Mercedes Azerbaijan Baku Report
2017 replaced by Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Source:[6]

By year: the European Grand Prix as an honorary designation

A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.

Year Driver Constructor Designated Grand Prix Location Report
1923 Italy Carlo Salamano Fiat Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Full Circuit Report
1924 Italy Giuseppe Campari Alfa Romeo France French Grand Prix Lyon Report
1925 Italy Antonio Ascari Alfa Romeo Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 15 km circuit Report
1926 France Jules Goux Bugatti Spain San Sebastián Grand Prix Lasarte Report
1927 France Robert Benoist Delage Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Full Circuit Report
1928 Monaco Louis Chiron Bugatti Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Full Circuit Report
1929 Not held
1930 Monaco Louis Chiron Bugatti Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 15 km circuit Report
1931

1946
Not held
1947 France Jean-Pierre Wimille Alfa Romeo Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit Report
1948 Italy Carlo Felice Trossi Alfa Romeo Switzerland Swiss Grand Prix Bremgarten Report
1949 Italy Alberto Ascari Ferrari Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Report
1950 Italy Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo United Kingdom British Grand Prix Silverstone Report
1951 Italy Luigi Fagioli
Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio
Alfa Romeo France French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Report
1952 Italy Alberto Ascari Ferrari Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit Report
1953 Not held
1954 Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes Germany German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife Report
1955 France Maurice Trintignant Ferrari Monaco Monaco Grand Prix Monaco Report
1956 United Kingdom Stirling Moss Maserati Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Full Circuit Report
1957 United Kingdom Tony Brooks
United Kingdom Stirling Moss
Vanwall United Kingdom British Grand Prix Aintree Report
1958 United Kingdom Tony Brooks Vanwall Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit Report
1959 United Kingdom Tony Brooks Ferrari France French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Report
1960 United States Phil Hill Ferrari Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Full Circuit Report
1961 United Kingdom Stirling Moss Lotus-Climax Germany German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife Report
1962 United Kingdom Graham Hill BRM Netherlands Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Report
1963 United Kingdom Graham Hill BRM Monaco Monaco Grand Prix Monaco Report
1964 United Kingdom Jim Clark Lotus-Climax United Kingdom British Grand Prix Brands Hatch Report
1965 United Kingdom Jim Clark Lotus-Climax Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit Report
1966 Australia Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco France French Grand Prix Reims-Gueux Report
1967 United Kingdom John Surtees Honda Italy Italian Grand Prix Monza Report
1968 United Kingdom Jackie Stewart Matra-Ford Germany German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife Report
1969

1971
Not held
1972 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus-Ford United Kingdom British Grand Prix Brands Hatch Report
1973 United Kingdom Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Zolder Report
1974 Switzerland Clay Regazzoni Ferrari Germany German Grand Prix Nürburgring Nordschleife Report
1975 Italy Vittorio Brambilla March-Ford Austria Austrian Grand Prix Österreichring Report
1976 United Kingdom James Hunt McLaren-Ford Netherlands Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort Report
1977 United Kingdom James Hunt McLaren-Ford United Kingdom British Grand Prix Silverstone Report
Source:[7]

References

  1. Daily Mail Grand Prix Racing 1985
  2. Official FIA press release. "2007 FIA Formula One championship circuit and lap information, published on February 14, 2007". Official FIA press release. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  3. "Nürburgring". Official Homepage of the Nürburgring. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
  4. The race held at Nürburgring in 2007 was originally going to be called the German Grand Prix but the title was changed to European Grand Prix due to the dispute over the ownership of the German Grand Prix name. See Autosport: Name row leads to return of European GP
  5. "Valencia pays 2012 fee, Spain to alternate from 2013". MSN Sport. MSN Sport. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "European GP". ChicaneF1. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  7. Higham, Peter (1995). The Guinness Guide to International Motor Racing. London, England: Motorbooks International. pp. 8–88, 197–208. ISBN 978-0-7603-0152-4 via Internet Archive.
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