F1 Spanish Grand Prix preview: Previous winners, fastest lap, track layout, history and more

Nathan Evans

F1 Spanish Grand Prix preview: Previous winners, fastest lap, track layout, history and more image

Formula One returns to the Iberian peninsula with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso eyeing up another famous victory at his home track in 2023. 

The 41-year-old veteran has been in scintillating form so far this season with his new team, taking five podium finishes across six races and he'll be hoping to add to his prior victories at Circuit de Catalunya in both 2006 and 2013 when the action gets going this weekend. 

From circuit stats to previous results, The Sporting News tells you everything you need to know about the Spanish Grand Prix and its illustrious history.

MORE: F1 Spanish Grand Prix predictions, odds, betting tips, best bets for 2023 race

Circuit de Catalunya circuit facts and layout

  • First Grand Prix hosted: 1951 (hosted since 1913 but not as part of F1)
  • Numbers of laps: 66
  • Circuit length: 4.657km
  • Total race distance: 307.236km
carlos-sainz-ferrari-spanish-gp
Ferrari

MORE: 2023 season calendar, list of circuits, fastest ever lap times and more

Five interesting facts about the Spanish Grand Prix

  • Lella Lombardi is the only woman to have scored a top-six finish in an F1 race throughout history. She recorded half a point for finishing P6 during the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix on the Montjuïc circuit in Barcelona.
     
  • Back in 2012, Williams driver Pastor Maldonado shocked the F1 world and took his only ever victory during that year's Spanish Grand Prix. 
     
  • At 18 years and 228 days years of age, Max Verstappen became the youngest ever winner of a F1 Grand Prix at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
     
  • Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona also hosts a round of the MotoGP championship.
     
  • The 2023 Spanish Grand Prix will be the first since 2006 to see the final chicane removed from the track layout. The move has been made to improve racing much to the relief of fans and some drivers with Lewis Hamilton stating; “I never liked it”.

List of previous winners of the Spanish Grand Prix

Below is a full list of winners at the Spanish Grand Prix from when the race has been a part of the Formula One calendar. It has hosted races since 1913 overall during its history.

Year Winner Constructor of winner
1951 Juan Manuel Fangio Alfa Romeo
1954 Mike Hawthorn Ferrari
1968 Graham Hill Lotus-Ford
1969 Jackie Stewart Matra-Ford
1970 Jackie Stewart March-Ford
1971 Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford
1972 Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus-Ford
1973 Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus-Ford
1974 Niki Lauda Ferrari
1975 Jochen Mass McLaren
1976 James Hunt McLaren
1977 Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford
1978 Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford
1979 Patrick Depailler Ligier-Ford
1981 Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari
1986 Ayrton Senna McLaren
1987 Nigel Mansell Williams
1988 Alain Prost McLaren
1989 Ayrton Senna McLaren
1990 Alain Prost Ferrari
1991 Nigel Mansell Williams
1992 Nigel Mansell Williams
1993 Alain Prost Williams
1994 Damon Hill Williams
1995 Michael Schumacher Benetton
1996 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
1997 Jacques Villeneuve Williams
1998 Mika Häkkinen McLaren
1999 Mika Häkkinen McLaren
2000 Mika Häkkinen McLaren
2001 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2003 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari
2005 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2007 Felipe Massa Ferrari
2008 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren
2009 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes
2010 Mark Webber Red Bull
2011 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
2012 Pastor Maldonado Williams
2013 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
2014 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2015 Nico Rosberg Mercedes
2016 Max Verstappen Red Bull
2017 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2018 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2019 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2020 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2021 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2022 Max Verstappen Red Bull

Nathan Evans

Nathan Evans Photo

A Sports Journalism Masters graduate, Nathan Evans joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working at Opta/Stats Perform for six years. He's an avid fan of Bradford City, FC Köln and the Pittsburgh Penguins.