European GP: Excitement Ahead for Valencia’s Urban Race!

Located on the Valencia Marina, the European Grand Prix circuit is one of the attractions of the calendar. Surrounded by concrete walls, this circuit has nearly 25 turns, making it a true challenge for drivers and engineers. It combines low and medium-speed corners while being wide enough to offer multiple overtaking zones. A good top speed and good braking stability are crucial, as well as a high level of mechanical grip to perform well throughout the entire lap.

Aerodynamics

The design of the track requires a medium level of downforce, similar to that used in Shanghai and Bahrain. This configuration is possible because the circuit does not feature very fast corners and demands good top speed, essential for the long straight.

Fernando Alonso explains: « The most interesting section is the one that starts at turn number 17 and extends to turn number 25. We are practically flat out from the exit of turn 17 all the way to the last turn. Turn 25 is relatively difficult to negotiate because it is very slow, but we approach it at over 300 km/h. Therefore, it is necessary to brake at the passage of turn 24, and it is easy to lock a wheel or make a mistake. »

Brakes

The circuit is particularly demanding on the brakes, like the one in Bahrain. There are several heavy braking zones at over 300 km/h, such as turns 12 and 17, corners negotiated in second gear that will be a real challenge for the single-seater braking system. Cooling the discs and pads will require special attention, and teams will opt for relatively large ducts, as in Bahrain.

Clarification

The drivers will need a responsive and well-balanced car to negotiate the numerous direction changes on this track. But as always, it will be about finding the best compromise between a stiff suspension for the fast zones and a sufficiently soft suspension to optimize traction out of slow corners. Good braking stability will be essential, particularly at the end of the straight, to avoid wheel lock-ups that could have serious consequences due to the proximity of the walls and the limited size of the runoff areas.

Fernando Alonso adds: « Overtaking is always difficult on street circuits, and Valencia is no exception. Turn 12, at the end of the long straight, is probably the best place to make an overtake because it’s the biggest braking area on the circuit. We have a fairly wide runoff area available in case we go a bit wide in the turn. »

Tires

Bridgestone will provide soft and extra-soft tires to the teams for this eleventh round of the world championship. This was already the case in Monaco and Hungary. This tire choice is possible because the asphalt is not particularly abrasive. This range should offer a better level of grip, especially since the surface will likely be very slippery at the start of the weekend. But as with any street circuit, the track will evolve significantly as the sessions progress and will become rubbered in. The wear level of the rear tires will need to be closely monitored because they are under severe stress coming out of slow corners, where the demand for traction is high.

Engine

Straight lines, medium-speed chicanes, and hairpins make Valencia a circuit where the engine will be used in an on-off mode. With 60% of the lap spent at full throttle, which is slightly below the championship average, this track should not be too demanding on the engine block. Since there’s no real power peak required, the key to a good lap time will lie in the smooth delivery of torque and the acceleration out of slow corners, which lead into the long straights. A well-balanced car will help limit understeering in the winding sections and allow drivers to accelerate early, which will be effective on the stopwatch.

According to a statement from Renault F1 Team