This year, Formula 1 drivers will traverse 24 circuits across all continents, with the exception of Africa. In our ‘Forgotten Circuits’ series, we take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some of the forgotten Formula 1 circuits. Today, as we gear up for the Spanish Grand Prix, we spotlight Barcelona Pedralbles, where races once thundered down the Avinguda Diagonal.
After a 45-year hiatus, Formula 1 will return to Madrid in 2026, bidding farewell to Barcelona for the time being. Since 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, near Barcelona. This was the track where Max Verstappen won his very first Formula 1 race in 2016. However, another part of Barcelona also played a significant role in Formula 1 history – Pedralbes, a suburb of Barcelona, to be precise.
Chances are, if you’ve ever visited Barcelona for a city break and driven down the long Avenida Diagonal, you probably didn’t realize that this was the start/finish line for an official Formula 1 race in the 1950s.
Back in the 1950s, the street was known as Avenida del Generalisimo Franco, named after the Spanish dictator. The circuit ran along a section of the Avinguda Diagonal, past the former royal palace of Pedralbes, and then along the Parc de Cervantes, where the hairpin turn of corner 1 once twisted around.
Fangio’s First World Championship Victory
In 1951, Juan Manuel Fangio claimed his first Formula 1 World Championship title by winning the Pedralbes street race in his Alfa Romeo. The inaugural Formula 1 race, which did not count towards the World Championship, had taken place on the same circuit a year earlier and was won by the equally legendary Alberto Ascari (Ferrari).
The circuit, measuring 6.316 kilometers, was known for its high speed, making it the fastest street circuit of its time. The circuit featured six turns and a straight stretch at the start/finish line approximately two kilometers long. Speeds of around 280 kilometers per hour were achieved on this section.
The Spanish GP in Pedralbes has a brief history. The race was cancelled for financial reasons in 1952 and 1953. In 1954, the circuit was back on the calendar, and the race was won by British driver Mike Hawthorn in his Ferrari.
No More Races in Pedralbes After 1954
After 1954, the Pedralbes race was discontinued. Following a severe accident during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which resulted in the deaths of over eighty spectators, many races worldwide were cancelled, including the Spanish GP. In response to the events in Le Mans, safety requirements were significantly tightened, marking the end for the Pedralbes street circuit, which was never used again. Formula 1 returned to Barcelona in 1969, this time to the Montjuic circuit.
Today, Pedralbes is one of the most affluent parts of the city. Most of the circuit still exists, but it is difficult to recognize due to changes over time. However, it could make for an interesting scavenger hunt for F1 enthusiasts…
