Video: abandoned Formula 1 Valencia Street Circuit (used from 2008 until 2012). Valencia last held a Grand Prix in 2012.

The Valencia Street Circuit held five races in the Formula 1 World Championship before the track was abandoned. In the video below, we can see what it looks like now.

The European Grand Prix was held at the Valencia Street Circuit from 2008 until 2012. The Formula 1 circuit used public roads near the Port of Valencia and a purpose built section nearby. After the last race, the track was abandoned with the purpose built section remaining as it had been and evidence of the race still throughout the port area including the abandoned pit building which had originally been created from a repurposed warehouse.

Interest in Formula 1 grew in Spain as a result of Fernando Alonso winning the world championship. There was already a Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona but there was keen interest for a second race. Valencia was the chosen location for what would become the European Grand Prix.

The first Formula 1 race at the Valencia Street Circuit took place in 2008 and was won by Felipe Massa. The track took in the city’s harbour and America’s Cup port area including the swing bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava. It also passes by the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Valencia’s City of Arts & Sciences).

The Valencia Street Circuit was criticised for the lack of passing opportunities and as the financial crisis took hold in Spain, Formula 1’s popularity in the country waned. The last European Grand Prix in Valencia was held in 2012. The abandoned Formula 1 track can be accessed through broken fences around the track and the site is popular with urban explorers and Formula 1 fans alike.

— see video above —