European Grand Prix

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 Template:F1 to Template:F1, except in Template:F1. 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 Template:F1). The race returned as a one-off in Template:F1, being held on a street circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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. The European Grand Prix (held on 25 September 1983) was F1's second visit of 1983 to the Brands Hatch circuit as the venue had held the Race of Champions non-championship race on 10 April earlier that same 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, Originally the 1985 European Grand Prix was going to be held in Rome on a street circuit around the EUR<ref>Daily Mail Grand Prix Racing 1985</ref> but was moved to Brands Hatch.

Cancelled race Jarama (1986)

There was an attempt to stage the European Grand Prix in 1986 with an early version of the calendar publishing Jarama as the host track but these plans fell through.

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 (Cancelled 1992 race, 1994, 1997)

The Circuito de Jerez in Jerez de la Frontera in Spain was intended to be host of the European Grand Prix in 1992 but this was cancelled. However, Jerez would eventually host the event two years later as round 14 of 16 in 1994 and the season finale in 1997 where it served as replacement for the cancelled Portuguese Grand Prix after the Estoril Circuit was unable to guarantee the completion of circuit safety renovations in time to host a race. The 1997 Jerez race 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 due to the Kent Circuit being obligated to host the British Grand Prix that year, 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 with Jerez dropping off the schedule and the Nürburgring race retaining the Luxembourg Grand Prix moniker for that year, 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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Nürburgring race of 2007 was renamed "Großer Preis von Europa" (European Grand Prix)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> due to a dispute over the ownership of the title "German Grand Prix".<ref>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</ref>

Valencia Street Circuit (2008–2012)

From Template:F1 to Template:F1 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.Template:Citation needed 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.<ref name="Spanish GP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Failed verification 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 Template:F1, being held on the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan. The race was renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the Template:F1 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	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006
3	Template:Flagicon Fernando Alonso	2005, 2007, 2012
2	Template:Flagicon Rubens Barrichello	2002, 2009
	Template:Flagicon Sebastian Vettel	2010, 2011
Source:<ref name="F1EUR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation			CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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	Template:Flagicon Ferrari	2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012
4	Template:Flagicon McLaren	1984, 1993, 1997, 2007
3	Template:Flagicon Williams	1985, 1996, 2003
2	Template:Flagicon Benetton	1994, 1995
	Template:Flagicon Red Bull	2010, 2011
Source:<ref name="F1EUR" />

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	Template:Flagicon Ferrari	2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012
5	Template:Flagicon Renault	1995, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2011
4	Template:Flagicon Mercedes *	1997, 2007, 2009, 2016
3	Template:Flagicon Ford **	1993, 1994, 1999
2	Template:Flagicon BMW	1983, 2003
Source:<ref name="F1EUR" />

* Built by Ilmor in 1997

** Built by Cosworth

By year: the European Grand Prix as a standalone event

File:Baku Formula One circuit map.svg

Baku City Circuit, used in 2016

File:Circuit Valensia street.svg

Valencia Street Circuit, used from 2008 to 2012

File:Nürburgring - Grand-Prix Stecke.svg

Nürburgring GP-Strecke, used in 1984, 1995, 1996 and from 1999 to 2007

File:Jerez Grand prix Circuit 1994-2003.svg

Jerez, used in 1994 and 1997

File:Donington as of 2006.svg

Donington, used in 1993

File:Brands Hatch 1976-1987.svg

Brands Hatch, used in 1983 and 1985

File:European GP map.png

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
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Nelson Piquet	Brabham-BMW	Template:Flagicon Brands Hatch	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Alain Prost	McLaren-TAG	Template:Flagicon Nürburgring GP-Strecke	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Nigel Mansell	Williams-Honda	Template:Flagicon Brands Hatch	Report
1986 – 1992	Not held
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Ayrton Senna	McLaren-Ford	Template:Flagicon Donington	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	Benetton-Ford	Template:Flagicon Jerez	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	Benetton-Renault	Template:Flagicon Nürburgring GP-Strecke	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Jacques Villeneuve	Williams-Renault		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Mika Häkkinen	McLaren-Mercedes	Template:Flagicon Jerez	Report
1998	Not held
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Johnny Herbert	Stewart-Ford	Template:Flagicon Nürburgring GP-Strecke	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	Ferrari		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	Ferrari		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Ralf Schumacher	Williams-BMW		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	Ferrari		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Fernando Alonso	Renault		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Michael Schumacher	Ferrari		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Fernando Alonso	McLaren-Mercedes		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Felipe Massa	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon Valencia	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Rubens Barrichello	Brawn-Mercedes		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull-Renault		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull-Renault		Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Fernando Alonso	Ferrari		Report
2013 – 2015	Not held
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Nico Rosberg	Mercedes	Template:Flagicon Baku	Report
Source:<ref name=F1EUR/>

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	Template:Flagicon Carlo Salamano	Fiat	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza Full Circuit	Report
1924	Template:Flagicon Giuseppe Campari	Alfa Romeo	Template:Flagicon French Grand Prix	Lyon	Report
1925	Template:Flagicon Antonio Ascari	Alfa Romeo	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps 15 km circuit	Report
1926	Template:Flagicon Jules Goux	Bugatti	Template:Flagicon San Sebastián Grand Prix	Lasarte	Report
1927	Template:Flagicon Robert Benoist	Delage	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza Full Circuit	Report
1928	Template:Flagicon Louis Chiron	Bugatti	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza Full Circuit	Report
1929	Not held
1930	Template:Flagicon Louis Chiron	Bugatti	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps 15 km circuit	Report
1931 – 1946	Not held
1947	Template:Flagicon Jean-Pierre Wimille	Alfa Romeo	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit	Report
1948	Template:Flagicon Carlo Felice Trossi	Alfa Romeo	Template:Flagicon Swiss Grand Prix	Bremgarten	Report
1949	Template:Flagicon Alberto Ascari	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Giuseppe Farina	Alfa Romeo	Template:Flagicon British Grand Prix	Silverstone	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Luigi Fagioli Template:Flagicon Juan Manuel Fangio	Alfa Romeo	Template:Flagicon French Grand Prix	Reims-Gueux	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Alberto Ascari	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit	Report
1953	Not held
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Juan Manuel Fangio	Mercedes	Template:Flagicon German Grand Prix	Nürburgring Nordschleife	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Maurice Trintignant	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon Monaco Grand Prix	Monaco	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Stirling Moss	Maserati	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza Full Circuit	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Tony Brooks Template:Flagicon Stirling Moss	Vanwall	Template:Flagicon British Grand Prix	Aintree	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Tony Brooks	Vanwall	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Tony Brooks	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon French Grand Prix	Reims-Gueux	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Phil Hill	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza Full Circuit	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Stirling Moss	Lotus-Climax	Template:Flagicon German Grand Prix	Nürburgring Nordschleife	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Graham Hill	BRM	Template:Flagicon Dutch Grand Prix	Zandvoort	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Graham Hill	BRM	Template:Flagicon Monaco Grand Prix	Monaco	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Jim Clark	Lotus-Climax	Template:Flagicon British Grand Prix	Brands Hatch	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Jim Clark	Lotus-Climax	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Spa-Francorchamps 14 km circuit	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Jack Brabham	Brabham-Repco	Template:Flagicon French Grand Prix	Reims-Gueux	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon John Surtees	Honda	Template:Flagicon Italian Grand Prix	Monza	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Jackie Stewart	Matra-Ford	Template:Flagicon German Grand Prix	Nürburgring Nordschleife	Report
1969 – 1971	Not held
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Emerson Fittipaldi	Lotus-Ford	Template:Flagicon British Grand Prix	Brands Hatch	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell-Ford	Template:Flagicon Belgian Grand Prix	Zolder	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Clay Regazzoni	Ferrari	Template:Flagicon German Grand Prix	Nürburgring Nordschleife	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon Vittorio Brambilla	March-Ford	Template:Flagicon Austrian Grand Prix	Österreichring	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon James Hunt	McLaren-Ford	Template:Flagicon Dutch Grand Prix	Zandvoort	Report
Template:F1	Template:Flagicon James Hunt	McLaren-Ford	Template:Flagicon British Grand Prix	Silverstone	Report
Source:<ref name="guinness">Template:Cite book</ref>

External links

• Formula 1 European Grand Prix in Valencia Official website.
• Nürburgring F1 statistics