This circuit was built in 1991, after the Spanish Motor federation decided to stop sharing the Spanish Grand Prix between four other tracks.

The 4.627KM circuit is situated just north of Barcelona, with a layout better than other modern tracks, because the designer took into consideration that fans preferred to watch overtaking, rather than a parade. The first corner is a sharp right that requires heavy braking, with a large gravel trap to catch those that get it wrong.

Nigel Mansell won in 1991 in his Williams Renault, after Gerhard Berger's engine blew, and Ayrton Senna chose the wrong tyres for the changing conditions. 1992 saw Mansell winning again, with then rookie, Michael Schumacher taking second. Senna came to grief once more, spinning off into the wall with only a few laps to go.

Alain Prost dominated for Williams in '93, ahead of Senna, and in '94, Damon Hill helped make the team smile again after Ayrton's death, taking the win, with Schumacher second.

Michael Schumacher won in '95, and dominated '96, in very wet conditions, rising from sixth to the lead by lap 12, and '97 saw Jacques Villeneuve winning for Williams. Mika Hakkinen took the win here three years in succession, '98 and '99 and 2000 with Michael Schumacher victorious for Ferrari in 2001 and 2002.

Michael Schumacher continued his Spanish dominance in 2003 as he took the victory ahead of local hero Fernando Alonso in 2003 and ahead of team-mate Barrichello in a crushing one-two result in 2004.

For 2005, the circuit underwent a few safety modifications but significantly was completely resurfaced for the first time since the circuit opened. Kimi Raikkonen dominated the event in his McLaren Mercedes, taking the chequered flag nearly half a minute clear of Alonso.