Why This Formula 1 Track is Abandoned...

Once thriving. Now it ain't. This is the stupid story of this stupid race track.
Photo Credit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alamy
Daimler AG
FORMULA 1
MotoGP
RacingCircuits.info
Ryan Bayona
Merchandise
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.joshrevellstore.com/
Patreon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ joshrevellyt​​​
Social Media
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facebook - / jrevellyoutube
Twitter - / ​​​
Instagram - / thejoshrevell
Discord - / discord
DISCLAIMER: This video is not intended for persons 13 years or under. Special mention to all the original sources of certain clips used in my videos. Please do check out their content for the full videos.
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. There are certain scenes from the Formula 1 calendar where race footage is used. All those rights are property of FOM. Other photos and news elements are used solely for the purpose of assisting the original content illuminate a more in depth story
#f1 #formula1 #europeangp #valencia

[@gavalant366]

This track maybe questionable both in design and location but you cannot deny that seeing Alonso, Kimi and Schumi standing together on the podium will always be iconic.

[@EatsLikeADuck]

Kimi is the most overrated, over-worshipped F1 champion of all time. No contest.

[@verponite17]

​@@EatsLikeADuck no

[@EatsLikeADuck]

@@verponite17 Absolutely. It is a tie between him and Jacques Villeneuve.

[@danijelujcic8644]

@@EatsLikeADuck no

[@chmclips121]

@@EatsLikeADuckAbsolutely not, if he had less car failures in his time at McLaren, he would have been a multiple time world champion. He is one of the best drivers of the 21st century

[@speccyneek]

You know its a good day when Mr Revell uploads

[@username-mf4mu]

Hows it taste

[@ivaneurope]

Valencia Street Circuit is just one of the many circuits left to rot once F1 failed misreably in Bernie's never ending quest to expand to new markets. Just look at the facilities in South Korea and India - barely used for any motorsport events (the Indian one was even turned into temporary COVID-19 medical facility during the pandemic)

[@KingofWolves3277]

but all 3 were good tracks but due to governments / hosts they failed...... don't be surprised with LM a few more end up like these..... ( although korea and India should be brought back)

[@rdspam]

“Quest to expand to new markets” = hunt for money.

[@douglasrvieira]

​@@rdspam yeah, I hope Liberty Media can think less about money and take on consideration if the country has a good track, tradition on motorsports and doesn't violate human rights... OH WAIT

[@asneakychicken322]

@@rdspam you don’t say, that’s literally what it means

[@Zahrul3]

The Korean track is also famous for that FWD drift overtake meme lol

[@NavF1]

That circuit both gave us a race so boring that the DRS was eventually added (2009) and an iconic race where Alonso won from P11 (2012). Great impact for a short-lived venue

[@runnerman1424]

DRS was added in 2011?

[@1989SupraGuyFIN]

@@runnerman1424 DRS was indeed introduced in 2011. KERS, however, was introduced in 2009. And then dropped for 2010 and re-introduced (for most teams, anyways) in 2011.

[@hamfan4449]

@@1989SupraGuyFIN read what he said he said DRS was added in 2011 not 2009 like NavF1 said DRS was added in 2009... so why are you correcting a correct fact? DRS was 2011

[@1989SupraGuyFIN]

@@hamfan4449 Did you see the "indeed" there? Because then you need to read that again.

[@NavF1]

​@@hamfan4449I didn't say that DRS was added in 2009, I said that this race inspired talks for DRS to be implemented as the race had 0 on-track overtakes

[@pet4nmeister]

Fun Fact: In 2010, just one day before Webber had his flying trip to heavens. Josef Král crashed in a similar way and unfortunately wasn't as lucky as Mark. He had 5 cracked discs in his spine, but thankfully returned for the final race in Abu Dhabi later that year and also tested an HRT F1 car in winter testing on the same track.

[@nate567987]

Webber was used to flying at that point he got to do it twice in a mercedes

[@pet4nmeister]

@@nate567987 you're not wrong

[@JTeam45]

In the 2010s F1 games, I actually enjoyed driving this circuit. And the views from above in the helo made it look really cool and colorful.

[@KingofWolves3277]

Agreed

[@gugas1132]

i went there a few weeks ago, its awesome how all the lines are still there, especially in the pit lane

[@chlcrk]

Same here. I visited a few weeks ago. Sector 3 in particular is quite something given it's like this dead space between the famous Ciudad de las Artes and the industrial port/beach area the rest of the track is around

[@OctavianAtrocious]

​@@chlcrk indeed, sector 3 is quite a sad place nowadays, especially the rusty curbs and catchfences. However the track will always be remembered for that great race in 2012.

[@chlcrk]

@@OctavianAtrocious I got that vibe too. S1 seemed to be built around fairly successfully (kudos for the use of a pit or hospitality building as a skate park, which I clocked on a walk around), and S2 is all in the docks but the ghostly empty space of S3, save for a few parked cars and cyclists, was crazy. It's like this prime real estate area near a big landmark on the edge of a major city and... nothing. And even madder that the MotoGP track Josh said at the end was there before it (and was indeed visible from the window of my train into the city from Madrid)

[@iancypes5911]

The Vegas paddock is being built on what was a giant parking lot and a defunct nightclub. No Casinos were harmed in the making of the circuit

[@beltrangarrote1982]

Lol. Thank God

[@nightmare_1337]

Last week I played F1 2012 again and I realized that I didn't recognize a single corner on that track. So I totally get how Brundle was feeling.

[@RACECAR]

Pretty much how it was for me. So many tracks on the calender I could at least name one or two corners, good or bad, that I can remember. Valencia though, I even now after so many laps those years ago (In all three of the Codemasters F1 games it was in) still cannot remember what ANY of those corners where. They just kinda blend altogether in a very visually bland and uninteresting layout.

[@AJLewisOfficial]

As someone from Valencia, it's a shame the circuit didn't work out. The city itself is booming and a great place to come still, just a shame F1 don't race here anymore because it's a nice venue and easy for me to get to for an F1 race 😂

[@alejandrobueno8819]

A pity that they didn’t use Ricardo Tormo

[@SpoopyGamer]

Valencia was such a fun track to drive, such a shame it's not even useable anymore. GT cars would have been pretty good around there

[@maxmustermann4141]

i doubt that. its harder for gt cars to overtake all things considered and this is not a good overtaking circuit...

[@tomasrodrigues7504]

Honestly I think for the City of Valência it wouldn't be profitable. They already have the Ricardo tormo for that effect

[@tjsr]

This is literally the only race/venue which actually remember falling asleep watching not once, not twice, but three years in a row. I remember watching it from the lounge the second year, thinking "didn't I fall asleep watching this last year?", and next thing I know I'm waking up and it's like... lap 43. Third year? Missed the entire podium. Edit: Oh yeah, I found out after the race I'd missed the Webber crash.

[@timmynicolas8729]

Missed quite a big part of the 2012 race . Grosjean was looking at a potential maiden win there closing the gap to Alonso before he too had to retire due to his alternator breaking down . Webber from p20 to P4 on a track where it's so hard to pass was also a big story from Valencia

[@RadityaPramanaPutra2001]

Webber from P19 at the time, mate.

[@VishTheF1Guy]

Kimi, Alonso and Schumi on the podium, Lord Maldonaldo being peak maldonaldo against hamilton, vettel's dnf and the spanish fans, man 2012 was good

[@dancallahan4183]

Still probably smoother than the Detroit IndyCar circuit

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

I live in Michigan. Given the winters here having a race on public roads in this state is not a good idea. Parts of the road I live on look like they've taken heavy artillery fire.

[@jfv2312]

The 2008 Valencia GP was my first experience going to an F1 race and I'll never forget it, really special for me back then. Such a shame that the race itself was absolutely forgettable LMAO

[@TimidSylveon]

Shame no one appreciated that opening... you caught the 2008 blockbuster vibe really well!

[@SamuelSantos_]

If they wanted a Valencia race surely they could've used the Ricardo Tormo circuit? They tested there a bunch in the 2000s so it is a usable track for F1 cars and it would've been a lot easier than building a new street circuit.

[@cthaume5722]

Government at the time needed to build a new circuit just to be able to put the money on hands of their friends.....

[@nate567987]

@@cthaume5722 and f1 needed a track to have grade A for racing in other words tike

[@Darko_Milosevski03]

​@nate567987 and sadly Richardo tormo is grade b license

[@millennialchicken]

Considering the only race I remember being held there was 2012, i'm half glad that it's gone from F1, but at least let other series use it in some way, not let it waste away.

[@damp2269]

probably a problem with profit margin. if F1 couldn't make it cost effective, other series will bring in even less money...

[@rkan2]

Any high profile circuit like Valencia street circuit would be way too pricy. Running and maintaining the bridge alone probably costs more than a whole weekend with marshalls at some more remote track...

[@DjDolHaus86]

"1 good race doesn't make up for the 4 bad ones" * squints at Monaco *

[@francisquito4590]

i have to say that monaco usually has at least a crash going for it

[@ndh06]

Monaco is more of a race for the drivers and teams. Drivers get the prestige of the track, and the teams get a look under each others cars.

[@russellliban76]

Josh.. you should try and explain why the Malaysian GP might not return to the grid

[@HossamHassan-pw3bj]

This was one of my favourite circuits in F1 2011 game. The last sector was so much fun to drive. It's sad seeing the circuit like this but 2012 was a special year where we didn't realise how good a season it was. Had they continued racing there, it would've been a borefest again

[@anthonyrausch5708]

Circuit looks amazing in “f1 2010”……

[@GabrielRodriguez-mc4me]

That 2012 race is the only F1 race I remember watching in full. Turned out to be a lot more unique than it needed to be.

[@stee504]

It might not have been the best track but it'll always have a special place in my heart as my first ever live F1 race in 2008

[@justinm.1]

2012 was definitely the only year that made this circuit look good

[@Garfie489]

Ive often wondered if the circuit could be re used for Formula E? Sure not in its original configuration, but there is plenty of space to do something with.

[@shadowgaming6660]

I say yes in the original config.

[@SiVlog1989]

I always liked the Valencia Street Circuit. Yes, it didn't have much elevation change due to being located by the harbour, and for 4 of the 5 races held there, the races were generally a snooze fest, but the last sector (from turns 17 to 25) was brilliant. Each corner the cars approached before the final hairpin was faster than the previous one and it was a case of threading the eye of the needle. What's more, as mentioned, the pit and paddock buildings were made of the old buildings from the local fish market, this gave the track more of a personality compared to other newer additions to the calendar (cough cough, Miami)

[@jermaineayivoh8263]

When I first saw the title of this video, I thought to myself: ‘What abandoned Valencia F1 circuit ? They never really raced in Valencia just tested there every now and then over the years and the circuit isn’t abandoned because other Motorsport categories race there every year such as Motogp’. Then I realised ‘Oh THAT Valencia F1 circuit!’ I’ve been watching F1 routinely since 1996 and I completely forgot that the Valencia street circuit from 2008-2012 was even a thing at one point in time 😅. Also whatever happened to the Indian and the Korean GP’s ? Just like Valencia they were on the calendar for a handful of years and then vanished without a trace never to be heard of or spoken about ever again (at least among F1 circles).

[@RACECAR]

From what I remember, government and money issues for both (though not to the "Corruption" extent that Valencia had). - With India, it was cancelled for good due to tax disputes between the FIA and the Uttar Pradesh government (Made worse by the then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav stating "F1 is not a sport, but entertainment" and proceeding to levy taxes on the event). This was all in addition to the owners being unable to significantly recover their investments through all three seasons the races were held, and were forced to write off losses worth at least $25.1 million. - With Korea, the Organizers even in 2011 were not satisfied with the terms of the contract (Mostly, the cost of race-sanctioning fees) but Bernie was not willing to listen and even threatened to remove the race from the 2012 calender so things were already not great to begin with. Despite a deal that did decrease the Hosting Fees, it still was seen as too expensive with the provider even expecting $26 million loss prior to the final race in 2013. Buddh International Circuit is set to host its first race this year since 2013 in September with Moto GP (an event it was supposed to get ironically back in 2013, but never materialized) while Korea International Circuit has been hosting its on local Superrace Championship and recently hosted Porsche Carrera Supercup Asia for the first time since 2015 last week.

[@bloodlustaxe1500]

When i was 8 years old i played f1 2012 as a kid and this track was one of my favourites, so this track will always be special for me. I played a lot on this track when i was a kid

[@kurohone]

Valencia's most memorable achievement was turning a stunning harbourside vista into what looked like an industrial park when racing.

[@Peterinho]

I'm heading off to Valencia for my holiday next week. I'll pop down to where the track used to be and try and convince them to bring it back 😁👌

[@BlueflagAlpha]

Good luck

[@Peterinho]

@@BlueflagAlpha Thank you!

[@sofianhassaineyear1177]

Fun fact: Circuit Ricardo Tormo, which as Josh Revell mentioned was nearby, was acc built in 1999 Anyone see the point in the street circuit in 2007 now? They had a track readily available to race on and once again a failed street track with no overtaking, and F1 still haven't learnt their lesson to this day (Singapore, Jeddah, Miami...)

[@illdeletethismusic]

Miami at least has some potential for rebuilds as it"s a parking lot, not an actual street track. I think giving it some elevation change and an actual marina by raising and bridging the canal side straight and digging out the space inside the hairpin could improve it quite a bit already.

[@BadgerOff32]

I miss this track. It was on the old F1 games around that era and I played the hell out of F1 2010. Valencia was always a fun track when playing with a steering wheel and I have fond memories of blasting round there in my V10 Lotus. It certainly wasn't great for racing because it was so damned fast and there just wasn't many good spots for overtaking, but it was great for hotlapping. It had a really nice flow to it and as previously mentioned, it was a proper fast circuit! Once you settled in to a long race and found your rhythm it was exhilarating! You could absolutely fling your car round there at insane speeds and you always felt like you were right on the edge! Great fun! Visually, it was quite bland though. Everywhere looked the same, so you _really_ had to memorize the layout because there were so few visual markers to guide you.

[@IsMaski]

"Generally characterized as being as bland as the food in a scottish restaurant" Josh man, you are such a manus I'm dead 😂

[@qbel4255]

Forgot to mention that 2009 was first win by Barrichello since Ferrari days

[@daninagy4173]

Never mind Alonso, Massa, Button, Vettel, Rosberg or Verstappen; Maldonado was Hamilton's greatest rival. Also, it's so weird that the ALO, RAI, MSC podium only happened twice.

[@hyunji1652]

Schumacer Being mentioned Got me teared up a bit🥲

[@brandensimmons653]

Seeing three legends of formula one will always be special to all racing fans

[@alexlittler9605]

Here was me thinking this was about Sochi 😂

[@SeamlessShelf35]

If F1 decided to race in Valencia again, please let it race at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

[@fadzlul28]

The valencia street circuit was such an insult to the ricardo tomo circuit. That track was miles better man

[@evanroldan9566]

Valencia 2012 is my Favorite Alonso win to date, and from a Ferrari fan, That Race made me Appreciate that Alonso was one of the best drivers in the sport And the Fact that 3 Ferrari Drivers finished on the podium that day with Andrea Stella makes it even more epic

[@TurboWheeler]

This was my favorite track (that wasn't Spa or Monza) on F1 2012. Unfortunately, I didn't start actually watching F1 until 2013 so I missed seeing them race here.

[@ColinUTD]

Actually one of my fav tracks on the games, sadly it's so far down the list of tracks that people want it'll never be brought back.

[@TorqueTestChannel]

Las Vegas watching this video: Hold My Beer

[@rikisakselin5177]

Kovalainen being the '8th fastest driver of all time' is a reference I wasnt expecting but do appreciate greatly.

[@raffaelender9464]

i was on holiday in Valencia last month and i just had to check it out. i was getting so emotional walking over those UBS logo etc😭

[@sIightIybored]

Valencia 2008 has been the only race since 2004 I've not seen. That group used to include Hungary '06, which as a Button fan, ouch. But that's been fixed, no-one seems eager to replay Valencia however.

[@scottmeredith3359]

Leave it to you to answer questions I’ve wondered for years but never spoken out loud. Always wondered what happened here, awesome video as always dude 👌

[@King_Gamer_1st]

Josh throwing hands with Scottish chefs now I see - mon then.

[@ishmann_singh]

Ricardo Tormo looks quite fun to watch in MotoGP. I think it would have been better if it was upgraded to host F1 instead of building a whole new racetrack.

[@MattyT_86]

It;s a bit of a tight and twisty circuit, few overtaking opportunities (and plenty of bravery required then). Ithink it might be a bit too stop/start for F1

[@EmyrDerfel]

​@@MattyT_86the stop/start is perfect for Formula E.

[@Azteca_016]

Not gonna lie, when I saw the title pop up on my phone notification, I immediately thought: “If he talking about Sochi, then yes…”

[@mariostsakiris7976]

I still believe this track deserved a second chance, but after some track layout changes . I think it could have been a better street circuit circuit than what we had recently in f1 even though it s layout would be fitting for the tcr championship or even formula e.

[@Lastname6955]

I've never seen anything more 2008 than that intro

[@lordracer7743]

This track had some memorable moments like webbers flip in 2010 or the podium in 2012 and a race with no overtakes in 2011.

[@cookncrack5334]

ALONSO IS THE GOAT HE DRAGS EVERY BIT OF PERFORMANCE OUT OF ANY car he is in

[@apexxxx10]

*The G O A T why?*

[@WilbanksUSMC]

Absolutely loved Valencia when I visited there. I had NO IDEA there was an F1 circuit there!

[@brad6630]

The whole region was hit hard financially, the football club still has a half finished stadium from almost 15 years ago.

[@scsutton1]

And now we have Valencia 2.0, this time in Spain's capital city Madrid.

[@Wojtgaw]

One of my favorite tracks of all time and I still sometimes drive on it in GTR2

[@ieuanhunt552]

From the thumbnail and the topic I thought this was a Bright Sun Film upload for a second.

[@chioj36]

Excellent content m8💯

[@andersfrost7585]

2012. Last Schumacher Podium.

[@callsigncustard65]

I feel like as a track Valencia had potential to produce some great racing but not for f1 cars

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

Honestly not many tracks provide great racing for F1 cars. I think Formula E would have worked well in Valencia.

[@callsigncustard65]

@@BiggieTrismegistus hundred%

[@kramspeeder3029]

you should do a video on the dakar rally. it never disappoints.

[@selder_7]

11:33 hey, I’m used to that dig being aimed at Britain as a whole and not Scotland…. It’s probably still accurate but still!

[@Racemedia4]

Has anyone thought about how good max would of been around Valencia with the dominance he has right now

[@jeracerx]

Funny you mentioned Maldonado, because he actually was in a Viper in the 2008 GT Open race at this track

[@maxmustermann4141]

not too sad tbh. 2012 was awesome ngl, but thats only true bc of the masterclass of alonso (his best race imo) and schumachers podium (not comparible to his prime, but it made me happy nontheless). not a good track for good racing, as is every track that has not a good balance regarding overtaking...

[@BOABModels]

Woah, shots fired at Scottish food. Haggis is nice, Josh.

[@Utopian_Futures]

Good information, Mr Revell is always a reliable source of information. His performance is consistently good, unlike Ferrari's. Can you maybe upload another video about the situation and future??? of Vietnam Gp? Will there ever be held a race or is it suffering the same fate of as Valencia? Decaying and being forgotten or another chance?

[@AnthonySmith-nn4cr]

Been watching every video you've put out for 2ish years now and this is absolutely one of the best! us eccentric f1 drive to survive babies sure do love the Revell, long live the Revell!

[@gordonritchie9341]

And so say all, well most,Of us!!!!👍

[@minibus9]

nice video, I can't see the Valencia street circuit ever being used again for motorsport, although you never know since the future is the ultamte unknown, it might be a cool place to do filming for a TV show or film though

[@LoganHunter82]

I don't know why, but this track still feels like a fever dream to me.

[@user-ri3is5jr7y]

Man that podium in 2012⋯ I mean of course something like HAM/VET/VER has a combination of a thousand race win but oh boy those three men are my childhood heroes. It was just amazing. Never gonna forget that. On the other hand I almost feel like we shouldn’t be too harsh on any track. When you have something like the RB/VER domination this year… every race can be boring as hell…

[@wharris123184]

Always top notch, Josh!!

[@vutrananh2698]

In Vietnam, we also have an abandoned F1 track in Hanoi. It was in the list for 2020 races but Covid strike and now the investing company (VinGroup) has stop the project so the track was abandoned without been used once. We Vietnamese are sad tho

[@artejaimartin8360]

Perfect way to start the day

[@manuelgrothe608]

12:14 Valencia should host the ABB FIA Formula E World Championships

[@DugChugs]

“Great drivers at a great time… we may not have thought that at the time (cuts to shot of Maldonado)” brilliant lmao

[@TheManmoths]

I’ve driven it (the parts you can access in a Fiat 500 hire car) and it’s got a very creepy vibe these days. Shame it didn’t all work out but there are many in the Bernie era with the same story

[@johngancarcik5682]

8:48 a sight no driver wants to see in their mirror Maldonado with DRS *my heart will go on by celiene dion plays*

[@MrSniperfox29]

I remember one of the races the commentators (who normally try their best to make out that any race is somehow good) actually admitting it was a very dull race

[@snobey]

When we are talking about iconic Valencia moments... Kubica start in 2010.

[@renarsklavins9850]

I think f1 should go back to Valencia but insted lets have a race at Ricardo tormo cause I think racing on that track would be 10 times better than the street circuit and maybe little bit better than Barcelona.

[@Mrcento]

It was one of those strange tracks (Kinda like Buddh in India) that was actually a good, fun track, just generally terrible for racing.... sort of like a test circuit rather than a race track. Think the big issue was F1 cars just didn't work on it to generate good racing, as you mention, 1 good race in 5, yet other formulae, juniors, other series etc didn't have the same kind of issues to anything like the same extent. Likely with a few more years, there'd have been a few tweaks to the layout, corners being re-profiled to help etc, but as it stood, 1 race aside, it wasn't missed.

[@anngo4140]

Hanoi Street Circuit next! Built and not raced on.

[@mrkipling2201]

Have they built the new football ground for Valencia CF yet?? The circuit being abandoned doesn't surprise me at all. Considering the the football team should have moved out of La Mestalla by now.....

[@DAGATHire]

Gotta say i always enjoyed driving on this track in games. Certainly wasnt boring from that point of view. Pity it was a bore fest from the sofa tho.

[@mikoajnierada7857]

Other highlight of 2010's race has to be the overtake from Kubica on Button, just before the bridge, when he almost recreated Hakkinen vs Schumacher (and Zonta) from Spa.

[@scrapwarswither2699]

oh hey i was there like 4 weeks ago. its cool to see like all the markings still being there, and the back bit basically has become a homeless area. weird to imagine racing being there

[@Urlauber]

That Scottish Cuisine Joke was so uncalled for! 😂

[@mikeymike1792]

Hold up Josh, bikes might not be your thing, but I'd thought you might know who Aspar is! He's a damned legend, and his teams continue to produce talent to this day. Watch some damn MotoGP Josh. You'll love it.

[@seph95]

This is like a Disney Defunctland episode.

[@OldStreetDoc]

Valencia was, for whatever reason, the only F1 level track in Spain that I enjoyed. Maybe it was the US broadcast with Steve Matchett & the irrepressible Sir (should be… c’mon ‘King’ Charles) David Hobbs, that did it with their awesome storytelling. The swinging bridge, etc. They certainly painted a nice romantic picture about it with their words. They actually made me a fan of a “Tilke Circuit”… which is harder than some might think.

[@dashappi1313]

I invite you to a Scottish restaurant to show you that all our food isn’t bland 😂

[@CanalAleblasco77]

In a couple of weeks, a couple of friends and me are gonna visit that circuit since we're going to the Dreamhack that is happening on the same weekend

[@robertwilloughby8050]

I'd love you to look at poor old Magny-Cours. Once Paul Ricard was reconstructed, Magny-Cours was dead...... and despite passing problems, didn't deserve to die.

[@TheSurlySoutherner]

You should do a video on the Hanoi circuit Vietnam next! The crazy story behind the track built for F1 that never even held a GP! ;P

[@francisquito4590]

It would be nice to see the circuit be redesigned so overtakes happen more, that way i would be able to go see an F1 race without having to move up to barcelona, but, we still have the most important race in moto GP so i'm happy with that for now