European Le Mans Series - Official Tests (Prologue) – Barcelona
Official Tests (Prologue) – Barcelona
Display & Timezone
Display & Timezone
Showing times for Asia/Kolkata
Timezone
Asia - Kolkata
6 - 7 Apr
Completed
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Some session times for ELMS Official Tests (Prologue) – Barcelona 2026 have not yet been finalised, they represent possible times in which each race session could occur. Please check back later for more accurate times.
Where To Watch ELMS
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Eurosport Player Max
Live ELMS coverage across Europe via Eurosport Player Max on the 2026 Barcelona where-to-watch guide.
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Shift TV
Delayed-as-live ELMS coverage in Bulgaria and Greece on the 2026 Barcelona where-to-watch guide.
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GP1
Croatian ELMS broadcaster on the 2026 Barcelona where-to-watch guide.
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Stream ELMS securely from anywhere with NordVPN
Traveling abroad or using public Wi-Fi? Protect your connection and access your usual coverage more securely.
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Upcoming in ELMS
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4 Hours of Le Castellet
1 - 3 May
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4 Hours of Imola
3 - 5 Jul
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4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
21 - 23 Aug
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Upcoming at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
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Catalonia Grand Prix
Moto-3
15 - 17 May
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Catalonia Grand Prix
Moto-2
15 - 17 May
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Catalonia Grand Prix
MotoGP
15 - 17 May
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Spanish Grand Prix
Formula 3
12 - 14 Jun
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Spanish Grand Prix
Formula 2
12 - 14 Jun
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Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
Formula 1
12 - 14 Jun
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Track Info
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - Montmeló, Spain
Permanent road course in Catalonia - clockwise - fast final sector since 2023 chicane removal
When was the track built?
Ground broke in 1989 and the circuit opened in 1991 in time for Spain’s return to a permanent home near Barcelona. The venue quickly became F1’s preferred testing ground thanks to its mix of corner types and prevailing winds, which expose a car’s balance at every speed.
Over the years the layout has been tweaked for safety and racing quality. The most significant modern change came in 2023, when the tight Turn 14-15 chicane was removed and run off was upgraded, bringing back the fast, flowing finish that rewards confidence and aero efficiency.
When was its first race?
The circuit’s first race was the 1991 Spanish Grand Prix, remembered for Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna’s wheel-to-wheel blast down the main straight in damp conditions. Since then it has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix every season, with the event rebranded as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from 2026.
What's the circuit like?
- All-round test: Long, loaded sweepers like Turn 3 and Turn 9 stress the front tyres, while heavy traction zones punish the rears. It is the classic car-balance circuit.
- Fast finish: Without the chicane, the final two rights are high commitment and feed a long pit straight. Dirty air management and tyre temps are critical in traffic.
- DRS and overtakes: Two DRS zones - main straight into Turn 1 and the back straight from Turn 9 to Turn 10 - create the prime passing spots, with undercuts also powerful on warm days.
- Wind sensitive: Crosswinds over the plateau can flip balance from understeer to snap oversteer between sectors, especially through Turns 3, 9 and the final corner.
- Benchmark pace: Official F1 race lap record 1:15.743. Recent poles sit in the low 1:11s with modern cars on a rubbered-in surface.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 (race lap): 1:15.743 - Oscar Piastri, 2025 Spanish GP - current 4.657 km, 14-turn layout.
- FIA Formula 2: 1:27.474 - Clément Novalak, 2023 round.
- FIA Formula 3: 1:31.964 - Pepe Martí, 2023 round.
- ELMS - LMP2 reference: 1:30.174 - Alessio Rovera, 2024 4 Hours of Barcelona.
- MotoGP (Catalan GP): Recent qualifying record in the 1:38.1 range, with race laps typically around 1:40-1:41 on the bike layout.
- GT3/endurance: 24 Hours of Barcelona and GT World Challenge Europe deliver GT3 race laps in the low 1:40s on the GP layout.
Why go?
Big grandstands, excellent sightlines and a coastal-city backdrop make Barcelona a fan favorite. The revamped final sector has improved racing, the paddock village is lively, and the city’s food and beaches are an easy metro ride away.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1-2 (Elf): Classic overtaking zone off the main DRS - great for starts, restarts and undercut battles.
- Turn 3 (Repsol): Long, loaded right where you can see who has front-end grip. Tyre management is on full display here.
- Turn 9 (Campsa) and back straight: Watch flat-out commitment and the DRS run to Turn 10 hairpin for late-brake moves.
- Final corner and main straight: High-speed entry without the chicane and a panoramic view of pit stops and the chequered flag.
Not just F1: Spanish and world series at Barcelona
Catalan MotoGP: Premier bikes on a tailored layout deliver intense slipstreaming and tyre strategy, with grandstands near Turn 10 and the stadium section offering great views.
European Le Mans Series: Prototype and GT fields headline the 4 Hours of Barcelona with multi-class traffic through the high-speed sections.
24 Hours of Barcelona: A GT and touring car enduro staple that packs the paddock with international entries.
GT World Challenge Europe: Sprint and Endurance Cup visits bring deep GT3 grids and factory drivers.
Regional and national: TCR Europe, Spanish F4, FRECA and Porsche Carrera Cup Iberia add stacked support calendars across the year.
Hotels & Accommodation
Official Tests (Prologue) – Barcelona
6 - 7 Apr
Completed
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Some session times for ELMS Official Tests (Prologue) – Barcelona 2026 have not yet been finalised, they represent possible times in which each race session could occur. Please check back later for more accurate times.
Track Info
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - Montmeló, Spain
Permanent road course in Catalonia - clockwise - fast final sector since 2023 chicane removal
When was the track built?
Ground broke in 1989 and the circuit opened in 1991 in time for Spain’s return to a permanent home near Barcelona. The venue quickly became F1’s preferred testing ground thanks to its mix of corner types and prevailing winds, which expose a car’s balance at every speed.
Over the years the layout has been tweaked for safety and racing quality. The most significant modern change came in 2023, when the tight Turn 14-15 chicane was removed and run off was upgraded, bringing back the fast, flowing finish that rewards confidence and aero efficiency.
When was its first race?
The circuit’s first race was the 1991 Spanish Grand Prix, remembered for Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna’s wheel-to-wheel blast down the main straight in damp conditions. Since then it has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix every season, with the event rebranded as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from 2026.
What's the circuit like?
- All-round test: Long, loaded sweepers like Turn 3 and Turn 9 stress the front tyres, while heavy traction zones punish the rears. It is the classic car-balance circuit.
- Fast finish: Without the chicane, the final two rights are high commitment and feed a long pit straight. Dirty air management and tyre temps are critical in traffic.
- DRS and overtakes: Two DRS zones - main straight into Turn 1 and the back straight from Turn 9 to Turn 10 - create the prime passing spots, with undercuts also powerful on warm days.
- Wind sensitive: Crosswinds over the plateau can flip balance from understeer to snap oversteer between sectors, especially through Turns 3, 9 and the final corner.
- Benchmark pace: Official F1 race lap record 1:15.743. Recent poles sit in the low 1:11s with modern cars on a rubbered-in surface.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 (race lap): 1:15.743 - Oscar Piastri, 2025 Spanish GP - current 4.657 km, 14-turn layout.
- FIA Formula 2: 1:27.474 - Clément Novalak, 2023 round.
- FIA Formula 3: 1:31.964 - Pepe Martí, 2023 round.
- ELMS - LMP2 reference: 1:30.174 - Alessio Rovera, 2024 4 Hours of Barcelona.
- MotoGP (Catalan GP): Recent qualifying record in the 1:38.1 range, with race laps typically around 1:40-1:41 on the bike layout.
- GT3/endurance: 24 Hours of Barcelona and GT World Challenge Europe deliver GT3 race laps in the low 1:40s on the GP layout.
Why go?
Big grandstands, excellent sightlines and a coastal-city backdrop make Barcelona a fan favorite. The revamped final sector has improved racing, the paddock village is lively, and the city’s food and beaches are an easy metro ride away.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1-2 (Elf): Classic overtaking zone off the main DRS - great for starts, restarts and undercut battles.
- Turn 3 (Repsol): Long, loaded right where you can see who has front-end grip. Tyre management is on full display here.
- Turn 9 (Campsa) and back straight: Watch flat-out commitment and the DRS run to Turn 10 hairpin for late-brake moves.
- Final corner and main straight: High-speed entry without the chicane and a panoramic view of pit stops and the chequered flag.
Not just F1: Spanish and world series at Barcelona
Catalan MotoGP: Premier bikes on a tailored layout deliver intense slipstreaming and tyre strategy, with grandstands near Turn 10 and the stadium section offering great views.
European Le Mans Series: Prototype and GT fields headline the 4 Hours of Barcelona with multi-class traffic through the high-speed sections.
24 Hours of Barcelona: A GT and touring car enduro staple that packs the paddock with international entries.
GT World Challenge Europe: Sprint and Endurance Cup visits bring deep GT3 grids and factory drivers.
Regional and national: TCR Europe, Spanish F4, FRECA and Porsche Carrera Cup Iberia add stacked support calendars across the year.
