New circuit for Tenerife

Tenerife is set to have its first permanent racetrack and project chiefs hope it will be operational by 2016.

The Spanish island hosted street races in Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz during the 1960s and is nowadays home to rallies and hillclimb events. The new venture was confirmed at London’s Royal Automobile Club on November 4, in the presence of Carlos Alonso, Tenerife’s president.

The 2.5-mile circuit will have up to nine possible configurations and will be built to FIA standards. “We have no plans to bid for a Grand Prix,” said Minister for Commerce Eduardo Pintado, “because we don’t have that kind of money – just look at what happened in Valencia. But we have a very favourable climate and would welcome F1 teams if they want to come here for winter testing.”

A major historic festival is likely to feature in the circuit’s future plans. SA