European Grand Prix

The European Grand Prix is a separate Formula One event that was first held during the mid-1980s and has been held regularly since 1993. In earlier seasons in Formula One one of the national Grands Prix was also designated as the European Grand Prix. For example in 1964 the first British Grand Prix held at the Brands Hatch circuit was so designated. This entry refers only to those European Grand Prix which were separate world championship events.

First Incarnation

The event was initially created as stopgap. In 1983, the Formula One schedule originally featured a race near Flushing Meadows Park in New York. 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.

Related Topics:
1983 - Flushing Meadows Park - New York - Brands Hatch - European

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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. It was a far cry from the 14 mile Nürburgring that most were used to seeing, and was initially unpopular during Formula One's return. Brands Hatch returned to host the European Grand Prix in 1985, but the race was replaced in 1986 by the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Related Topics:
British Grand Prix - Silverstone - Nürburgring - Hungarian Grand Prix

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