Ta’Qali Street Circuit – Birkirkara

When was the track built?

The upland of Ta’Qali, used in the past as an RAF military base, and now location of parks, commercial buildings and of the National team football stadium, was explored for Champ Car circuit in 2006, which never even become a project draft.
As the new Formula One aims at visiting the biggest possible number of countries, there are was re-explored as one of the most suitable in the small island for a FIA Grade-1 circuit.
The street track, designed by me, will use re-surfaced public roads connected by small bits through the stadium car park and the former air strip where the final corners, main straight, pit facilities and the 360 degrees observation tower will be permanently placed.

When was its first Grand Prix?

It will host the first ever F1 GP in the country.
It will rotate with Monaco for the 7^th spot of the European Continental Series.

What’s the circuit like?

It is the perfect candidate to alternate with Monaco: they’re similar in concept, with narrow public roads and very close barriers, which require drivers to be absolute precise at every moment. The smaller mistake leads to a crash. The biggest difference is the permanent bit, slightly wider, which offers more serious overtaking opportunities in Turns 1 and 2 that develops around the massive viewpoint offered by the tower. Turn 17 can also be another opportunity for a brave lunge.
Particularly challenging is the long Turn 9, which sits on a hump.

Where is it located? In Ta’Qali, west of Birkirkara and the capital Valletta, with its airport around 10km away . (+ 35°53’51”, + 14°25’04”)