Polonez Gate – Odrowąż

When was the track built?

The project for a seven-kilometer circuit, part of a complex that included a technology park for research and development, a hotel, spa and recreation center, but also a housing estate of detached houses, was approved in the late 2010s and everything seemed to proceed fast as investors were expecting construction to start in 2019, with the first fans to come to Odrowąż in 2020.
Unfortunately, due to the long period of two years needed to transform the land for investment purposes, investors in the country first slowed down and then abandoned the project.
Thankfully, with the new F1 organization rules that will help in making operations and investments more profitable, the project will get a boost so it will be ready to be added to the Circuit Database.

When was its first Grand Prix?

It will be the first race ever on this circuit.
It will rotate with other three circuits for the Polish spot in the F1 European Series calendar.

What’s the circuit like?

Designed by a pool of experts, it has almost everything that a racetrack can offer, thanks also to its length.
Straights and overtaking spots, challenging and twisty sections, chicanes and hairpins as it can be expected in a 41-corners circuit.
A tricky first braking zone at T1-2 is followed by a steep uphill near the lake section; a long downhill straight brings to Sector 2, with four straights connected by hairpins all designed in different ways.
Another super-long straight leads to the “crazy esses” section, T20 to T27, almost impossible to nail every lap.
In the final sector the fast chicane T32-33 and the ultra-tight slow double hairpin T38-39 are the most notable parts.
Outstanding facilities for staff and fans are a bonus, as well.

Where is it located?

In Odrowąż, 30km north of Kielce and halfway between Krakow (to the south) and Warsaw (north), at around 200km. (+ 51°07’04”, + 20°39’39”)