European Grand Prix

Formula One race that began as an honorary title in 1923 and last ran in Baku in 2016.

The European Grand Prix, also called the Grand Prix of Europe, began as an honour bestowed on one of the national Grands Prix of Europe and later became a Formula One round of its own. As a standalone race it was usually staged in a country that already held its own Grand Prix elsewhere in the same season. Over the years it moved between Brands Hatch, the Nürburgring, Donington Park, Jerez, Valencia and finally Baku in Azerbaijan. Its history is closely tied to scheduling gaps, cancelled events and naming disputes, which is why it kept disappearing and returning.

Quick Facts

First honorary race: 1923 Italian Grand Prix, Monza
Last honorary race: 1977 British Grand Prix, Silverstone
First standalone race: 25 September 1983, Brands Hatch
Last race: 2016, Baku City Circuit
Most honorary titles: Italian and Belgian Grands Prix (seven each)

Facts from the source article.

Background

The AIACR, predecessor of the FIA as organiser of motor racing, created the title and first gave it to the 1923 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The French race followed in 1924 and the Belgian one in 1925. The FIA revived the honour after the war with the 1947 Belgian Grand Prix and spread it among several countries, including Monaco in 1963. The final honorary holder was the 1977 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Italian and Belgian races each carried the title seven times. In 1983 a cancelled race near New York City let Brands Hatch stage a standalone European Grand Prix on 25 September 1983.

Did You Know?

The 1952 honorary race, the Belgian Grand Prix, was run to Formula Two rules.
The 2007 Nürburgring race was titled Großer Preis von Europa because of a dispute over the German Grand Prix name.
Rome was first chosen for the 1985 race on a street circuit before it moved to Brands Hatch.
In 2005 Kimi Räikkönen crashed out of the lead on the final lap, handing the win to Fernando Alonso.