After the sweeping open course they faced in Doha Bay at the season-opener in Qatar, teams now start to prepare for arguably the most spectacular, challenging and demanding course on the Class 1 calendar – Arendal.

The stunning and picturesque town of Arendal, with its population of 40,000 inhabitants, is tucked away and hidden amongst the majestic fjords of the south coast of Norway.  Because the town was built on seven tiny islands with a surrounding network of canals, it was originally called the Venice of Scandinavia.

The Norwegian Grand Prix is one of the biggest events in the country's sporting calendar, drawing crowds of 150,000 over the race weekend and provides a stern and daunting test for drivers and throttlemen.

Run inside the narrow fjord and breathtakingly close to the shore and the numerous islands and rocky outcrops, the course is fast, narrow and unforgiving and where split-second timing and nerves of steel are essential. 

But as well as providing the ultimate challenge to racers, the town has much to offer the tens of thousands of visitors who flood into Arendal for the race weekend.  And whilst the main attraction is the Grand Prix visitors can enjoy the delights of the many harbour-side bars, restaurants and nightclubs that surround the picturesque harbour area - the Pollen.