In 1923 the first Great automobile Prize of Spain in the permanent Sitges Terramar circuit was run near Barcelona.

In 1932 a race was held on a street circuit with the start in the Montjuïc Park, wooded parkland on a hill above the city's harbour.

The variable character of the anticlockwise course (with one half slow and the other very fast) made setting the cars up correctly a challenge.

Many drivers felt that the circuit was unsafe, and two time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi withdrew in protest before the start of the race.

Signalling the return of Formula One cars to Montjuïc, Emerson Fittipaldi (re-)appeared in his Lotus 72, and Marc Gené drove a contemporary Ferrari.