Located in the renowned Franciacorta wine region of Lombardy, Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta—formerly known as Autodromo di Franciacorta—is one of Europe’s most advanced manufacturer-owned driving facilities. Combining a permanent racing circuit with dedicated handling courses, low-friction areas, off-road tracks, simulators and customer facilities, it serves both as an active motorsport venue and as Porsche’s flagship experience centre in Italy.
Unlike Italy’s historic Grand Prix venues, Franciacorta has developed as a contemporary motorsport complex capable of adapting to a wide variety of disciplines. Today it is recognised as one of Italy’s busiest circuits, welcoming everyone from professional racing teams and manufacturers to enthusiasts experiencing a race circuit for the first time.
In Brief
- The circuit originally opened in 1965 as Autodromo di Brescia.
- It was extensively redeveloped before reopening as Autodromo di Franciacorta.
- Multiple circuit layouts allow the venue to host a wide variety of motorsport disciplines and training activities.
- The circuit is located in Italy’s internationally renowned Franciacorta wine region.
- Manufacturer testing, media launches and driving experiences occupy much of the circuit’s annual calendar.
History
The circuit originally opened in 1965 under the name Autodromo di Brescia, reflecting the province’s long association with Italian motorsport and the nearby Mille Miglia.
After periods of changing ownership and varying levels of activity, the venue underwent an extensive redevelopment during the first decade of the twenty-first century. The circuit was modernised, expanded and ultimately reopened as Autodromo di Franciacorta, offering substantially improved safety standards, facilities and track configurations.
Since its redevelopment, the venue has steadily expanded its role within Italian motorsport, hosting national championships, international motorcycle racing, GT competitions, manufacturer events and countless testing and training activities.
In November 2019, Porsche acquired the circuit as the location for its first Porsche Experience Center in Italy. Rather than replacing the existing racetrack, the company integrated it into a much larger complex dedicated to customer experiences, driver training, vehicle delivery and motorsport activities.
Circuit Design
Autodromo di Franciacorta measures 2.52 kilometres in its principal racing configuration, although multiple layouts allow organisers to tailor the circuit for different categories and training programmes.
The circuit combines technical slow-speed corners with medium-speed flowing sections and several significant braking zones. Frequent changes of direction require drivers to maintain rhythm while carefully balancing entry speed against traction on corner exit.
Its relatively compact dimensions place a premium on consistency, while modern safety features—including generous run-off areas and contemporary barrier systems—make the venue particularly suitable for driver coaching, manufacturer development and club competition.
The flexibility of its various configurations has become one of Franciacorta’s defining characteristics.
LENGTH
2.519
kilometres
WIDTH
12
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
13
5 left – 8 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
6.8
metres
OPENED
2006
20 years ago
Autodromo di Franciacorta is defined by a compact and technical layout where relatively short straights connect frequent braking zones and closely linked corners. Rather than depending on outright speed, the circuit rewards accurate positioning, mechanical grip and the ability to establish a consistent rhythm through sections where one corner frequently determines the approach to the next.
The opening sector immediately places emphasis on braking stability and traction, before the lap develops through combinations of slow and medium-speed corners that require disciplined inputs and careful use of the available track. Through the middle section, repeated direction changes test chassis balance and reward drivers who preserve momentum rather than attacking individual corners too aggressively. The final part of the lap again places emphasis on clean exits, where effective power delivery is essential for carrying speed back towards the main straight.
Although Franciacorta lacks the internationally recognised signature corners of Italy’s Grand Prix circuits, its challenge comes from linking a dense technical sequence into one uninterrupted lap. Drivers who remain precise, minimise unnecessary steering corrections and prioritise traction are generally rewarded, characteristics that also make the circuit particularly effective for training and vehicle development.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | T1 Right |
| 2 | T2 Right |
| 3 | T3 Right |
| 4 | T4 Left |
| 5 | T5 Left |
| 6 | T6 Right |
| 7 | T7 Right |
| 8 | T8 Left |
| 9 | T9 Left |
| 10 | T10 Right |
| 11 | T11 Right |
| 12 | T12 Right |
| 13 | T13 Left |
Autodromo di Franciacorta played an important role in the motorsport landscape of northern Italy as a venue for club racing, motorcycle competition, track days, driver training and manufacturer activities. Located in Lombardy between Brescia and the Franciacorta wine region, the circuit provided an accessible permanent facility within one of Italy’s most important automotive and industrial regions.
Its compact technical configuration made Franciacorta particularly suitable for driver development and vehicle evaluation, alongside national and regional competition. Rather than building its reputation around a major international championship, the circuit became valuable through frequent use by enthusiasts, racing schools, manufacturers and specialist organisations, representing the active grassroots level of Italian circuit culture.
The venue entered a fundamentally different chapter after its acquisition by Porsche Italia in 2019. The former racing circuit was extensively redeveloped and reopened in 2021 as the Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta, transforming the site from a conventional independent autodrome into Porsche’s first Experience Center in Italy and one of the brand’s specialised international driving facilities.
Its motorsport significance therefore extends beyond its former racing calendar. Franciacorta represents the evolution of a traditional regional circuit into a modern manufacturer experience and training centre, preserving the site’s connection with performance driving while giving it a new role within Italy’s automotive landscape.
Visitor Experience
Visitors to Franciacorta experience a modern and welcoming circuit where racing, testing and driver education coexist throughout the year. The compact layout provides excellent visibility across multiple sections of the circuit, while paddock access allows enthusiasts to observe competitors and machinery at close range.
Its location within one of Italy’s most celebrated wine-producing regions also offers opportunities to combine motorsport with gastronomy, vineyards and cultural tourism.
Rather than simply watching racing, visitors can now:
- Experience Porsche driving programmes
- Drive multiple Porsche models on dedicated training circuits
- Participate in advanced driver coaching
- Explore the simulator laboratory
- Experience off-road driving
- Attend Porsche festivals
- Take delivery of a new Porsche
- Visit the restaurant overlooking the circuit
That makes Franciacorta far more than a race circuit.
Location
Autodromo di Franciacorta is located near Castrezzato in the province of Brescia, approximately 35 kilometres west of Brescia and 80 kilometres east of Milan.
The circuit enjoys excellent motorway connections and lies within easy reach of Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Museo Mille Miglia and the celebrated vineyards of the Franciacorta region.
Address
Autodromo di Franciacorta
25030 Castrezzato
Provincia di Brescia, Lombardia
Italy
Website