Autodromo di Franciacorta (Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta)
Autodromo di Franciacorta (Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta) at a glance
- Location
- Castrezzato, Lombardy
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 2.519 km (1.565 mi)
- Turns
- 13
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 2006
- Owner
- Porsche AG, since 2019/2021
- Address
- Località Bargnana
- Phone
- +39 030 8563150
- Website
- porsche-franciacorta.it
Track map and layout
Franciacorta is a compact, technical handling circuit rather than a grand prix venue, built to give drivers a demanding mix of fast sweeps and tight, low-speed corners inside a relatively small footprint in the Brescia countryside. Since Porsche's takeover the track has been reworked into the centrepiece of a wider driving-experience campus, used mainly for guided high-performance driving, Porsche's own model programmes and small-scale club and testing events rather than international championship racing. The full 2.519 km, 13-turn layout can be run in shorter configurations as well, suited to instruction and graduated skill levels.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full circuit | 2.52 km | 13 turns; current Porsche Experience Center layout |
Events and race weekends
Before Porsche's acquisition, Franciacorta hosted a mix of national and international events, including rounds of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (2017-2019) and the FIA World Rallycross Championship (2014-2015), plus Italian touring car and prototype series. Since becoming a Porsche Experience Center in 2021, the circuit has moved away from spectator racing toward brand-run driving experiences, model launches and private/club track use, and its FIA circuit grading lapsed in 2024, reflecting the shift away from competitive racing.
Getting there and parking
Franciacorta sits in Castrezzato, in the Brescia countryside of Lombardy, about 15 minutes from the A4 motorway's Rovato exit. Bergamo Orio al Serio and Brescia's Gabriele D'Annunzio airports are both within easy reach, with Milan's airports a further but still practical option; the nearest useful railway stations are in Brescia and Rovato, from which the venue is reached by taxi or hire car.
- Brescia Gabriele D'Annunzio Airport (VBS) · about 30 min drive
- Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) · about 40 min drive
- Milan Linate (LIN) · about 70 min drive
Parking
Free on-site parking is provided for visitors to the Porsche Experience Center, sized for a driving-experience venue rather than a spectator race meeting.
Book driving experiences well ahead, especially on weekends, as the venue operates by scheduled sessions rather than open general admission.
Hotels and camping near Autodromo di Franciacorta (Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta)
Visitors typically stay in Brescia, a short drive away and well connected by road and rail, or explore the wider Franciacorta wine district and Lake Iseo, both popular tourist areas within 20-40 minutes of the circuit. There is no trackside camping culture here, reflecting the venue's role as a driving-experience centre rather than a race-weekend destination.
Where to look
Brescia city offers the widest choice of hotels within about 30 minutes' drive; the Franciacorta wine district and the shores of Lake Iseo, both nearby, are popular alternative bases with boutique hotels and agriturismi.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Franciacorta operates almost entirely as a Porsche-run driving-experience venue: guided track sessions, coaching programmes and model-specific experiences are booked directly through the Porsche Experience Center rather than via independent track-day organisers. Access for non-Porsche club events and private hire does occur but is limited compared with independently operated Italian circuits.
Who runs days here
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Formula 3 lap record (pre-Porsche layout) | 1:05.969 | Brandon Maïsano | Dallara F308 | 2011 |
Spectator guide
Franciacorta is not primarily a spectator venue; it hosts Porsche-run driving events and occasional private or club activity rather than ticketed race meetings with public grandstands. Visitors interested in the venue generally attend as participants in a driving experience rather than as spectators.
Seating
Limited fixed spectator seating; the venue is built around its driving centre and hospitality building rather than grandstands.
Weather
- spring/autumn: mild, highs typically 16-24°C
- summer: warm to hot, highs often 28-32°C
History of Autodromo di Franciacorta (Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta)
A short-lived national racing circuit
Autodromo di Franciacorta broke ground in 2005 and opened in 2006 in the countryside near Castrezzato, giving Lombardy a compact, purpose-built handling circuit distinct from the historic road courses further afield. Through the following decade it hosted a respectable spread of national and international motorsport, including rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2014-15 and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series from 2017 to 2019, alongside Italian Formula 3, touring car and GT racing.
Porsche's takeover
Porsche announced its acquisition of the circuit in November 2019, with plans to convert it into one of its global network of Porsche Experience Centers — purpose-built venues combining a handling track with brand hospitality, driver coaching and model showcases. Redevelopment work followed, and the Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta opened in September 2021 as the largest such centre in the Porsche network worldwide, reshaping the site's focus from competitive racing toward guided driving experiences.
A driving-experience venue today
Since reopening under Porsche, Franciacorta has stepped back from hosting spectator racing; its FIA circuit grading lapsed in 2024, reflecting a facility now built around brand-run track days, performance driving courses and private hire rather than championship motorsport. For visitors, the appeal lies in guided high-performance driving on a well-maintained technical layout rather than watching racing from the grandstands.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Franciacorta circuit?+
The full circuit is 2.519 km (1.565 miles) with 13 turns.
Who owns Franciacorta circuit?+
Porsche AG, which acquired the venue in 2019 and reopened it as the Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta in September 2021.
Can the public still watch races at Franciacorta?+
Rarely. Since becoming a Porsche Experience Center the circuit focuses on brand-run driving experiences and private/club use rather than ticketed spectator racing, and its FIA circuit grading lapsed in 2024.
Can you do a track day at Franciacorta?+
Yes, but mainly through Porsche's own Experience Center programme of guided driving sessions and coaching, rather than independent open-pitlane track days.
What is the nearest airport to Franciacorta?+
Brescia Gabriele D'Annunzio Airport is closest at about 30 minutes' drive; Bergamo Orio al Serio is a larger alternative around 40 minutes away.
Other tracks nearby
- Autodromo Nazionale Monza · 58 km · road course
- Autodromo Riccardo Paletti · 92 km · road course
- Adria International Raceway · 175 km · dormant
- Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari · 187 km · road course
- Mugello Circuit · 200 km · road course
- Zürich Street Circuit · 235 km · historic circuit (defunct)
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-10.