Although it still has a month to get itself into shape for the arrival of Formula One, the new Valencia street circuit continues to receiving 'finishing touches' even as its pre-grand prix run-out kicks off.

The 5.4km circuit, which runs around the city's impressive America's Cup harbour and local urban districts, has been taking shape over the past few months, but teams and drivers arriving for this weekend's Spanish F3 and GT rounds, have reported much activity as the workforce attempts to get the venue ready.

Safety fencing was still being erected, tyre barriers relocated and kerbs painted in the colours of the Valencian Communitat as the teams began to set up while, according to reports in Spain's As newspaper, other work remained uncompleted.

"I don't know if everything will be ready," one driver was quoted as saying, "All I see is a lot of mess."

The organisers remain more optimistic, however, although an alternative schedule has been drawn up for this weekend should things drag on.

"There remains a lot of work, but I believe that we will be ready," Jorge Martinez Aspar, vice-president of Valmor Sports, the company charged with creating the circuit, commented, "It is more important that this weekend takes place in the best conditions."

While Aspar was insisting that there would be no such delays when the F1 circus arrives over the weekend of 22-24 August, those drivers hoping to get out on track did so by other means that their race cars. Many - including the dozen or so GP2 drivers keen to learn the track before their double-header round next month and taking part in the GT event this weekend - walked, cycled or took scooters around the roads that form the circuit, and commented positively on the layout.

Among the 20,000 people expected to attend this weekend's event is Bernie Ecclestone, keen to see the progress being made on a circuit he has already claimed should be 'one of the best in the world'.

Regional government president Francisco Camps, who showed Ecclestone around the emerging circuit in recent weeks, is confident that the venue will stand out, not only for its unique backdrop, but also by producing good racing.

"Spain has once more given the best image of itself, one of modernity, commitment and a belief in our own possibilities," he claimed, "The whole world will see that we have been capable of, a great feat of engineering and an infrastructure that is befitting of sport at this level.

"It is very hard to find a circuit with these characteristics," he said of the convergence between F1 and ocean racing, "Just as it was designed, so has it been set up. I have to thank all the citizens of the Valencian community who have believed since the start that this was the best way to tell the world that we are a great community, that we are a great territory and that anything we decide to do, however ambitious it may seem, we are capable of doing."