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Spanish F1: 2012


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#1 Disco

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Posted 29 August 2011 - 20:16

Barca 2012 GP: May 11 - 13

Hello all,

Before I begin, I must congratulate you all on a fantastic forum. Well laid out, and by the looks of it, everyone is soooo friendly, offering advice to each other.

As a (forum and F1) newbie, I'm also looking for some advice. Please bear with me as this may be a long one. As a surprise for the other half, I'm looking to book a trip to the Spanish GP in Montmelo near Barca. I've looked at other threads, but wondered if any has been to this years Spanish GP that could add to the great advice already given.

Living in North East, we are flying from Newcastle to Barca which seems the best option, but am still deciding on other things such as Car Hire/Accommodation etc etc, and therefore, have a few questions..

1. Can anyone suggest a Car Hire Company?

2. If we don't choose Car Hire, what is the best way of getting to the circuit (and back to say Barca) each day?! Can you buy a 1, 3 or 4 day train ticket and if so, how much do these cost?

2. Does anyone know of any decent places to stay? - What is camping like at the Circuit? Would it be cheaper hiring a villa/apartment if there are more than 2 of us (possibly upto 10 but won't know til November)

3. Which website/s can I book F1 circuit tickets with? When do the actual tickets arrive?

4. Looking for suggestions for location at circuit, for a F1 Newbie. Watched it on TV loads of times, but this will be out first ever visit to ANY F1 track? I'm looking at General Admission, basically due to cost? - Can we take our own folding chairs, and does GA allow Pit Walk Access on the Thursday

5. Finally, for now, until I think of another 5 questions. I've heard you need to get there early if you have GA tickets, and want a good spot (which is fine as we're always up with the larks). Question is, what time do the gates for GA open, and how long before this time, would you recommend to queue? Bearing in mind the race doesn't start until 14:00 local time, would I get a good spot if I was there for say 10:00am (local time)

Edited by Disco, 01 September 2011 - 18:53.


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#2 fifi

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Posted 31 August 2011 - 20:51

will try to help but its been a few years since i was at the race
but best way in my mind to get to the track is train from barcelona to montmelo then walk the rest of the way, its quick, cheap and easy - bus is ok but takes just as long as the train due to traffic, i wouldnt consider driving to the track on race weekend - the train was only about 3 euro

seat wise, we were general admission and we did get a not bad spot but if i was going back i would get grandstand seats - much easier, we had to get up to the track by about 8am to get a good spot and it was roasting - you could take your own chairs in if you wanted

staying wise we just stayed in a cheap hostel which was about 17 euros per night, was clean and suited perfectly, was just off la rambla so central enough for everything

we booked tickets via the circuit website


#3 Disco

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Posted 31 August 2011 - 23:00

Thanks Fi Fi

As its for a surprise birthday, I am looking at something more "posh", although my pocket says otherwise, I would like something nice, with Breakfast included? Unless you can recommend a breakfast bar, or something?

Anyway, thanks for the tips - keep 'em coming? When do tickets go on sale?

#4 Disco

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 20:16

Now that 2012 as been confirmed, when do tickets go on sale for the 2012 race in barca?

Does the Gen Admission tickets allow you to choose from any GA position, or are they certain tickets for each GA area?



#5 Disco

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Posted 08 September 2011 - 07:24

Given the chance, and on a limited budget, which Grandstand would you recommend for a first timer to Barca?

Limited to as little as i need to spend! We're early risers, so don't mind getting there early for a good spot for GA tickets as well? Suggestions please!

#6 Garagiste

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Posted 20 September 2011 - 19:45

Not done GA, so can't comment on that, but out of the two Grandstands I've sat in (H & M), M was the best. Good view of the main straight and Turn 1, then the cars go behind you and emerge on your left - you can see them from Repsol all the way to Campsa.
No idea how expensive tickets might be now, I was there in 2002 before Alonso mania.
So with the proviso that this might all be horribly out of date...

There are loads of cheap hotels in Barcelona, we stayed at the Hotel California (no, really!) and from memory it was pretty basic but pleasant enough.
Anywhere near the Ramblas is going to be loud into the early hours, so you might get your money's worth out of your circuit earplugs.
Train is absolutely the best way of getting there, it's a bit of an uphill hike from the station but nothing too demanding.
Nice little Patisserie on the way too, grab a danish for breakfast and 6 cans of Estrella for the price of 1 Fosters in the circuit.
Great little pavement pub to pass the time waiting for the queues for the train to go down on the return journey.

Have a search in this Forum for a thread by Jon Pollack, lots of detail in there.

#7 f1madmatt

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 15:14

I've booked to go this year.Got a cheap flight from East Midlands Airport. I've got a grandstand seat on the Start/finish straight. Accomodation wise I'm staying in a backpacker hostel in Barecola centre. Anyone else making the trip ?

#8 KLN

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Posted 09 May 2012 - 07:50

I've booked to go this year.Got a cheap flight from East Midlands Airport. I've got a grandstand seat on the Start/finish straight. Accomodation wise I'm staying in a backpacker hostel in Barecola centre. Anyone else making the trip ?

Yep am here too. Anyone out there with hints on travelling on the train to montmelo


#9 KLN

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Posted 09 May 2012 - 16:13

Yep am here too. Anyone out there with hints on travelling on the train to montmelo


don't worry, have found the station now. 3 blocks up from here. not he Metro station it's the other one. downhill all the way home!