4 replies to this topic

[fawx]

Hello all!

 

I will be flying into Europe from the 12th of May this year and I am sorely tempted to drop my Barcelona for the race weekend, before heading over to Iceland.

 

Any one with suggestions on what/when to do/see during the grandprix? 

 

Most likely, I will be there only on raceday itself and it will be my first ever race!

 

 

Any kind suggestions will be appreciated. 

[Jerem]

I went to see the Spanish GP a few years ago, it was a good one.

I suggest grandstands G (you get to see most of S3) or L (you see T1/2 and T5/6). Main straight grandstands are more expensive, but since it your first GP you may also want to be there to see the live pitstops.

 

Upsides: seeing a GP live is always a great experience as you get a very different feeling from what it's like on TV.

Downsides: the race will likely have no overtakes at all.

 

During the GP itself, except watching the cars, there's not much to do... if you can get the live timing app at the same time, it helps follow what's going on (much harder than on TV even with the screens around the track).

It will basically take the whole day as there are support races in the morning (GP2, etc).

 

You can bring your own food, everything is quite expensive at GP venues and not particularly tasty.

 

If you have time before or after, the city of Barcelona (about 20km from the circuit itself IIRC) is obviously the main point of interest nearby, and it's really worth it (night life, monuments... depending on what you're interested in besides racing).

[JonnyJ]

Did Barcelona in 2015. Not a lot going on in Montmelo itself and its a bit of a trek from the station so make sure you're not monumentally hungover from the night before like I was! It's quite hilly and chances are it will be baking hot so be prepared for that.

If you're only doing the race not a lot to suggest other than get there early to get yourself a spot (if your gen admission). We found around the chicane (turns 6/7) were a decent place to sit and watch, there's a screen opposite so you can keep an eye on what's going on.

Take your own food/water as everything costs a fortune once in.

Barcelona is an excellent city though so be sure to spend a night there and enjoy the nightlife. Just watch out for pickpockets, had my phone robbed and lost all my photos from the holiday!

Edited by JonnyJ, 06 March 2017 - 12:43.

[TennisUK]

I would recommend a grand stand, general admission doesn't offer a great view there. The stands in the final sector are the best - it's almost like an amphitheatre at that part which doesn't come across on TV at all. If you're doing GA you'll need to get there fairly early, but not mentally early, unless Mclaren miraculously turn things around by then.

 

Being Barcelona... it won't be a good race though

 

Montmelo is pretty dull, but definitely worth making a weekend of Barcelona, it's a fantastic city.

[KevR]

I am reviving this topic after 2 years as I'm planning to visit Circuit de Catalunya this May for the Spanish GP. A lot has been written about the circuit and its great atmosphere so I'm really gassed to go there.

I'd like to stay at the official campsite right next to the track, so I have a question if anyone stayed there before and can give some tips? Can I stay there the whole week or is it open just for the 3 days of racing? And is it pricey? Thanks.