Experience Formula 1 in Barcelona!
Do you get a thrill every time you hear the roar of an engine? Do you love the smell of asphalt and petrol? Is ‘circuit’ one of your favourite words? Do you feel the need for speed? If so, make sure you’re in Barcelona for the weekend of 11–13 May for the Formula 1.
Main events at the Spanish F1 GP
From Friday 11 to Sunday 13 May, the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit de Montmeló, Barcelona. A total of 66 laps and 307,104 km in which the drivers will thrill you and make your hair stand on end.
Take note of the main events:
• Thursday 10 May: those lucky enough to have a Grand Prix ticket, season ticket or Circuit official ticket can visit the Pit Lane from 4 pm to 6.30 pm and get autographs signed from 4 pm to 6 pm. At 6 pm there will be a karting exhibition where drivers will support budding young talent.
• Friday 11 May: practice session from 11 am to 12.30 pm and from 3 pm to 4.30 pm. There will also be practice sessions such as the GP3 Series at 9.30 am, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at 6.45 pm, the official FIA Formula 2 practice sessions at 4.55 pm, and the GP3 Series at 5.50 pm.
• Saturday 12 May: a key day for the qualifying sessions in the main category, as well as the first single-seater races, the GP3 Series at 10.15 am and the FIA Formula 2 at 4.40 pm. From 6 pm to 7 pm don’t miss the Fan Forum in the Fanzone, where you’ll find several F1 drivers! At 7 pm there’s the popular “Run the Track” where every year more and more athletes run the full Circuit de Catalunya.
• Sunday 13 May: the big day! At 3.10 pm the World F1 grid is set and ready. From 9 am you can enjoy another three races in the supporting categories. At 1.30 pm don’t miss the traditional drivers’ parade or the Open Track once the World F1 race has finished.
How to get to the Circuit de Catalunya
It’s easy to get from Barcelona to Montmeló, and there are several transport options that will get you there in under an hour. Let’s go!
• Montmeló by car: depending on the route you take, it will take between 40 and just over 50 minutes to get to the Circuit from Barcelona. You’ll find over 32,000 parking spaces so you’ll have no trouble parking. Bear in mind that the track is over 3 km long, so don’t park too far from your seats!
• Buses to the Circuit de Catalunya: the easiest way to the Circuit is to take one of the shuttle buses run by Sagalés. On the 11, 12 and 13 May they’ll leave from the Estació del Nord bus station in Barcelona, next to Arc de Triomf and well connected to the metro and RENFE Rodalies trains. They will run from Barcelona from 8 am to 12.30 pm and then back to Barcelona from 3 pm or 4.45 pm to 6 pm or 6.30 om, depending on the day. The bus will drop you only 300 metres from the entrance to the Circuit, so it’s very handy!
• Train to the F1 GP: you can get the train to Montmeló from several railway stations in the centre of Barcelona, such as Estació de Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Clot. The journey from Barcelona to Montmeló railway station takes about 30 minutes, but you then have to get from the station to the Circuit, which means either a 30-minute walk or waiting for a free shuttle bus to the Circuit.
Recommendations and advice
If you’re planning on heading to watch the Spanish F1 Grand Prix, bear in mind the following points:
• Don’t worry about food: there are over 80 fast-food and drink stands all around the track.
• Remember to protect yourself from the sun and make sure children are protected. The sun is strong in Montmeló, so bring sunscreen. Sunglasses and hats are a good idea too.
• Wear light clothes and comfortable footwear to feel as comfortable as if you were watching the race from the sofa at home.
• Don’t forget to bring earmuffs or earplugs. No matter how much you like the sound of roaring engines, your ears will thank you for it.
• There are more than 20 screens all around the circuit so you won’t miss a thing. If your seats are away from the track you won’t need binoculars to see the cars up close.
Got everything? Enjoy the Formula 1!
