Spanish GP 2022 -

[james22]

I'm thinking of going to the Spanish GP in May

I've never done Circuit de Catalunya before and wanted to know what the logistics are like if you're staying in Barcelona travelling to the circuit and how easy it is to travel to and from the circuit?

Anyone done this and give me some pointers? TIA

[StevieBee]

The circuit itself is situated behind an industrial estate and a rather bland town. Staying in Barcelona is your best option - though plenty of Travelodge type places nearby.

There's a train that runs from the city centre to near the circuit. From the station it's walkable (25 mins or so) but there's taxis and shuttle buses that operate as well.

If you can, nip over for testing in Feb. €25 general access ticket - cheap flight/hotel combo and you'll get a better feel for the place before the GP weekend.

Viewing is good with most spots affording a wide view of the track.

[james22]

Thanks, really helpful.

I imagine the train to the Circuit is rammed on race day, any other ways to get there?

Also, best viewing places there?

[StevieBee]

All routes in will be a touch busy but the trains are frequent and good. You could cab / bus or drive it from the City Centre but equally, the roads will be chocca too. It's about 15 miles outside of the city centre.

Some of the tour operators may offer a transfer service if you book a package deal. But like all major events, breezing in and out as you would a clubbie meet is not really likely. Arrive early. Stay late!

As for viewing spots...

Outside of turns 1 and 2 give you sight of the main straight and the the right left where you tend to see a lot of overtaking and first lap argy-bargey.

Between 5 and 6 gives you slightly less view of the straight but more going into the sweeping T3.

This is a pic is from the section in-between T2 and run to T6



And looking the other way from the same spot:



The 'stadium section' runs from just after T10 round to the chicane at T15. Great viewing but the slowest part of the track:



Last time I went, we had just a general access ticket and managed to wander round during the race and watched from pretty much everywhere over the course of the GP.

Would highly recommend the testing. My son and I went in 2020. Flew out on the Tuesday and back on the Thusrday - total cost for both of us including tickets, flight, hotel was less than £200. You get to see more of the circuit and more of the cars. You can then make a more informed choice on grandstands for the race and they sell discounted tickets at the track during testing for the race weekend.

HTH

Edited by StevieBee on Wednesday 29th September 09:39

[gotoPzero]

I used to stay in the Rafael Hotel in Badalona when I was there with a team - 4 years on the trot. Sky sports also used to stay there. Not sure if they still do.

Drive out of the hotel, head north, pick up the B-500 in Pomar and take the 500 all the way. Lovely bit of road. 20-25 min you are at the track.

In the old days of real F1 engines you could hear the engines once you were dropping down into Martorelles.

There are lots of places to eat near the hotel, all about 10-20 min walk.

There is underground parking.

A lot of the teams use the Ibis or the Holiday Inn Express at the track but I never did. We used to use a hotel in Mollett too which was a bit grim tbh. Rafaels much nicer and quiet.

20-25 min the other way is the city for a bit of sight seeing if you desire.

[Mellow Yellow]

Went a couple of times in the early 2000's, we used to take the Sleasyjet to Barcelona, pick up a couple of rentals and camp at the circuit. Straight after the race we'd pack-up and head to the coast (Blanes) where you could almost name your price for a hotel room in early May. Lots of people caught the train from central Barcelona but the nearest station is a bit of a treck. Camping at the circuit is an experience, massive party atmosphere and don't expect much sleep; fun when I was younger but nowadays I'd prefer a hotel.

If you are driving from the airport, Girona makes as much sense as Barcelona as Barcelona airport is on the opposite side of the city to the circuit whereas Girona airport is on the right side. According to Google, Barcelona Airport is 41 mins away, Girona is 45.

[HardtopManual]

There are coaches from the centre of town to the circuit entrance for, IIRC, €10 each way. Run by a company called Sagales. You can buy tickets at the bus stations.

In terms of accommodation, I've been to the circuit on various budgets, depending on how flush I was at the time. Cheapest was going to testing, staying in INOUT hostel up in the hills, hiring the cheapest Fiat Panda I could get my hands on. I think that trip cost me about £150 all-in. You can obviously spend much more if you want gold seats for the GP and stay in a 5* hotel.

Barcelona comes in for a bit of stick - boring race, no overtaking etc. But it's one of my favourites to attend. You can access the inside of the circuit and see the race from tons of places, even with a GA ticket. And it's one of the best places for a bit of amateur photography, if that floats your boat.