After two years due to the pandemic, the Spanish Grand Prix welcomed a sell-out audience of about 300,000 fans to the Montmelo site.
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After struggling to cope with a sell-out crowd at last weekend’s event, the Barcelona circuit will collaborate with Formula 1 to improve the spectator experience at the Spanish Grand Prix. Following two difficult years due to the pandemic, the Spanish Grand Prix welcomed a sell-out audience of about 300,000 fans to the Montmelo site throughout the weekend. While the event provided the much-needed boost to local promoters after several years of dwindling attendance, the circuit and its surrounding infrastructure looked to struggle to accommodate the large crowds.
There were several reports of heavy traffic congestion around the circuit, long lines at concession booths, and overburdened public transportation systems. However F1 reportedly said that this is not acceptable and must be fixed for next season. The circuit’s CEO Josep Lluis Santamaria had received a letter from F1 boss Stefano Domenicali urging it to improve its crowd management and acknowledged there’s room for improvement and make the experience even better for the fans.
Santamaria admitted that the venue had underestimated the number of spectators that would turn up on Friday, as historically local fans often only turned up from Saturday onwards. On Saturday, RENFE, which operates commuter trains between Montmelo and Barcelona, struggled to keep up with the massive crowds. It was reported that over 75,000 passengers utilized its trains to travel in Catalunya this weekend, accounting for approximately 26% of the total number of persons attending the grand prix.
Read more: Formula One extends contract with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya until 2026
The issue was exacerbated by the 36-degree heat as Catalunya experienced its first summer wave of 2022. The temperature on Friday was very high, so there were significant queues at some points. Action was taken on that same night from Friday to Saturday, opening 45 more points of sale that were planned for Sunday, and seven more, for drinks only. It’s conceivable that some of the supply points ran out of water at some point, but it was refilled throughout the day, and there were other refreshments available as well.
The Spanish Grand Prix appeared to be on its last legs after years of falling attendance, but a recent surge in Formula 1 interest has allowed Montmelo to survive its 30-year milestone, having negotiated a contract extension until 2026. It indicates that Formula One has rekindled interest among the locals. And with a race that was undoubtedly one of the most fantastic events witnessed here in recent years.
