By AJ Bafer
An Aston Martin and other vehicles round turn five of 2022's Spanish Grand Prix to the dramatic backdrop of spectators and rolling hills.
Only one place in Barcelona allows you to experience speed the likes of which you have never seen.
It’s a quickness rarely witnessed in person, accompanied by the exhilarating hum of a thousand honeybees and exhaust pops felt to your core. Thrill-seekers, skip PortAventura. Spain’s greatest adrenaline rush can be found at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, for the Spanish Grand Prix.
What makes Formula 1 such a special sport, much like its infinitely popular, World Cup counterpart, is that it’s a global battle. Take regional rivalries of the NFL, spice them up with centuries of national competition, sprinkle in decades of life-threatening vies for the checkered flag and you’ll glimpse just a fraction of a Formula 1 race’s emotion in the driver’s mirror.
This is a glimpse into the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix, along with some pointers not to be overlooked for a successful spectator experience.
The race schedule, including the practice and qualifying days leading up to the main event.
Barcelona hosted the sixth race of the season, and locals were itching to see their homeland pride, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, in action.
Anticipation filled the air like gas fumes even before reaching the track. Hundreds of eager travelers filled the metro or take up taxis on the trek from downtown. The colorful masses would have been enough to make a leprechaun cry, with every shade of the rainbow reflected in Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes fans alike.
Fans pack the train to Montmeló, most sporting then-leader Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing merchandise.
An attuned ear could have picked up languages just as diverse. Dutch, French, English and, of course, Spanish only scratch the surface of what linguistic vehicles were used to push excited babble in anticipation of the race itself. Even if traveling alone, you would have had no trouble finding a fellow-enthused friend.
Race attendees (dressed remarkably similarly) pass security. If it was not already obvious, bring some sun protection.
Evan from Connecticut could not help sharing his F1 fanaticism on the train.
“I’m McLaren all the way,” he said.
Not that his outfit – jet black McLaren merch from head to toe, the special-edition American flag patches contrasting the British team’s heritage – did not already give his loyalties away.
The affinity Evan had for his team is run of the course on the course; attendees should pick up some team pride before making the trip.
After navigating through the quaint roads of Montmeló, where vendors could be found selling last-minute needs like team attire and concessions, a behemoth structure crested the horizon. The concrete prism encompassed the circuit like a tracksuit to a driver, and its crimson F1-font numbers indicated gates for entry from one to seven.
F1 flags stand post at Gate 3, which dwarfs those ascending its stairs and conveys the circuits sheer scale.
The steep climb was worth the effort. The fan zone awaited past security, offering ways to bide your time like race simulators, photo-ops on replica podiums and yet more concessions.
It would be wise to bring a few of your own (water especially) to avoid paying a pretty penny. If you value your time as much as your budget, get to the circuit at least a couple of hours early to avoid getting caught in the crowd.
A man observes the fan zone, flanked by an official F1 store and earmuff booths.
The minutes leading up to the Grand Prix did not travel in high gear, but there were other ways to shake up the wait; Formula 3 and Formula 2 races preceded the main event.
Find a spot along the grass (or up in the grandstands, if you ride the way of high living) for a glimpse into the adrenaline in store.
Formula 2 drivers hit Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's straightaway at incredulous speeds.
Blink, and you would have missed it. They may not have been top tier, but the F3 and F2 drivers knew how to put on a show.
It was a spectacle that could not have been faked – the numbing of eardrums was all the proof necessary.
Resist the temptation to get too distracted. Secure a plot in advance before all the top seating options are coated with umbrellas and folding chairs, but it is worth lapping the track to find an optimal spot.
Consider the track’s signature straightaway near the pits, where you can hear the churning of tire changes made with world-class efficiency. But turns are where the action is, optimal for witnessing overtakes at the price of speed.
The Rolex-adorned position sensor, which lists live driver standings and features an outline of the circuit.
A trip over the Crypto.com bridge (just one example of the advertising machine that fuels Formula 1) led to the track’s center led to a stage, a large screen and pop-up bars. There, a broadcast of the race could be viewed to 2010s dance anthems courtesy of a hired DJ.
The fluff was all well and good. But the real show began about an hour and a half ahead of the green light. The drivers' parade gave the first glimpse into the big leagues after F2’s conclusion; 20 Formula 1 drivers, unparalleled behind the wheel, were promenaded around the circuit. They waved from the platform to the jeers of an international audience.
F1 drivers wave to the delight of fans during the drivers' parade.
Savor the unabashed woops of affinity for driving’s best while you can. Once the wheels start turning, you will not be able to hear even the loudest shouts of admiration over the roar of engines.
The drivers retired, and it was finally time. The air could be felt becoming electrified by the hum of national anthems, the thunderous applause.
But as the drivers took position… silence.
Gasps were stifled – mechanical actions without thought. Drops of sweat could be heard dribbling beneath the harsh Catalonian sun. Even the shirtless drunkards bit their tongues.
The quiet broke as fast as tires began spinning. A stampede of precision engineering was audible rounding the corner. Necks snapped in unison to track blur after blur, which bulleted above the asphalt at 300 KM/H, screams falling on deafened ears as if in a fume-filled vacuum. Not even the thickest layer of perspiration could have hidden the goosebumps, rising higher with every stereotypical nyoom.
This is Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the Spanish Grand Prix.
A video depicting lap one of the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix, led by Ferrari's Charles LeClerc. Note the not-so-subtle passion conveyed in one fan's hand gestures in the foreground, typical of a high-stakes race.
Sixty-six laps later and you will still crave more. Watch the replay to see it for yourself rather than spoiling the experience here. Know this: no screen can capture the thrill of attending a Formula 1 race in person.
Cian from Ireland knew this all too well. He and his buds pit stopped in Barcelona for the express purpose, and he could hardly express his experience with words.
“It was amazing,” he said.
The sport gives a high all its own, but Cian recommended bringing another amenity in addition to sunscreen and snacks.
“A great group of guys, that’s all you need,” he said. Grab the gals, too.
Maybe you will fall in love with Barcelona’s circuit to the point of having its outline tattooed on your thigh a few hours later, as Cian’s buddy did, but your experience will be inked into your memories with similar permanence.
Hit the gas and get yourself to the circuit for 2023’s Spanish Grand Prix.
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