Report: How Barcelona achieved a stunning fan experience this time around

Although Formula One’s 53rd Spanish Grand Prix took place some seven days ago, F1Technical.net’s Balázs Szabó takes a look back at the Barcelona-Montmelo venue that hosted the second European round of the 2023 F1 season, highlighting how the race organizers, Formula One and the FIA delivered a brilliant fan experience at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix.

Last year’s Spanish Grand Prix was a strange round. With Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen having been locked in a thrilling battle in the previous races, it was no surprise that the two then leading contenders fought it out at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The Monegasque delivered an eye-catching performance in the all-important qualifying session to secure pole positing for Sunday’s race before escaping into the distance in the early part of the grand prix. However, an engine-related issue forced him to retire from the race, handing over the lead to his Dutch rival who then secured a controlled victory at the venue where he took his first ever Formula One win back in 2016.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had a low-key qualifying session, but the Spanish Grand Prix was his first promising round in 2022, displaying great race-pace in the second half of the 66-lap race and enjoying a much better balance from his troubled W13.

However, the fan experience was less than ideal. Barcelona is widely considered as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. A city by the sea yet encircled by wooded mountains, with gorgeous architecture, beautiful churches, great beaches, parks, famous landmarks, and more that make the city truly enticing.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is also a driver favourite with its long corners that highlight the true potential of a Formula One car, testing the downforce level and the aerodynamic balance of the sport’s racing machines.

Despite the great track and the stunning city, fans encountered a long lists of issues to cope with at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix. The high number of spectators at the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix led to organizational issues over the weekend, both inside and outside the track.

Last year saw the return to pre-Covid times which meant that fans could travel without significant restrictions to Spain. Moreover, Formula One has arguably become more popular in recent years thanks to the new Right Holder Liberty Media’s efforts.

Let's put it simple: organizers could simply not cope with the demands last year. Fans complained about a lack of food and water at the circuit, long queues for amenities and even longer queues for public transport away from the track.

And they were right to complain as we experienced the same issues personally. We took to the fan areas to check it in person, and there was indeed a serious lack of food and water with fans required to wait over an hour to get a drink or a food.

That sounds like a luxury problem or trivial annoyance, but someone who visited a sports event should be aware that visitors are usually required to throw out their food or drink at the entrance with organizers forcing fans to buy expensive products at the venue. It means that spectators are required to buy what they can afford at the track.

The biggest problem was the traffic. Even by a big event standard, there were huge traffic jams around the circuit. Buses let people out before reaching their destination because it was easier to reach even a far-away gate on foot than sitting in the bus for two hours.

With the track located in Montemlo, some 16 miles outside the city of Barcelona, the majority of fans usually opt for the train to get to the track and return to the city. Last year, on Friday and Saturday, people needed to wait around three hours to catch a train. With the crowd lined up in close proximity, several people passed out in the heat. Although the situation improved for Sunday, it was still not ideal.

Following the criticism of fans, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali stated: “The huge number of fans at this event, both inside and outside the circuit, created traffic issues for the fans.

“We have made the promoter aware this is not acceptable and must be fixed for next season.”

The situation has significantly improved for this year. The organizers of the Spanish Grand Prix have made a brilliant job to turn the event into a stunning fan experience for 2023.

Traffic issues were much more under control. It was quite easy to get to the Montmelo train station with the Barcelona train stations where trains travelling to Montmelo stop were well prepared for the F1 fans.

Tickets machines had a special Montmelo F1 option with tickets offered as return version. There were several boards at the train stations which signalled the way to the platform where the Montmelo trains stopped. Moreover, there were assistants who helped at the ticket purchase and at the platforms.

On the way back from the track, there was a relatively long queue, but security people and fences helped to control the crowd which eradicated any potential health danger.

While the town of Montmelo did not offer anything last year, the pedestrian street leading from the station to the border of the town transformed into a fan village with fans able to buy not only food, drink and a wide variety of F1 branded clothing and accessories, but sunscreens and umbrellas with the latter turning out to be useful at various parts of the weekend.

Although the organisers offer a bus from the end of the Montmelo pedestrian-street-turned-fan-village to certain gates of the track, the majority of fans opted to complete the second half of the 25-minute stroll to the track on foot to avoid any traffic-related issues.

While safety members at the track entrance made a tremendous job to ensure a quick access to the circuit, the track facilities have also been heavily updated. New drinking water taps were installed at various points of the track. The toilet facilities have also been improved, having been expanded in size and made more up-to-date.

Mist gates have also been installed in the middle section of the fan area that is located in between Turns 3, 4 and 5 which is the second biggest spectator area behind the fan village that lies behind the main grandstand. Organizers have also installed a great number of food and drink stands, although the purchase process could be made slightly quicker.

The sport and the organizers have reacted brilliantly to address the crowd management issues from 2022, but the circuit could still make one area better next year. Although there are a few big screens around the track, many of them are located in a not ideal area. It is one of the few lessons that the Spanish GP organisers may address for next year, increasing the number of big screens and more importantly placing them at the right area.