This weekend the Barcelona Circuit will wear his best clothes on the occasion of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix, culminating three years of works that have served to modernize its facilities, with an approximate investment of 50 million euros. After the resounding success of the Road Show held yesterday on Passeig de Gràcia, the action moves to the Catalan route, which this Thursday welcomed the ‘great circus’ family with a surprise, the spectacular ‘Rooftop’ walkway that rises above the track in the Estadi area and offers a privileged panoramic view. It is undoubtedly the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the reforms undertaken within the framework of the strategic plan presented in 2022, when the previous five-year renewal was signed, to please the wishes of Formula 1.
Stéfano Domenicali, CEO of Liberty Media, demanded improvements at the Circuit and greater involvement of Barcelona to bring F1 closer to citizens. Both demands have been met in this edition. The arrival of Jaume Collboní and the PSC to the mayor’s office facilitated the exhibition in Eixample, absolutely vetoed by the previous City Council, just at a time when the city is preparing to host the Copa América de Sailing and has just closed the departure of the Tour in 2026. And the premiere of ‘Rooftop’, this Thursday, has put the ‘icing on the cake’.
The construction of this multifunctional walkway on the Circuit’s back straight has been completed just in time for the Spanish GP. With an approximate cost of six million euros, the building rises to 30 meters high, just before turn 10, linking the Stadium area with the paddock. A new crossing point that did not exist and a visual element that significantly improves the experience in the VIP area, just as Liberty wanted.
Alonso and Sainz unleash passions
The Circuit de Barcelona is preparing for one of the most special weekends in recent years. Your president Roger Torrent, Minister of Business and Labor of the Generalitat, is convinced that the 34th edition of the grand prix in Montmeló will be “the best we have ever organized on this stage.” It is the slogan set on fire by the organization. They know what is at stake and they don’t want anything to fail.
The competition is fierce. Madrid has agreed to host the Spanish Grand Prix for ten years, starting in 2026, the last edition that Barcelona has signed, which must change its nomenclature and aspires to continue beyond that date. Oriol Sagrera, CEO of the Circuit and main actor in the new agreement with Fira de Barcelona for the commercial exploitation of the route, hopes to convince Sundays with a differentiated proposal, ipromoting the best permanent circuit in Europe in front of the urban race at IFEMA.
While the negotiations continue, andOn a sporting level, the party at the Circuit promises strong emotions this weekend. The Spanish fans have turned to the home drivers Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso. The first says he is “very close” to announcing where he will race next season and dreams that the updates introduced by Ferrari in Barcelona will allow him to fight for what would be his second victory of the season, after Australia.
For its part, Alonso arrives with fewer expectations, after the lukewarm start of the course Aston Martin and, like everyone, pending the weather, which predicts chances of rain for Sunday’s race. The Asturian’s statistics in Montmeló are not too favorable, although if conditions allow he will try to give joy to the fans, who missed him yesterday at the Road Show and this afternoon have ‘gone crazy’ with him in traditional ‘pit walk’‘on the street of garages. “This is my 21st Spanish Grand Prix and I feel as proud as I did in my first race at home.. The fans are always an extra motivation to do well,” assures Fernando, who prefers “a wet race” this Sunday.
Max Verstappen returns to the track where he debuted with Red Bull in 2016, achieving his first victory and breaking the absolute precocity record as the youngest winner in F1 history. He arrives as the outstanding leader of the World Cup, although this year he has already been beaten in three of the nine events held: Sainz in Australia, Lando Norris (McLaren) in Miami and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in front of his fans, in Monaco. Definitive proof that the 2024 championship is more open than the previous two and that in Barcelona, especially if it rains, anything is possible.
2024-06-20 16:34:12
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