Circuit de Catalunya – Barcelona’s Grand Prix test circuit

by Greg | Spanish Grand Prix

The Circuit de Catalunya, at Montmelo, 20 kilometres north of Barcelona, has established itself as one of the most challenging of all the Formula One race tracks and is home to the Spanish Grand Prix. It has the reputation of putting cars through their most demanding challenges.

For this reason – as well as the fact that Barcelona is never a bad place to visit – the circuit often hosts Formula One testing outside of the main season and this can make an excellent day out – or an introduction to the world of motor sport.

Normally, the Formula One teams visit Barcelona a couple of weeks after the close of the championship season in order to make preliminary tests on their next season’s car. At this time, however, the cars are mostly driven by test drivers – who might be well-known names to fans of the sport but are not the ‘headline’ names we all recognise.

Those drivers will, however, be at the Montmelo track in March for the pre-season testing, This is a wonderful chance to see the world’s best drivers hurtling round the track without having thousands of other people there and, also, without having to pay quite substantial sums of money. The atmosphere, too, is far more relaxed – spectators can have access to the main grandstands and many other parts of the circuit you might not get near at Race time.

Normally, children under 11 are admitted free to testing days, and general admittance will be something in the region of 6 euros. That really is a bargain. If you want to pay a little more and have greater access, for about 30 euros you can have a tour that will include the Pits, Paddock, Control Tower, VIP rooms, etc – as well as taking you around the service road adjacent to the track.

These tours of the circuit are, in fact, available throughout most of the year. Costing, on non-testing days, 10 euros for adults and half price for those between 5 and 14, these generally take place three times a day – but it is important to check on availability before you go. The official web site of the Circuit de Catalunya can be found at www.circuitcat.com/ingles/index.asp.

For the really adventurous amongst you, there are opportunities of actually driving around the circuit – either on a motorcycle or in your own car. This, of course, is probably the ultimate ambition of many race followers and there are numerous Track Days throughout the year when drivers can have up to 20 minutes to lap the Grand Prix track. Again, details are always available on the web site.

The Circuit de Catalunya is one of the best of the Grand Prix arenas in terms of spectator facilities and viewing points. If you’re one of the many millions interested in motor sport – or think you might become hooked to it – then why not take the chance to visit this modern, easily accessible race track and really give it a try.