Formula 1 fans 'surprised' at fan zone in Barcelona ahead of next week's GP
Hundreds of supporters test simulators, take pictures with F1 cars and buy merchandise in city center
Barcelona has set a new Formula 1 fan zone in Plaça de Catalunya square, in the city center, ahead of the F1 Spanish Grand Prix taking place between June 21 and 23.
On the new site, there are food trucks, live music, cutting-edge driving simulators, and several F1 cars that fans can take photos with.
"I am very surprised. I was really looking forward to seeing a racing car from close up, and this 2017 Red Bull is out of the normal. The wheels are huge, you cannot see this on TV," Mario Barba, a 13-year-old fan from Sant Boi de Llobregat, said to the Catalan News Agency (ACN).
He was accompanied by his parents and his brother Daniel. He said that he used to "watch the races on the sofa with my father" as his father watched the races on TV.
They would have "loved to go to the race track" on Sunday, but no seats were available.
Meanwhile, Alirio Villanueva said that the Fan Village "is the best, especially in the city center." One of the things he highlighted is the "opportunity to share the experience with other F1 fans."
Among the cars on site, there is also an Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team vehicle with a large picture of Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, who continues to attempt to reach his 33rd win in his history. He has won 32 races, but despite being the oldest in the grid, he continues to fight for the next one.
There are also some merchandise stores, reflex challenge games, or wind tunnels, as well as the podium and the Spanish GP trophy, which will be awarded to Sunday's winner.
The Fan Village is free to enter, but those interested must register online via the Circuit de Catalunya race track website.
The site will open between 12 pm and 9 pm during working days and from 11 am to 9 pm on the weekend.
Promoters said there were 8,000 attendees on Saturday, the opening day, and have already 65,000 people registered to enter the venue.
Road Show
Barcelona will host a Formula 1 road show on June 19 on Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, going from Plaça de Catalunya square to Aragó street, just in front of Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló. The event will be part of a week-long activities program ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
F1 cars will drive along Passeig de Gràcia boulevard in the city center, past Art Nouveau landmarks, such as Gaudí's Casa Batlló. The wide avenue allows enough space for the drivers to do donuts and for spectators to watch the spectacle.
Climate activists call for protest
The protest on June 19, has been scheduled for 5.30 pm, half an hour before the roadshow begins, at the intersection of Aragó and Balmes streets.
"We say no to an urban model based on large-scale events that privatize public spaces, where public money is spent for the benefit of big tourism lobbies," Jordi Elgström, from the Eixample Respira platform, said.
Announcing the protest, organizers also criticized that the show has the support of the Catalan government and the city council.
"They are selling the city in front of our faces," he said.