Formula 1 Spanish GP
F1 urges Spanish GP to fix 'unacceptable' traffic issues
Formula 1 has labelled the Spanish Grand Prix's crowd management issues as "not acceptable" and has urged the local promoter to address the problem for next year.
Filip Cleeren
Edited: May 24, 2022, 1:58 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya announced it had been sold out for the 2022 edition of the race after going through two COVID-19 years with limited attendance, stating 300,000 flocked to the Barcelona venue across the weekend.
But soon enough it became apparent the venue wasn't prepared for the sell-out crowd, with larges queues forming around the limited food and drinks concessions and toilets.
Particularly on Saturday and Sunday, the severe congestion on the access roads around the circuit ground traffic to a halt, with fans then struggling to find parking space. The small Montmelo train station also struggled to transport fans to and from the city centre during peak hours.
The crowd problems were made worse by the heat, with Catalonia experiencing its hottest week of the year so far as temperatures soared above 35 degrees on the weekend, leaving many fans to brave the weather without adequate provisions.
Social media channels were flooded with fans voicing their displeasure, with some even suggesting they wouldn't return for race day despite having bought a ticket.
Hours after the race, F1 released a statement calling the congestion issues "not acceptable", urging the organisers to put a plan in place to avoid a similar meltdown next year.
"The huge number of fans at this event both inside and outside the circuit created the traffic issues for the fans," an F1 statement said.
"We have made the promoter aware that this is not acceptable and must be fixed for next season."
Read Also:
- Ferrari: No warning of Leclerc's "sudden" Spain F1 engine failure
- Verstappen: Spanish F1 GP Turn 4 error "really caught me by surprise"
- Hamilton: I could have fought the Red Bulls in Spanish F1 GP
Several parts of the Montmelo circuit had been renovated for this year, but some of its key spectator facilities have remained virtually untouched over the years.
As the site of Max Verstappen's first-ever Formula 1 win and a popular tourist destination, the Spanish GP has seen a surge of Dutch fans travelling to Catalonia in recent years.
Carlos Sainz' improved results with Ferrari and Fernando Alonso's comeback have also seen local fans find their way back to the venue, which has been hosting F1 races since its inception in 1991.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ferrari: No warning of Leclerc's "sudden" Spain F1 engine failure
Next article Leclerc feeling better after Spain F1 DNF than Miami second place
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Filip Cleeren
Audi pays tribute as F1 stalwart Beat Zehnder set for exit
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
13 h
Audi pays tribute as F1 stalwart Beat Zehnder set for exit
George Russell predicts key Ferrari "advantage" at F1 Mexican GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
14 h
George Russell predicts key Ferrari "advantage" at F1 Mexican GP
Latest news
What's behind "absolute nonsense" Oliver Bearman contract rumours
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
10 min
What's behind "absolute nonsense" Oliver Bearman contract rumours
F1 Mexico GP: Follow FP2 with live timing
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
48 min
F1 Mexico GP: Follow FP2 with live timing
F1 Mexico GP: Charles Leclerc beats Kimi Antonelli to top FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
F1 Mexico GP: Charles Leclerc beats Kimi Antonelli to top FP1
What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe