Formula 1 calls on the Spanish GP to correct “unacceptable” traffic problems

The Barcelona-Catalonia racetrack has announced it was sold out for the 2022 race after two years of COVID-19 passed with limited attendance, saying 300,000 people flocked to the Barcelona venue last weekend.

But it soon became clear that the place is not prepared for sold out, around the limited concessions on food and beverages and toilets formed large queues.

Especially on Saturday and Sunday, serious traffic jams on the access roads around the chain of land traffic have stopped, and fans are struggling to find a place to park. Montmel’s small train station also has a hard time transporting fans to the city center and from the center during rush hour.

Problems with the crowd worsened due to the heat, and Catalonia had the hottest week of the year when weekend temperatures rose above 35 degrees, leaving many fans withstanding the weather without proper food.

Channels on social media were crowded with fans who expressed dissatisfaction, and some even suggested that they would not return on race day despite buying a ticket.

Hours after the race, Formula One issued a statement calling congestion problems “unacceptable” and urging organizers to develop a plan to avoid a similar crisis next year.

“The huge number of fans at this event, both inside and outside the track, created traffic problems for fans,” – said in a statement Formula 1.

“We have informed the promoter that this is unacceptable and should be corrected next season.”

Several parts of the Montmel track have been renovated this year, but some of its key spectator sites have remained virtually intact for years.

Being the first place in the history of Max Ferstappen’s victory in Formula 1 and a popular tourist destination, the Spanish Grand Prix in recent years has seen a surge in Dutch fans traveling to Catalonia.

Carlos Science has improved his results from Ferrari and the return of Fernando Alonso has also led to the return of local fans to the place where Formula One races have been held since its founding in 1991.