Excitement ahead of this weekend’s FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2024 reached its peak today as drivers from F1®, F2™, F3™ and F1 Academy entertained thousands of fans in a spectacular roadshow and Fan Forum in Barcelona’s iconic Plaça de Catalunya.
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was the star of the show as he tore down the tree-lined Street in his Ferrari SF-23 and fans cheered on Alpine reserve driver and F1 prospect Jack Doohan, as well as Campos Racing drivers and Catalonia natives Pepe Martí (Formula 2™) and Mari Boya (Formula 3™), as they sped through the streets and performed donuts just meters from the excited crowd.
Fans lined balconies and rooftops to see the cars leave Ronda Universitat, head north onto Passeig de Gràcia to Casa Batlló before reaching Carrer Aragó and turning south to the start line.
After the car run, the drivers headed to the Fan Forum, where they were greeted by thousands of fans on the on the stage of the Fan Village in Plaça Catalunya, and answered questions and signed autographs ahead of the FORMULA 1 ARAMCO GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2024. Also taking part in the Fan Forum were Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, VCARB Team Principal Laurent Mekies and F1 Academy drivers Nerea Martí, Emely de Heus, Amna Al Qubaisi, Hamda Al Qubaisi and Maya Weug, as well as former F1 drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Marc Gené.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO and President of Formula 1:
“I would like to thank the forty thousand fans who came to support our drivers at the fan festival. The passion for formula 1 in Spain has never been stronger, and to see and hear the cars speeding down the Barcelona streets was very special. The atmosphere and energy the fans brought was amazing and it was a great way to kick off what promises to be an exciting Spanish Grand Prix this weekend”.
Carlos Sainz, driver for Scuderia Ferrari HP:
“It’s great to see so many people and so many fans following us. I hope I can dedicate a victory to all of them this weekend at the Circuit. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to win on my home turf, since last year we were very close but couldn’t bring home the win. Today has been something truly special, just a taste of the weekend ahead.”
Jack Doohan, reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 team:
“It’s wonderful to be in Barcelona, a very special city with a lot of ties to my father. The streets are amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the people are really into it. We’re going to do our best to put on a great show, plus I’m driving a fun car with a V8 engine. It’s awesome.”
Pepe Martí, F2 driver for Campos Racing:
“It’s absolutely fabulous that there are so many people here. I wasn’t fully aware of how many and, when I got out with the car, I was a bit blown away. Today is something unique, an unbeatable opportunity. I am seeing a childhood dream come true, and in fact I haven’t ever even driven my own everyday car on Passeig de Gràcia”.
Mari Boya, F3 driver for Campos Racing:
“The crowd is second to none, it was an amazing day and I was like a kid in candy store. I’m sure I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life. Now to look forward to the weekend on a track I think I could drive with my eyes closed.”
