Oblivious to the movement of riders on their electric mopeds and scooters, mechanics, technicians, journalists and other fauna of the MotoGP paddock on a Grand Prix Thursday, the electronics, painting or welding operators continue doing their thing: accelerating full throttle to have The improvement works on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have been completely completed by June 20, when F-1 will land in Montmeló. A month before, the Circuit, with 33 years of life, is already dressed up this weekend for the Gran Premi de Catalunya wearing its best clothes: a new face more in line with a 21st century motor infrastructure, which wants to be world reference.
Guided by the strategic plan, the Montmeló facility undertook an ambitious transformation project in 2022 to become the most modern permanent motor equipment in Europe. “It was already a benchmark circuit, and now it will be one of the best stable circuits in the world,” says Roger Torrent, Minister of Business of the Generalitat and president of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
“A great effort has been made to modernize it and make the viewer’s experience more pleasant; “We are updating the Circuit and making it 21st century.” The grooming and updating – essential, after many years of simple sheet metal and paint – has cost the Generalitat an investment of 50 million euros in the period 2022-26.
If at the beginning of the multi-annual plan the paddock (asphalt and facilities), public services, pit doors or the lap marker were renovated, this 2024 the crown jewels have arrived: the comprehensive renovation of the emblematic control tower – larger, with a new layout, new briefing room, stewards and hospitality; the construction of a new roof of the pit building – which has been remodeled – with a visor over the garages and the elimination of the restaurant from the terrace; and, the great pharaonic work: the so-called rooftop, a walkway over the track, before turn 10, which connects the stadium’s grandstand area with the paddock.
It is an iconic infrastructure, inspired by the gigantic footbridge of the Shanghai circuit, but with more modest dimensions, 16 meters high and 35 meters wide, which houses exclusive hospitality spaces on its two floors, a passage area for people with reduced mobility, and a multipurpose space (on the upper floor) designed for presentations and company events. From the terrace you will enjoy a privileged view of the braking of Turn 10 (popularly known as La Caixa), the Estadi curves and part of the straight. This new iconic infrastructure of the Circuit was still under construction yesterday, with scaffolding in place, as seen in the images.
“These works allow us to consolidate the Circuit’s commitment as one of the best in Europe and the world,” says Oriol Sagrera, CEO of the Circuit de Barcelona, ??who concludes with these three pieces the most intensive period of investment in the facility. Vallesana (90%). “The objective is for it to be ready for this year’s MotoGP and F-1 GPs.”
For the next two years, “some small investments always included in this 50 million package” remain to be made, which according to Sagrera will affect “areas such as sustainability, acoustic screens, and areas of new hospitality.”
