Home of the Spanish Grand Prix for decades, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is Formula 1’s ultimate reference track and the spot for winter testing. As of 2026, the track has become the home of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
At Barcelona-Catalunya you get a fast, flowing lap with a little bit of everything: An epic main straight, heavy braking into Turn 1, long and speedy corners that punish tyres, and a new stop-start final sector.
For drivers, it’s about managing the car’s balance, tyre wer and those G-forces through extended corners.
For spectators, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya seating plan has a long line of grandstands (also known as “Blocks”). These are followed by seating areas on some extremely fast sections, as well as a few premium hospitality areas around the pit lane.
Main Grandstand at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: On the start/finish straight opposite the pit lane and garages.
View: The prime seats at Barcelona-Catalunya, and some of the best motorsport tickets money can buy.
You get all of the tense grid build-up, pit stops, team radio drama and the charge for the chequered flag. This is the most central of a string of grandstands on the start/finish straight.
Off in the distance, you should also see cars arriving at maximum speed and peeling off toward Turn 1.
Perfect for: Fans who want all the theatre of the race starts and by far the biggest sense of occasion.
Driver Quote: “On the straight you hunt for the cleanest strip of tarmac because any extra scrubbing costs top speed.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand J at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Location: Main straight, a little closer to the Turn 1 approach, just after the pit exit.
View: Cars will zoom past flat-out, and then to the left you’ll see them use their brakes for the first time in the lap.
It’s essential that drivers get this right, and spectators will be able to see who’s on top of their game at this crucial first turn.
From these seats you’ll feel the speed build and then watch the field bunch up as drivers set up the opening corners. Later in the race you’ll see teams’ pit strategies play out as cars rejoin the straight.
Perfect for: Start-line atmosphere plus the tension of Turn 1 braking.
Driver Quote: “Early in the lap the whole focus is braking point and decelerating cleanly without locking.” Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Grandstand K at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Main straight, in that string of blocks/grandstands feeding into Turn 1.
View: A fun mix, as cars flash past and then jostle for position as they prepare to enter Turn 1.
This is arguably the best opportunity to overtake at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. So these seats are good for seeing who’s attacking and who’s being cautious on lap one.
Perfect for: A main-straight seat that still feels connected to Turn 1 drama.
Driver Quote: “Turn 1 is a big braking zone. The lap starts with a statement.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand E at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Main straight, on the run towards Turn 1.
View: The cars look incredibly fast here. Also, because you’re near the end of the straight, you’ll often sense the slipstream effect as cars close up before braking.
Perfect for: Straight-line speed, dramatic race starts, and the compression on the first corner.
Driver Quote: “The straight isn’t nothing. Tiny choices about where you place the car can be worth real lap time.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand F at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: End of the main straight, right on top of that sharp right-hander at Turn 1
View: At this point the race begins in earnest, as the field picks its way through a testing right, leading directly into a left-hander at Turn 2.
From Grandstand F you get the ideal perspective on the drivers’ lines through these vital opening turns.
Perfect for: Fans who want the first taste of technical driving at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Grandstand A at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Turn 1 and Turn 2 complex.
View: This is another opportunity to overtake at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Cars arrive at top speed, stand on the brakes, and narrow into a tight opening sequence. Even if passes don’t always come off, this is one of the best places to see those duels being set up
Perfect for: First-lap chaos, late-braking, and seeing who’s brave under pressure.
Driver Quote: “You brake hard and avoid the kerb if it’s too aggressive because it can throw the car off-line.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand T1 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Focused on the Turn 2 exit (with a slightly different angle from A).
View: You’ll often get a better sense of how drivers connect Turn 1 into Turn 2. At this point you’ll see whether they sacrifice entry to set up the exit, or commit to a narrower line.
These Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya tickets are great for watching all the race’s subplots begin to unfold, as drivers defend their position or try to duck in front.
Perfect for: Seeing the opening corner sequence as a whole, as cars accelerate towards the long, sweeping Turn 3—the circuit’s signature corner.
Driver Quote: “The early corners are about feeling the tyres and not over-sliding the front. Small mistakes snowball quickly.” Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Grandstand L at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: In the early lap sector, on a hill where you get an all-encompassing view of those initial turns as well as Turns 4 to 6.
View: This is where Barcelona starts to look deceptively fast. Cars have to cope with incredible mid-corner speed. From Grandstand L you can see how stable (or ‘floaty’) each car is in sustained lateral load.
Because they showcase a lot of the track, and pure driver skill, we rate these as some of the best seats in the Formula 1 World Championship.
Perfect for: People who want multiple sightlines of the track, with the chance to follow individual cars for more than just a split-second.
Driver Quote: “Long corners demand you manage front-tyre slide. Once it starts, it tends to build.” Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Grandstand M at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Location: Inside the circuit, near Turn 5, watching the transition from Turn 4 to Turn 6.
View: A brilliant seat for gauging the flow of the race. You’ll see the cars change direction and battle for some traction. They need to find a balance between patience with aggression through a sequence that rewards precision more than heroics.
All the while the G-forces rise to levels that make it a challenge for drivers just to keep their eyes on the tarmac.
Perfect for: Fans who want to understand how the world’s greatest F1 drivers control their cars through a whole sequence of corners.
Driver Quote: “You feel the G-force build and the front tyre wanting to slide. The trick is staying smooth.” Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Grandstand S at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Mid-lap grandstand heading into the extremely demanding Turn 9 where a car’s balance really shows and drivers continue to fight immense G-forces.
View: You’ll see drivers positioning the car for the apex, managing traction because they’ll need all the momentum they can get on the back straight and DRS zone.
Perfect for: Fans who like watching technical driving rather than just the usual overtaking spots.
Driver Quote: “In these linked sections, you want straight-line braking and traction as much as possible. Don’t waste grip doing two jobs at once.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand N at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: In the middle sector, with sightlines over Turn 9 where drivers are constantly balancing grip, tyre temperature and speed.
View: You’ll watch drivers carry speed into one of the fastest turns in Formula 1, and may also catch some overtaking as the cars bunch up around Turn 10.
As the race goes on, it’s a great place to spot who’s managing tyre wear well. Some cars will look tidy and planted, while others will begin to slide and overheat the rubber.
Perfect for: Fans who enjoy a mix of skill and pure speed, seeing how different cars behave over multiple laps.
Driver Quote: “Try to never overslide the front tyre, because that can snowball quite a lot.” Calros Sainz, Jr.
Grandstand B at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Around the outer circuit portion, with a blend of sustained speed and intricate line choices.
View: You’ll see the field fly past from this on a long arc through the kink on 11 and around Turn 12. Sometimes, duels for positions that begin around Turn 10 will be resolved in this sequence.
There’s minimal margin for error, and that addictive feeling of cars almost defying the laws of physics with their traction
Perfect for: F1 fans who want high speed and photo opportunities.
Driver Quote: “In fast corners, it’s easy to miss the apex. The car is loaded and you’re fighting precision at speed.” Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Grandstand G at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Location: High-speed outer sector grandstand area (the circuit’s faster, more committed corners).
View: This is where Barcelona looks spectacular. Cars arrive fast, load up hard, and the gutsiest drivers will be rewarded.
You’ll see confident driving, a lot of commitment, and occasional small snaps—a telltale sign that cars at their limit.
Perfect for: Pure speed, big cornering load and a proper sense of what modern F1 cars can do.
Driver Quote: “Some corners feel almost flat in qualifying, but the exit is blind. You go by memory and commitment.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand C at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Now a rather tricky approach to the new chicane from Turn 13 to Turn 15
View: You’ll see a pretty committed approach, as cars line up their entry to the chicane with masterful precision. Even from the stands, you can work out who’s overheating their tyres by how the car reacts to this testing sequence.
Perfect for: Watching highly technical cornering and seeing in clear detail why the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya can be brutal on tyres.
Driver Quote: “Some long corners are ‘easy flat’ in quali, but in the race they’re where tyre management becomes everything.” Nico Rosberg
Grandstand H at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Right by the new chicane at Turns 14 and 15, now the most technical part of any lap.
View: What used to be yet another juddering, high-seed turn at Barcelona-Catalunya is now a tricky dance through a chicane.
You’ll be watching drivers slow it right down, ride kerbs as cleanly as possible and then accelerate into Turn 16. This all-important sequence sets the tone for the final few seconds of the lap.
Perfect for: Appreciating the art of Formula 1 driving, as cars slow to a crawl before bursting out of the chicane and roaring into the final bend.
Grandstand I at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Late-lap sector, leading toward the start/finsh straight.
View: This is where drivers need a tidy exit following the testing new chicane in front of Grandstand H. At Grandstand I they’ll be looking to open up and launch onto the long run to the finish.
These seats are also directly in front of the entry to the pit lane, so you catch an exciting blend of drama from these seats.
Perfect for: Seeing a great lap time being made (or lost) in the final sector, especially during qualifying.
Driver Quote: “In the last sector and chicane, kerbs can upset the car more than it looks on camera.” Carlos Sainz, Jr.
General Admission Pelouse Sections at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Location: Inside and outside the middle sections at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya there are large viewing areas on raised embankments.
Here General Admission or Pelouse tickets give fans the freedom to roam the grassy areas around the circuit.
View: On quieter sessions you can sample different sightlines and find your favourite spot. This may include speed sections at Turn 3, Turn 6 and after Turn 9.
Or perhaps you prefer the braking zone at Turn 5, or a view of a technical corner like Turn 7 or Turn 10 where drivers put all their skill to the test.
Perfect for: Fans who want affordable Formula 1 tickets while exploring, whether they end up standing or sitting on grassy banks.
VIP Hospitality at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
For fans looking to experience the Spanish Grand Prix in luxury, with behind-the-scenes access, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya offers two standout premium options.
Both are positioned in exhilarating areas near the pit lane and start/finish zone. But they deliver very different types of VIP experience:
F1 Paddock Club Barcelona
Location: Directly above the team garages on the main pit building, overlooking the pit lane and start/finish straight.
Experience: The F1 Paddock Club is the most exclusive way to watch the Spanish Grand Prix. From a covered, climate-controlled suite, you’ll get to enjoy uninterrupted views of the grid, race start, pit stops and the battle for the chequered flag.
The experience includes gourmet dining, open bars, live entertainment and F1 driver and ambassador appearances, pit lane walks and guided track tours. It’s a true all-access weekend that puts you right at the heart of Formula 1 operations.
Panorama Village (Pit Exit)
Location: Trackside at the pit exit, with sightlines over the start/finish straight, Turn 1 and parts of the opening sector.
Experience: Panorama Village combines elevated race viewing with a relaxed premium atmosphere.
Set across a large indoor-outdoor complex, it offers air-conditioned lounges, terraces and balcony views covering a significant portion of the circuit.
Expect high-quality catering, an open bar, live music and easy access to fan zones. Panorama Villa is ideal for fans who want luxury and a world-class view of the action. You get it all, in a more social VIP setting without the intensity of full Paddock Club access.
Best Places to Sit at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Where you pick in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya seating plan has a huge impact on the kind of Formula 1 race that awaits you.
This is a wide, modern circuit with a couple of real overtaking zones, long sightlines and corners that reward both bravery and tyre management.
Many grandstands here allow you to follow cars through sequences and understand how a lap is built.
So the best seat for you depends on whether you value overtaking, raw speed, technical driving, or the theatre of the start and pit lane.
Below are some of the standout choices.
Best Seats for Overtaking at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Grandstands F, A and T1 (Turn 1 to 2 complex): This is the prime overtaking zone at the circuit. Cars arrive at maximum speed, brake heavily and narrow into a tight right-left sequence. You’ll see constant pressure, dive attempts and defensive lines, especially on lap one and after restarts.
Grandstand K (end of the Main straight): A fantastic spot for Formula 1 tickets, K combines straight-line slipstreaming with a direct view of the Turn 1 braking zone, making it one of the best all-round grandstands for scraps.
Best Seats for Speed at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Grandstands G and S (high-speed sector): These seats showcase modern F1 downforce at work. Cars are loaded hard through fast corners, often taken close to flat in qualifying. The sense of speed here is immense, and small corrections or snaps reveal who’s really on the limit.
Grandstand N (Turn 9 area): Turn 9 is one of the fastest corners in Formula 1. From N, you’ll see cars at their very limit, managing tyre temperature and balance.
Best Seats for Technical Driving at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Grandstands L and M (Turns 4 to 6): Here, navigating the track smoothly is better than being aggressive. You can watch drivers controlling their cars at high-pressure across multiple corners.
Grandstands C and H (new chicane): The updated final sector is now one of the most technical parts of the lap at Barcelona-Catalunya. These seats let you see cars ride the kerb, rotate at low speed and line up the crucial run onto the Main straight.
Best Seats for Start and Pit Stops at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Main Grandstand & Business Seats: These serve up the full Formula 1 spectacle, right in front of the chequered flag. If you want the ultimate Grand Prix weekend, you can’t go wrong in these seats.
Grandstands J and K: Ideal if you want all that start-line buzz but also a bit more of the race, as cars blast past before ducking into Turn 1.
Best Seats for Photography at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Grandstand G: Cars at maximum commitment and visible downforce load.
Grandstand F or A: Heavy braking with overtaking attempts.
Grandstand M: Direction changes and spectacular car movement through a sequence.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Seating Plan: Final Tips for Choosing Your Seat
As you can surely tell from our Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya seating plan, this is a large circuit. The walking distances between sectors can be significant, especially between the main straight and the outer sections.
So plan ahead and arrive early, particularly if you have tickets for General Admission (Pelouse) and want the best views.
Most grandstands are uncovered, and the summer Catalan sun can be a lot. Sun protection, water and hats are essential. Noise levels are high throughout but especially in the fast sections, so ear protection is also a sensible addition.
Wherever you choose to sit, Ticket-Compare.com helps you compare trusted resale platforms and official partners to find the right Barcelona Grand Prix tickets at the right price.
We currently have 1,672 Spanish Grand Prix tickets on sale, with prices starting from $276 in General Admission.
Seats in the main Grandstand start from $388, while Turn 1 and 2 views in Grandstand a begin at $282.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Seating Plan | Frequently Asked Questions
Do grandstands at the Spanish Grand Prix have big screens?
Yes, most grandstands at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya do have large TV screens in view. This is important given the size of the circuit.
Views at this track tend to be far-ranging, but the big screens will show pit stops, replays and battles elsewhere on track.
The main Grandstand on the start/finish straight has excellent screen coverage alongside views of the grid, pit lane and race start.
Grandstands along the main straight and into Turn 1 (such as J, K, E and F) are also well served, with screens positioned to complement the on-track action.
Most mid-lap and outer-circuit grandstands (including L, M, N, S, G and B) have at least one big screen visible from the seating area, though it may be set slightly further away depending on the terrain and angle.
General Admission (Pelouse) areas also benefit from shared giant screens placed around the circuit, but visibility can vary depending on where you stand and how busy it is.
If having a clear TV screen is a priority, main-straight and Turn 1 grandstands are the safest choice, followed closely by the permanent mid-lap grandstands.
Are grandstands better than General Admission in Barcelona?
For the majority of F1 fans, the answer is ‘yes’.
Grandstands offer reserved seating, reliable screen visibility and clearer sightlines across multiple corners.
General Admission can represent great value, but it requires early arrival and standing or sitting on grass banks with little shelter.
Is General Admission worth it at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?
Yes, especially on Friday or Saturday. The pelouse areas provide elevated views of several corners and allow you to roam.
When things are more relaxed it’s a laid-back and convivial place to be. For race day, expect crowds and plan to arrive early to have a hope of claiming the best spots.
Are the grandstands covered at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?
Most grandstands at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya are uncovered. The majority are open-air, so spectators are exposed to sun and the occasional rain shower throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
That said, there are limited exceptions. The main Grandstand has a curving roof that offers shade and some protection from the elements.
However, almost all other grandstands around the lap, including Turn 1, mid-sector and outer-circuit stands, are uncovered.
| Section | Blocks | Block Count |
|---|---|---|
| Business Seats | businness businness | 1 |
| Main Grandstand | main main | 1 |
| Paddock Club | paddock paddock | 1 |
| Panorama Village | panorama panorama | 1 |
| Pelouse | pelouse, pelouse-jove pelouse, pelouse-jove | 2 |
| Sectors | a, b, c, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, s, t1 a, b, c | 15 |
