One can't get to Barcelona by train unless traveling via Paris or Madrid can be forced to make sense, so we ventured into the realm of low-cost European airlines: Vueling (Spain) out and Easyjet (GB) home. The tickets were dirt cheap and we were impressed! These airlines put the US carriers to shame...on time, no hassle, clean aircraft, friendly people.
Anyway, we've only traveled to the track from downtown Barcelona via car, and this time, we had to get there by commuter train. Someone on a blog said that RENFE's (the Spanish train operator) website is a nightmare to negotiate. It's true, and so is their train system. After a false start that landed us at a lovely major train station in Barcelona where we did not want to be, we did figure out how to get going the right way. Once in Montmelo, the nearest town, it's about a two-mile walk to the track.
The neat things about testing are that there's almost always someone on the track and and there's almost always no one on the grounds. We stood in areas we've never been to before because they're always covered with people during the race days. You'd think that you'd get to see some Formula 1 "people" wandering around, but no. As soon as the car goes into the garage, a screen is put up so no one can see in. This to prevent espionage, we suppose. Lots of fun though. We did see our favorites drive, and some of the newer drivers even did full race simulations, including pit stops.
See the weeds growing up through the seats in the photo below? They won't be there in May!
There goes Sebastian Vettel!
Perez (new to McLaren this year) hits the garages.
And Kimi Raikonnen, too.
