Great track for attending F1 testing, I've been 2 out of last 3 years (with Jerez in between) and am going again this year on 22/23rd Feb.
No problems with weather when I've been, but it's a cross-fingers job regardless.
Attendance figures seem to have risen since I've been going, perhaps it's the Alonso-at-Ferrari factor but also increased numbers of people going armed with cameras and hefty lenses.
No stands open on the inside of the track for general admission ticket (think it was €12 last year), they're all on the outside.
The entire main covered stand opposite the pits is open, so good vantage for that plus the practice starts on the grid that they do at the end of the first session before the lunch break and at the end of the day. Well worth it as the drivers sometimes give a wave to the fans.
Going clockwise around the track based on my previous trips (and assuming all stands are open as they were):
Turn one - open stands and you can get quite high up to see the braking zone and rear shots as they go up the hill through turn 2.
Turn three - there is banking on the outside of turn 3 which allows shots over the fence in parts as they run flat through here onto the short straight to turn 4. Interesting light early in the morning, especially if the track is damp.
Turn 4 – lots of people congregate here as it’s a 180o turn, fence tends to be bit high to shoot over though
Turn 5 – the hill is way above the track here, so good shots looking down as they accelerate out of this turn. Good for panning.
Turn 7 – you’re high above here as per turn 5, good for panning through the apex and the odd tyre smoke from a wheel lockup if you’re lucky
Turn 9 – stand is open here but I’ve never found it especially an especially interesting viewpoint
Between 9 and 10 – my favourite part of the track, a real elevated viewpoint so great for panning if up high and getting the exit out of turn 9 if down low towards the fence
Turns 12/13 – open seating here, the ‘right-hand’ end of the stand (towards turn 11) is popular for the head-on shot coming out of 10 and kink that is turn 11. Need long lens for that though
Turn 14/15 chicane – one of the open stands here is available, but better standing on the bank towards the pit entry to get head-ons of the chicane entry/exit
Turn 16 – the pit straight entry is poor for pics as you’re shooting through the fence.
A lot of people seem to gravitate between turn 12 and the main stand, I tend to start going clockwise in the morning and make my way around, having said that it’s never ‘busy’.
Not sure if you’ve been to testing before but if you haven’t don’t necessarily expect to see cars in close proximity on the track as it’s a rarity; they all run their separate programmes and often disappear for hours at a time depending on problems that may arise.
Oh, take earplugs!
I’ve taken my 80-200mm 2.8 (1.5 crop on D300) previously, also used a 1.4tc last year but not overly happy with slight softness. Looking at the images from last year most shots were taken at the long end of that combo so will be hiring a 300mm f4 for this year.
Easy to get to track from central Barcelona, about 30mins on the train and then about 25 mins walk from Montmelo station.
Hope this helps, any other questions just ask
Dave
