F1’s Spanish GP hits record 288k attendance

Last weekend’s Formula One Spanish Grand Prix achieved a record weekend attendance of 288,218 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

This was a marginal one per cent increase on last season’s attendance of 284,066, but it still represents a sign of Formula One’s growth in recent years. As recently as 2019, the Spanish Grand Prix managed an attendance of 160,428.

However, the race day crowd in 2024 actually fell compared to last year. 125,210 fans watched Max Verstappen take a thrilling victory on Sunday, compared to 125,565 in 2023.

There was a discrepancy in the reported attendance, though, as the official social media for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya reported a weekend attendance of 297,368. Either way, it represents an attendance increase for last weekend’s race.

• Claire Williams exclusive interview: Why she misses F1, watching Williams from afar, and providing opportunities for women
• The comeback trail: How Williams’ new commercial strategy is winning over sponsors

Overall, this is indicative of the year so far, with each race enjoying a marginal bump in attendance. In fact, the largest percentage increase this season was the three per cent jump enjoyed at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Of course, this is without knowing the official figures for the races in Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Imola, and Monaco. The absence of an attendance number is usually an indication of poor performance, outside of the Monaco Grand Prix’s annual average of around 200,000.

It will be interesting to see how the Spanish Grand Prix develops after its impending move to Madrid, which has a ten-year deal to host the race from 2026. The expectation is that more than 110,000 fans per day will be able to attend, rising to 140,000 within the first half of this contract. 

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has two more races in Formula One under its contract – the last of which will run under a different name, possibly the Catalan Grand Prix.

BlackBook says...

It's fair to say that Formula One attendances are stagnating. After all, exponential growth is only possible for so long – circuits have an unavoidable capacity.

Still, that shouldn't distract from a deepening issue around the affordability of Formula One races. A great example is the upcoming British Grand Prix, which is yet to sell out despite an exciting season developing.

Silverstone's managing director Stuart Pringle told Autosport this was because of Red Bull's dominance, but four different teams have been on pole position in the last four races.

Formula One is in danger of its alienating its core fanbase if this trend continues.