FanAmp's very own video editor and graphic designer, Ric Pacheco, spends his days behind screens crafting media for racing fans around the world, while his girlfriend, Andrea Gomez, works as an administrative assistant helping expats relocate to Spain. Though their day jobs couldn't be more different, both share a deep love for Formula 1. So when an inaugural F1 hybrid street circuit was announced right in their backyard, trading screen time for track time wasn't just exciting—it was mandatory.
For these Madrid locals, attending their home race meant checking off a major bucket-list moment. "It was our first F1 race, and let alone a new circuit," Ric says. "It was definitely on the bucket list—and boy was it worth it." Here is the real truth about what Ric and Andrea experienced during their maiden weekend in September 2026 at the Spanish Grand Prix sitting in Grandstand 6.
What Was Ric and Andrea's Weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix Actually Like?
Andrea kicked off her race weekend on Friday right after work, while Ric joined for the weekend action on Saturday and Sunday, relying on Madrid's public Metro system. "It was a couple-hour commute from where I live, but it's easy," Ric explained. "Once you get in there and take a look at the map, it's pretty easy to navigate. Signs were pointing out where everything was."
Inside the circuit, they sat in section GE02 of Grandstand 6, an uncovered grandstand located in the Distrito Zone at Turn 11. Situated right before the circuit's signature banked section—La Monumental—their direct sightline was relatively limited. You could really only see about a quarter of the corner right as the cars entered, followed by a short straight section before they disappeared. Fortunately, they had access to a screen in front of them meaning they could follow all the action as cars passed out of view and circled the track.
What the seats lacked in track views and frills, they made up for in proximity. The cars were roaring past roughly 20-30 meters away, viewed directly through the trackside catch fencing. That closeness meant front-row seats to unpredictable drama, including witnessing Oliver Bearman's FP3 crash unfold right in front of them.
While the action on track was thrilling, the blazing Spanish sun proved to be the weekend's biggest challenge. As they mentioned to me many times, Grandstand 6 lacked any covering, leaving fans exposed to direct sunlight, making staying cool and hydrated an absolute necessity.
"The seats didn't have a roof, and I had the sun on my face the whole time," Andrea recalled. Ric noted that the brutal heat forced fans to seek drastic relief: "People were getting up mid-race to go into the water zones and literally pour water on themselves just to refresh a bit. It was crazy."
Off-track, fans used a digital payment system called MAD-Coins. "It was essentially Euros, but easier," Ric explained. "You tap to pay with a bracelet to get food or enter activities."
When they weren't in their grandstand seats, they explored Distrito Zone, which included a Fan Zone complete with a pit stop challenge activation and F1 simulators, as well as a giant Ferris wheel. Ric's personal highlight was riding said Ferris wheel high above the fan zone, seeing the street circuit winding through Madrid with a sea of Aston Martin green in the grandstands. "Getting to see the whole circuit from above," Ric started. "It was unreal. I was speechless.”
Author's note: check out our Spanish GP Fan Zone guide for details on what fans can do during an F1 weekend in Madrid.
Speaking of the winding track, Ric and Andrea both loved the layout and its unique tunnels. "I was watching the screen as it was showing the driver's onboard camera," Andrea explains. "and then suddenly it's just pitch black, and they're just literally driving towards the light at the end of the tunnel. I thought that was crazy."
What Were the Stand-Out Moments—and Surprises—From Ric and Andrea's Race Weekend?
While the on- and off-track entertainment was extensive, the crowd's overwhelming energy for Spain's hometown heroes stole the show. Support for Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz was impossible to miss. "At least 60% of people were dressed in Aston Martin gear," Ric pointed out. "You could clearly feel the energy around and see the support for the hometown heroes."
Andrea felt that energy firsthand during Friday's second practice session when Alonso finally hit the track after early mechanical delays. "The first half, he couldn't go out... but the second half, people were so excited," she says. "Every time he went by, people were just so hyper. Everybody was clapping and cheering."
For Ric, the ultimate thrill was the sheer physical presence of the cars and drivers. For someone who spends hours every week editing race footage, experiencing the decibels and speed in person proved to be a massive sensory shock. The F3 cars felt noticeably louder and harsher on Ric's ears, and he noted that a large portion of the crowd relied heavily on ear protection to manage the noise. Then came the physical vibrations. “It's incredibly unique,” Ric said. “It's not like anything I've ever experienced on a standard highway, and I wasn't even driving!”
Then there were the moments up close with drivers like Max Verstappen during their Fan Forum stage appearances. Interestingly, the drivers on stage were virtually that same 20-30 meter distance away as the cars were from their grandstand seats. “Actually seeing the car and the drivers—it's like 'man, they're right there!'” Ric emphasized.
Even with so many great moments, the weekend wasn't without its logistical pains. The sheer volume of fans created massive bottlenecks between sessions. "The second F1 ended, everybody was out at the same time," Andrea notes. "The first time I tried to get something to eat, I stood in a line for like 20 minutes and it just didn't move."
How Much Did It Cost, and Was It Worth It?
With “final call” tickets in Grandstand 6 selling from the circuit for $720 (€626) each, and despite the long lines and scorching temperatures that were hard to escape from, Ric and Andrea found the weekend to be worth the price of admission and rated their Spanish Grand Prix experience 4 out of 5 stars.
Their only deductions came from crowds and the relentless Spanish summer sun. For Andrea, the 4-star rating simply came down to the logistical hurdles of dealing with overcrowding, making it hard to get food or access various activities. For Ric, the heat was the sole reason the weekend fell short of a perfect score. When people are pouring water down their backs to escape the heat rather than having shade, it takes away from the enjoyment and raises concerns for future races scheduled deep in the summer months.
For future racegoers facing a similarly unshaded track in summer heat, come prepared with portable mini-fans or hand fans, cooling neck towels, electrolyte packets, and hats to stay safe and as comfortable as possible.
"For the sake of the whole experience, not just the actual race, it was definitely worth it," Ric emphasizes. "Like I said earlier, bucket-list experience."
Let's Get You Trackside!
Want to know more? We've put together comprehensive guides to help you navigate the Spanish Grand Prix like a local!
Whether you're planning your trip to the Madring or looking to attend another race elsewhere in the world, we have race guides and tickets for F1, WEC, IndyCar, and beyond.
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