The roar of the Formula 1 single-seaters knows no budgets or ticket offices. Along Francisco Umbral street, while the interior of the official Madrid Grand Prix venue buzzed with luxury, the surroundings of the circuit transformed into a phenomenon of ingenuity and passion. Hundreds of people braved the heat armed with aluminum ladders, umbrellas as parasols, and lots of patience to watch the race from the outer asphalt.
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On the shoulders, roundabouts, and overpasses, the scene was unusual, because the folding ladders from storage rooms became second-tier stands. Among that sea of fans was Jaime Hernando, who carried his own ladder along with his two children. His testimony summed up the situation of many parents: “They are big fans, they don’t miss a Grand Prix, they are 13 and 12 years old, but I can’t afford it, so at least they can watch it from outside.” Shortly after, the children couldn’t contain their excitement: “Wow, dad, that’s Norris’s car, what noise they make!” they exclaimed on the first lap.
At the same time, fans like Jorge Yuste joined this small motor festival outside the Madring. Jorge is from Pamplona, but he took advantage of this weekend to visit his friends in Madrid, who live next to the circuit, and thus get as close as possible to what for him was his dream: “I really like Formula 1, my dream is to be able to see a Grand Prix from inside, but for now I can’t.” Nearby, young neighbors like Iker and David dragged chairs and stools from the neighborhood; despite not being able to afford a ticket due to high prices, they decided to take on the role of hosts of Valdebebas and lent their ladder to anyone who asked so that no one missed seeing the cavallino rampante pass by.
For many, watching the race from outside was not only an economic issue but also prudence regarding the circuit’s debut. In the blind spots outside, skeptical opinions were heard: “I don’t know if the first time will be a successful event or a total failure, better to be sure and see what happens.” With uncertainty about whether the circuit would be ready on time, many wanted to come just to observe and, apparently, were delighted with what they saw: “It’s amazing to see the stands and the road, the Monumental is impressive,” exclaimed Sara Acedo, from Leganés. Next to her, in the highest area outside the track, was a whole family who watched the cars while having some chips: “We’re not fans, but we live back there and this is the event of the year for us, we had to come,” said the father, Antoine.
The atmosphere had something of a popular pilgrimage and much of an international event. A group of young Italians, including Sofia, Lorenzo, Francesco, Riccardo, Cristian, Angelica, and Edoardo, from Calabria, Parma, Milan, and Rome, set up a camp like a picnic with sticks and cold cuts by the roadside. They explained with laughter that they were there because they liked Formula 1 but didn’t have money for tickets: “We’re totally Erasmus students, but we come to spend the day, to experience the atmosphere and cheer for Antonelli!” When they exclaimed this, people around them turned, because in the area it was almost an offense to answer any name other than Fernando Alonso to the question of their favorite driver.
As the day went on and the single-seaters left trails of speed, young people like Gustavo and Miguel, coming from Ecuador and other places, confirmed that there is a huge gap between TV and reality and that the outside atmosphere was incredible, even though Formula 3 sounded louder. In the end, under the scorching heat and after hours on an aluminum ladder, it was clear that true fandom doesn’t need luxury seats, but friends and the desire to enjoy.
