Hungarian Method 1 journalist Károly Méhes reminisces about his first journey to the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya in 2000.
Photos: © Károly Méhes
The beginning of the 2000 Method 1 season introduced three pole positions for the McLaren of Mika Hakkinen and three dominant victories by Michael Schumacher within the Ferrari, however an early-season slot for the British Grand Prix introduced the primary non-Ferrari win when David Coulthard gained his dwelling race for McLaren. The scene was set for an additional thrilling duel between the 2 high groups in Barcelona.
I’d been provided a free flight wherever in Europe by a pal and fellow F1 fan, who labored for the Hungarian flag service Malév, now lengthy departed (bankrupt). I’d chosen Barcelona because it was the furthest away from my native Hungary. I had a nice flight within the first-class cabin, arriving on the Wednesday earlier than the race. After checking into my small resort on a facet avenue off La Ramblas, I noticed that I nonetheless didn’t understand how I might get to the observe. Renting a automobile was past my price range and I’d heard that the general public transport dropped you off miles from the circuit gates, to not point out the accreditation middle the place my Paddock Go was ready.
Strolling the streets of downtown Barcelona, I noticed the top workplace of La Vanguardia, a every day newspaper. Perhaps a fellow journalist can be prepared to assist me out? I entered the foyer and requested the receptionist to summon the top of the game division, explaining {that a} Hungarian F1 journalist was keen to talk with him. The boss understood my downside instantly and summoned their F1 correspondent, Raymond Blancafort, who was informed to be my driver for the weekend. A number of years older than me, Raymond was glad to help and we agreed to satisfy in entrance of the newspaper head workplace the subsequent morning.
Although his English was somewhat imprecise and my Spanish non-existent, I discovered rather a lot from Raymond on our rides to and from the observe that weekend. I discovered rather a lot about Catalonia, and the Catalan’s indomitable spirit, in addition to their language – together with the right strategy to pronounce the title of native driver Pedro de la Rosa (Ro-sh-a) who was driving for Arrows on the time. I’m fairly positive that Raymond additionally launched me to a younger Fernando Alonso, whom he praised as an distinctive expertise. Apparently, these within the know in Spain had been hoping to see him in Method 1 quickly, as the opposite Spanish drivers on the time, de la Rosa and Marc Gené, weren’t thought-about high abilities.
The large information on the observe centered round David Coulthard, who had survived a airplane crash in France (alongside along with his girlfriend) just a few days earlier that had claimed the lives of each pilots. Since DC had solely minor bruises, medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins gave him the all-clear to participate within the race. How the Scot was feeling emotionally and mentally is one other query, although F1 drivers do appear to have an virtually super-human potential to concentrate on the job at hand.
Circuit de Catalunya was a brand new circuit for me and impressively fashionable, particularly compared to older tracks like Imola. It had solely opened 9 years earlier and featured state-of-the-art buildings, grandstands and services. The working days of an F1 journalist are lengthy, so it was normally previous 7pm by the point that Raymond collected me to return to Barcelona, the place my second shift of the day started – as a vacationer. I loved strolling the streets of the Gothic district and consuming tapas. Much less pleasant was the interrupted sleep because of the rowdy couple within the resort room subsequent door, who appeared to spend the whole time quarreling loudly or having intercourse, additionally at quantity! Fortunately, the free earplugs I had picked up from one of many workforce motorhomes helped drown out the noise.
The apply and qualifying periods confirmed expectations. The Ferraris and McLarens had been on high and Schumacher took pole. McLaren loved higher race tempo nevertheless, and Mika Hakkinen led dwelling teammate David Coulthard for a 1-2 as Michael Schumacher fell to fifth.
Raymond Blancafort drove us again to Barcelona later that night time and we turned associates within the following years. He helped me to get some interviews with Alonso after he arrived on the F1 scene the next yr, and likewise received me entry to a number of media periods with the Spanish star when solely chosen media had been invited. Barcelona has turn into a agency favorite of mine through the years… particularly for pre-season testing when just a few days within the Spanish solar was a welcome reduction from the chilly winter in Hungary.
