Formula 1 takes over Barcelona city center with thousands of fans amid protests
F1 drivers Carlos Sainz and Jack Doohan to drive around Passeig de Gràcia in Wednesday's road show.
Formula 1 has taken over Barcelona city center with a road show on the iconic Passeig de Gràcia boulevard.
Around 30,000 fans flooded the streets to see Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan among the names taking laps around the Catalan capital.
Amid the day's excitement, however, was an environmental protest, with some unhappy about the city center being shut down for an event part of a global motor sport that contributes to significant pollution to the atmosphere.
The event started at 6 pm on one of the most famous streets in the world, adorned by landmarks from architect Antoni Gaudí as a backdrop.
Wednesday's show was the first time F1 cars drove in the city center, organizers from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya said.
Catalans Pepe Martí, from Formula 2's Campos Racing team, and Mari Boya, racing on Formula 3 for the same team as Martí, were also driving at the event.
They drove in a circular track from Ronda Universitat Street to Aragó Street through Passeig de Gràcia boulevard.
Pedro de la Rosa, former F1 driver, also took part in the road show before joining his colleagues on stage from 7 to 8.30 pm at the Fan Village in Plaça Catalunya.
On stage was also F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and members of the F1 Academy, such as Nerea Martí, Emely de Heus, Hamda Al Qubaisi, and Maya Weug.