PHG & the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix: Did you know?

2003 FIA Gala Dinner - PHG & Sebastian Salvado (RACC)

At the end of 2000, the Royal Automobile Club of Catalunya (RACC) called on Philippe Gurdjian’s experience and his know-how to organize the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, for a 3-year contract.

After a thorough assessment of the situation, Philippe Gurdjian made several proposals which included:

§  Sophisticated facilities

§  The construction of new grandstands

§  The addition of giant screens for spectators

§  The improvement of the signage and road access to the circuit

§  The implementation of an ambitious International communication strategy (including a new ticket sales strategy)

The 45th Spanish Grand Prix in 2001 was a very successful event with more than 90,000 spectators for 60,000 during the previous year.

For the 2002 Grand Prix and at the initiative of Philippe Gurdjian a 10,500 seat covered grandstand with a futuristic design was built.  This new grandstand, which is the biggest in Europe, is facing the pits and allows the spectators to comfortably enjoy the racing cars passing in front of them while observing the teams working from their pits.

This was only the beginning of the modernization of the Montmelo circuit, and Philippe Gurdjian’s clear goal was to make the Barcelona Grand Prix the most successful European circuit.

Despite of a difficult economic environment, the 2003 Spanish Grand Prix was again very successful with more than 96,000spectators on Sunday, and 250,000 spectators during the 4 days. Philippe Gurdjian’s work in Spain for the past three years was rewarded in December 2003 when the Spanish Grand Prix received the 2003 FOM Best Promoter Trophy.

Proud of this success, the President of the RACC, Sebastian Salvado, asked Philippe Gurdjian to extend his contract and to develop a new strategic plan.

On May 9th, 2004, Philippe Gurdjian organized his 20th F1 Grand Prix…, a unique experience in the Formula 1 world!

In 2005, his greater success was the Grand Prix of Spain with more than 115, 000 tickets sold and more than 350,000 spectators over the 4 days. The Grand Prix of Spain enjoyed under his influence an impressive growth going from 32,000 spectators in 2000 to more than 115,000 in 2005, the whole ticketing being sold out 3 weeks before the Grand Prix.

In 2006, the success will be even more important. All the tickets have been sold on February 15th, 2006. 113,000 spectators have attended to the qualifying session on Saturday, and on Sunday more than 131,000 spectators have attended the race on the circuit. The number of spectators was estimated up 331,200 people over 3 days. The Spanish Grand Prix 2006 knew the greatest success of its history and undoubtedly of the 2006 F1 World Championship.

In May 2007, the Spanish Grand Prix gained a colossal success with 140 700 spectators on Sunday May 13, and a total of 355,000 spectators over 4 days. This greatest European success was greeted by all the international press and the television channels of the whole world. 

After having modified the layout of the circuit by creating 3 new turns, the whole of the tickets were “Sold Out” as of on February 1st, 2008, and this for the 3rd consecutive year. Philippe Gurdjian celebrated in 2008 its 25th Grand Prix as a council, organizer or promoter.

14 years later, Philippe Gurdjian is still consulting the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix.

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Source: PHG U.K. Ltd