The Circuit de Catalunya has responded to criticism over the playing of the Catalan anthem at last week’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The president of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation Manuel Aviñó Roger accused the race’s promoters of using the event to promote a “political message” by playing the anthem ahead of Sunday’s race.
Aviñó claimed the performance of the anthem was an “alteration of protocol”. However the circuit issued a statement stating both the Catalan and Spanish anthems were performed at every Spanish Grand Prix it has hosted.“Ever since 1991, the year in which the first Spanish Grand Prix was staged at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, both anthems have been played on the grid 14 minutes before the start of the race,” it said. “The procedure to play these anthems has always been the same: first the Spanish anthem, and then the Catalan anthem.
“During this opening ceremony, and ever since the first edition of the event, both flags are shown: the Spanish flag and the Catalan flag. In fact, a new format for the ceremony was introduced in 2015, on the request of Formula 1, with the attendance of authorities and the drivers at the head of the grid, in front of the flags, to provide it with more solemnity
The circuit owners pointed out Aviñó has been present on the grid during the performance of the Catalan anthem. “Last year Mr Aviñó attended the ceremony for the first time, as President of the Royal Spanish Motorsport Federation, and during the ceremony, both anthems were played and both flags were shown.”
“Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya wants to express and state that it has always shown the utmost respect towards the Spanish and Catalan symbols,” it added.
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Phylyp (@phylyp)
17th May 2018, 12:31
Ouch, the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation could have done with a fact checker.
Sonics (@sonicslv)
17th May 2018, 16:22
While at that also double check it with fake news checker and alternative fact checker.
anon
17th May 2018, 18:26
@phylyp, another poster in the earlier article about this suggested that, whilst the organisers did play both the Spanish and Catalan anthems, they chose to play a shortened version of the Spanish national anthem and a longer version of the Catalan anthem.
If that is correct, then it implies that a much more subtle snub was taking place – one that technically met the protocol of playing first the Spanish and then the Catalan anthems, but at the same time subtly giving precedence to one anthem over the other.
ColdFly (@)
17th May 2018, 19:06
I also noticed that the Catalan anthem was very loooooong.
And it’s a bit like the race; not super exciting (no offence).
Girts (@girts)
17th May 2018, 12:59
It seems that Aviñó wanted to be more Spanish than Mariano Rajoy.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
17th May 2018, 13:30
Must be a slow news day in Spain. #FakeNews
Duncan Snowden
17th May 2018, 14:27
The Spanish are their own worst enemies. Every opportunity that comes along to anger the Catalan seperatists, they plant their front foot right slap-bang on that rake, and whack!, up it comes. I said the other day I thought the podium ceremony was handled rather deftly, by avoiding any politicians at all. That was pretty smart. I never watch the stupid “solemn” anthem ceremony anyway, but honestly, if the FIA doesn’t object (and I’m kind of surprised they didn’t, given their obsessiveness over correct protocol) couldn’t they let them have that?
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
17th May 2018, 14:33
My girlfriend is Catalan so I distinctly remember her being surprised about the Catalan anthem being played the first time she watched the GP with me. But now they care about it… How funny!
GongTong (@gongtong)
17th May 2018, 18:17
Mine too @fer-no65 ! But even a bit of Catalan nationalism isn’t enough to get her to watch a Grand Prix with me =(
Shimks (@shimks)
18th May 2018, 10:40
I’d like a Catalan girlfriend.
Iosif (@afonic)
17th May 2018, 14:42
Maybe last year Mr Aviñó didn’t know what the Catalan national anthem sounds like. :)
Rui (@colinmcrui)
17th May 2018, 17:17
Mr Avino is the one performing a political move, not the circuit… I believe it is as simple as that.
petebaldwin (@)
17th May 2018, 18:19
@colinmcrui Spot on. If he mentioned it before the referendum, fair enough. If he didn’t, he’s using F1 to make a political statement which is against the rules.