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Stupid assault in the vicinity of Spanish mountain ranges

Journal entry: Barcelona debut was mostly favorable, marred by an unfathomable attack where a stranger struck me without provocation.

Diary entry: Barcelona debut was satisfactory, disregarding the undeserved kick I received from a...
Diary entry: Barcelona debut was satisfactory, disregarding the undeserved kick I received from a stranger.

Stupid assault in the vicinity of Spanish mountain ranges

Barcelona - Canadian journalist Katherine Harvey-Pinard experienced an unsettling incident on her first day in Barcelona, as she was kicked by a stranger without provocation. While the incidence left her with a bruised finger, she is otherwise unharmed. The attack occurred on Wednesday evening as Harvey-Pinard, a staff writer for La Presse, was waiting for a colleague from Agence France-Presse on the street.

Harvey-Pinard was holding her phone to find her colleague's location when the assailant kicked her hand. The man appeared to be embroiled in an argument with a friend on the street, potentially using Harvey-Pinard as an outlet for his disturbance. She was fortunate enough to seek refuge in her hotel, thanks to the timely intervention of hotel staff who saw the altercation and swiftly locked the doors.

In Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, Harvey-Pinard's first day was generally positive. This coverage serves as preliminary work for her upcoming Canadian Grand Prix reporting, allowing La Presse to offer diverse and comprehensive content for readers. With the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, little more than half an hour's drive from Barcelona, Harvey-Pinard visited the venue after picking up her accreditation on Wednesday. Though the site seemed incomplete with employees busy setting up garages, team headquarters, and conference rooms, she was amazed by the efficiency with which the F1 village was transformed from Monaco to Barcelona in such a short span.

The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit resides in the small town of Montmeló, around 20 kilometers northeast of Barcelona. Established in 1991, the track has witnessed memorable moments, such as the riveting duel between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell and Max Verstappen's inaugural victory for Red Bull. Despite its rich history, the circuit's future as a Formula 1 host beyond 2026 remains tenuous, as negotiations to extend the contract are ongoing. The current agreement, which initially expired in 2021, was recently extended for five years[5]. However, the imminent introduction of a new Formula 1 race in Madrid in 2026 further complicates the issue, as Spain will host two Grands Prix that year.

On her return journey to Barcelona, an acquaintance offered to drive Harvey-Pinard to Santa Coloma to avoid a lengthy public transit ride. From there, she took the metro back to her hotel. The scenic route taken by her colleague, guided by Waze to bypass congestion, treated her to stunning panoramas. They traversed numerous small Catalan towns, with Martorelles standing out for its picturesque mountain and hill surroundings bathed in sunshine.

As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Harvey-Pinard eagerly anticipates the event. The future of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya beyond 2026 remains uncertain, as discussions to extend the contract continue privately[4]. Despite the ambiguity, both the racing community and fans hope that Barcelona will remain a staple on the F1 calendar.

Harvey-Pinard, being in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, expressed interest in exploring the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit's rich history in auto-racing, particularly the famous duel between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell. Having a passion for French sports, she also might look forward to French participation in the upcoming racing event.

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