Some 400,000 people will descend on Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire for the Formula 1 British Grand Prix this weekend.
This year’s event is expected to break previous British attendance records, with all 142,000 race day tickets sold out in the shortest amount of time in the race’s history.
Last year’s British GP attracted 356,000 spectators across the weekend, with the race held as part of the UK Government’s Events Research Programme towards the end of COVID-19 restrictions in the country.
Stuart Pringle, the circuit’s managing director, told the BBC that qualifying had sold out by April. He also noted that the current cost of living crisis had not affected ticket buyers as they had purchased tickets much earlier, and that there was unprecedented demand for tickets this year.
He said: “The fans really wanted to get out after Covid, we were sold out on race day by January and Saturday [qualifying] by April.
“People really value this incredible weekend, it’s a chance to get together with family and friends. The on-track entertainment at Silverstone is always second to none, this funny old World War Two airfield actually produces fantastic races.”
The capacity for the race on Sunday was increased with extra grandstand seating to reach the 142,000 mark.
Earlier this year, the Australian Grand Prix also broke records for attendance, with 419,000 fans arriving in Melbourne across the race weekend.
Image: Spencer Davis on Unsplash