The British Grand Prix has become one of the most popular races on the Formula 1 calendar, thanks to the championship’s current boom, and has been boasting sold-out crowds since fans returned to the sporting events last year after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year’s race, won by Carlos Sainz for Scuderia Ferrari, saw a record attendance of 400,000 spectators over three days, exceeding the 100,000 mark for each day of racing. But in an effort to offer fans even more races during their time on track, the Silverstone boss is looking for a solution to extend the British Grand Prix to four days of track activity.
Even if the format of the Formula 1 race would remain the traditional one, between Friday and Sunday, making the track available on Thursday would give more space to the support categories. A similar approach has been taken for the Australian Grand Prix, which takes place over four days of track activity to include series such as Supercars, Porsche Carrera Cup and S5000 on Thursdays.
“We are looking at extending the weekend,” Silverstone chief executive Stuart Pringle said on the main stage at Autosport International in Birmingham on Thursday. “I’m working hard with Formula 1. I think they need to change the format of the weekend. They say, ‘Oh well, it’s the FIA, they have to do systems testing and everything’ – well, do it a day early.” – he pointed out.
“We do something on Thursdays. There are a lot of people who want to come and see things, and three days is not enough. Let’s make it such that it is the best part of a festival week. People show up at Silverstone on Tuesdays, mount their tents and that’s it, they’re already in.’
According to Stuart Pringle, this year’s British Grand Prix is effectively a sell-out, apart from some ‘full-price’ tickets, in keeping with the trend of the current Formula 1 boom, which has resulted in full attendance at most of the races. The circuit has been working for several years to ensure a wider offer for fans attending the race weekend, including a greater emphasis on musical events once the action on the track has finished.
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The Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits acknowledged that there had been a huge change regarding the interest for the event from previous years, when the future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone even appeared to be in doubt, lauding the approach of Formula 1 owners, Liberty Media, from when they acquired the series in 2017.
“It’s a given that Sundays are sold out,” Stuart Pringle said. “A few years ago we sold out on Saturdays, and now we’re almost there on Fridays too. That’s where the profit is made. And if you don’t make a profit – Mr Ecclestone – you can’t reinvest in infrastructure”.
“Silverstone is creaking and groaning, because the BRDC has failed to make a profit from the grand prix for 40 years. Now, I am pleased to say that the owners of Formula 1 have a reasonable view: it is not in their interest to squash the promoter, and they acknowledge that the BRDC invests all its money in the facilities” – Stuart Pringle continued – “If we provide better facilities, we get a better experience for the fans, and if it’s better for the fans, it’s better for the league as a whole, and everyone benefits.” – the Silverstone chief executive concluded.
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