Silverstone British Grand Prix to race on without fans

British Grand Prix

Silverstone to race on without fans

"We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible"

Sam Hall

Monday 27 April 2020 12:40 Updated: 12:55

Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle has confirmed that, should it take place, the British Grand Prix will be held without fans.

Plans are being made to hold multiple 'behind closed doors' Formula 1 races at Silverstone in 2020, and Pringle says that the decision to race without fans was put off until there was no alternative option available.

"I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year's British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone," said Pringle. "We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the Government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible. Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and Race Makers, and of course, you, the amazing fans, means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make.

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"We have consistently said that should we find ourselves in this position we will support Formula 1 as they seek to find alternative ways to enable F1 racing to take place this year. Following this weekend's news from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors. Should this be possible, it will be of some small comfort for you to know that the 2020 Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix will be available to watch live on Sky and Channel 4 [in the UK]."

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✍️An update from our Managing Director, Stuart Pringle about the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2020. pic.twitter.com/APIXq8F2OS
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) April 27, 2020

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has confirmed that the sport is considering proposals for venues to host multiple races in order to boost the number of races across the year.

Silverstone has confirmed that the British Grand Prix circuit is one of the venues under consideration for hosting multiple races and, with multiple different layouts available for use, the circuit could find itself high up on the list.