British GP full house "absolutely on the table" - Silverstone boss

Silverstone

British GP full house "absolutely on the table" - Silverstone boss

Silverstone hopeful of hosting 140,000 crowd

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 24 February 2021 11:27

Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle is hopeful the circuit will be able to host a full-house 140,000 crowd for this summer's British Grand Prix.

As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions in England, limited numbers of fans are to return to outdoor sports venues from May 17.

Providing all goes to plan, those numbers are due to increase over time, offering up the prospect of a significant number of spectators attending the July 16-18 race.

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At this stage, managing director Pringle is upbeat but also cautious. Speaking to PA, he said: "A full crowd is still absolutely on the table.

"Silverstone is not a tight stadium in the same way that a football stadium is or a tennis court. Our 70,000 grandstand seats are spread out over three-and-a-half miles.

"We have got a lot of space, we are absolutely an outdoor venue, we have a lot of entrances and exits. Anything is possible, but it has also been made clear it is far from guaranteed."

It has been reported that in the wake of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's address on Monday regarding the easing of lockdown restrictions, Silverstone experienced its fourth-strongest day of sales since last year's British GP.

Both that race and subsequent 70th Anniversary GP at the circuit took place behind closed doors, since when Pringle concedes times have been tough financially, and now he is eager to do whatever is required to ensure fans can attend this year.

"We have been hit with a double-whammy because the other side to our business is conferences and exhibitions, and they have not been able to happen either," added Pringle.

"We had one event only with fans in 2020, the Pomeroy Trophy last February, which was attended by less than 100 people.

"It has been extremely difficult. We have had no revenue, but have had all the costs of keeping a 550-acre site licensed, serviceable and capable of coming back.

"I want the 2021 British Grand Prix to take place with the largest number of fans attending as possible. That is hugely important to Silverstone so we will do whatever it takes to play our part in proving it is safe to do so.

"I see strong pent-up demand for that from the public. They absolutely want to come so we have to create the environment where they are able to do so."