British Grand Prix given green light for Silverstone full house

British Grand Prix

British Grand Prix given green light for Silverstone full house

UK government has given race all clear

Ian Parkes

Thursday 24 June 2021 13:10 Updated: 13:17

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The British Grand Prix has been given the green light to welcome a full-house crowd at Silverstone.

The July 16-18 race has been included in the latest phase of the UK government’s Event Research Programme [ERP] and will be able to welcome all ticket holders, with the venue set for a potential 140,000 fans on race day.

Silverstone bosses will now work closely with the ERP experts and the Director of Public Health in Northamptonshire on the specific conditions of entry that will enable the event to operate safely, with details to be announced shortly.

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GPFans Global understands all ticket holders will be asked for either proof of a negative lateral flow test, which needs to be taken within 48 hours of arriving at Silverstone, or to be fully vaccinated, with the second dose 14 days previously.

Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle said: “This is something we have all been working towards for months and I cannot wait to welcome a full capacity crowd back to Silverstone this July.

"Many of our fans rolled their tickets over from 2020 but they are now well placed to enjoy what is sure to be one of the highlights of the summer. “My thanks go to the culture secretary and his team at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for their tireless efforts on behalf of the sports sector.

'But also the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and the teams in No.10 and the Cabinet Office for recognising what an amazing, safe opportunity the British Grand Prix offers to show the world how Britain has dragged itself back on track following the fight against the pandemic.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added “It is fantastic news that Silverstone will be a full capacity event and it will be an incredible weekend with hundreds of thousands of fans being there to see our first ever sprint event on the Saturday and the main event on Sunday.

"I want to express my huge appreciation to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Secretaries of State, Oliver Dowden and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and Silverstone’s managing director, Stuart Pringle for their tireless work to achieve this great outcome.

"All of the drivers and the teams are hugely looking forward to Silverstone and we can’t wait to be there in July.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said "I'm pleased that Silverstone will be able to welcome fans back to their large outdoor site for the pinnacle of British motorsport. “Through our successful vaccine rollout and ambitious Events Research Programme we are continuing to make progress, and events like this will pave the way for everyone to enjoy live sport and culture together safely once more."