Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle hopeful of capacity crowd at British Grand Prix

Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle remains hopeful that the British Grand Prix will be staged in front of a 140,000-capacity crowd.

The Formula One race, a highlight of the British sporting summer, is due to take place on July 18, four weeks after Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to end Covid-19 restrictions in England.

Sir Lewis Hamilton will this season be bidding to win an unprecedented eighth world championship.

This year's British Grand Prix is due to be staged on July 18
This year’s British Grand Prix is due to be staged on July 18 (David Davies/PA)

“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.”

Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle has not given up hope of a full crowd this year
Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle has not given up hope of a capacity crowd this year (Chris Radburn/PA)

Pringle revealed that Silverstone recorded its fourth strongest day of sales since last year’s British Grand Prix in the wake of Johnson’s address.

It is understood the track could also host a number of test events for the Government to trial new rules.

Hamilton won last year's race which was staged without spectators
Hamilton won last year’s race which was staged without spectators (PA Archive)

Pringle added: “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.

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

Pringle is hoping 140,000 fans can attend the race in July
Hamilton will hope to taste victory in front of home fans (Martin Rickett/PA)

“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 a 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.”

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