Silverstone gets green light to host capacity crowd

140,000 fans are set to flock to Silverstone as the British Grand Prix has been added to the UK government’s list of pilot events.

As first reported by The Telegraph, Silverstone will be allowed to sell-out their ticket allocation alongside the Wimbledon singles finals on the weekend of July 16-18 despite the UK’s ‘Freedom Day’ – the day where remaining Covid-19 restrictions are eased – being delayed by a month from June 19 to July 19.

As a result of that delay, it had been feared that the British Grand Prix would have to be a behind-closed-doors event for a second year running.

Having already lost out on millions of pounds in 2020, Silverstone officials warned the UK government of the dire financial situation it would find itself in fans were not allowed at the event.

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What has helped sway the decision to allow a capacity crowd to attend is the fact that most fans travel to the circuit by car, ensuring that public transport services will not become too congested, which would make social distancing measures very difficult to adhere to.

The other major factor working in Silverstone’s favour is the huge site they have to host the British Grand Prix. Coming in at 550 acres, it is the biggest sports venue in the country.

Also joining the British Grand Prix on the exemption list is The Open at Royal St Georges’ where 32,000 fans will be allowed to attend.

The Telegraph also report that rugby league’s Challenge Cup final and an England international cricket match were also close to being added to the crowd pilot list, but currently the capacity is still capped at 10,000 at each respective event.

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