SILVERSTONE BRITISH GP SETS F1 ATTENDANCE RECORD AT 570,000

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will break the attendance record for a Formula One race this July, with organisers expecting to sell out the new capacity of 570,000 spectators over four days. The figure represents an increase of 50,000 on the previous record of 520,000 set at the Australian Grand Prix in 1995. Silverstone will become the largest event on the F1 calendar, with only Wimbledon attracting higher numbers in the UK summer across a comparable period.

The turnaround represents a significant shift from the situation a decade ago, when the British GP faced possible removal from the calendar altogether. Female attendance at this year's race accounts for 43 per cent of ticket sales, a demographic change that reflects broader shifts in F1's appeal. The "Landostand", a seating area dedicated to British driver Lando Norris, has been expanded to hold 20,000 spectators, with women comprising more than half of its audience.

Stuart Pringle, Silverstone's chief executive, stated that the track has successfully adapted to cater to a younger, more diverse audience. He highlighted that a near 50-50 male-female split would have been considered inconceivable ten years previously. Pringle attributed the venue's success to offering value across the weekend and attracting multiple types of fans, a strategy that has coincided with Formula One's growing popularity.