The 2023 F1 Silverstone Grand Prix saw tremendous footfall as fans defied all expectations and odds to come and see their favorite driver amidst complaints about Max Verstappen’s dominance. Surprisingly, this has happened even after the British GP organizers increased the price of the tickets up to 238% in the last five years. With over 80,000 fans joining the Silverstone event along with last year’s 400,000, the recently concluded GP has become the most attended F1 event in history.
Silverstone, being one of the major races on the calendar, often sees huge anticipation from fans and drivers alike. The renowned Copse, Maggots, or Becketts corners, or the Hangar or Wellington straights, this track has given birth to numerous racing history over the years.
Apart from this, multiple teams have their bases in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the presence of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and George Russell and their ability to push for podiums, had the fans flock in to support the home drivers. With this, the 2023 Silverstone Circuit race broke all the previous records and is the highest-attended F1 event now.
How did Silverstone GP become the highest F1 event?
Despite the huge surge of 238% in the last five years [the price of a three-day event at Silverstone back in 2019 was £180 ($231), compared to it, in 2023 it was £349 ($448)], Joe Pompliano on Twitter reported, “The attendance at this year’s British Grand Prix is 480,000.”
“That’s 80,000 more people than last year’s race, and it makes this year’s British Grand Prix the most-attended 3-day weekend in Formula 1 history. F1 continues to set records,” the Twitter post further stated.
James Vowles is feeling the love from the Silverstone crowd ❤️ pic.twitter.com/puKIqH5dbw
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 9, 2023
However, this has come right after Pompliano revealed earlier that F1 was dying to bring fans to the circuit due to his increasing dominance by Verstappen. For this, few fans even took the step to call out the media personality over his statements by saying that the United Kingdom and the United States is not the right parameter to judge a sport.
How dominant has Verstappen been lately?
With the latest win at Silverstone, the Red Bull star has claimed his eighth win of the season in ten races. As the Red Bull star extended his lead to 99 points, few fans were not exactly happy with the way how things have been with Verstappen.
Although they have nothing to do with the Red Bull driver’s victory, fans have complained that they do not like the way Verstappen has been so calm about the wins and showed little emotion after wins. Despite this, it does not matter if they like it or not, but the Dutchman is sure to stay on top for long.
Interestingly, the British GP saw a glimmer of hope as McLaren closed in on the top orders rapidly with Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari following suit. Even though overtaking Red Bull and Max Verstappen might not be possible any time soon, there’s a light on the other side of the tunnel.
