Silverstone boss defends Grand Prix ticket prices

The chief executive of Silverstone Circuit has defended the price of tickets for the British Grand Prix weekend.

A pass covering all four days of the event at the Northamptonshire venue costs over £400.

Stuart Pringle said the price was “good value” as it included both the racing and the live concerts.

He added that the circuit could break attendance records this year.

As he prepared for his last British Grand Prix driving for Mercedes, the seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton was reported to have said that tickets for the event were “hugely expensive” at a time when families were struggling with the cost of living.

With two days to go before the start of the meeting, a four-day pass was being advertised at £429 with a ticket for Grand Prix day retailing at £309.

Mr Pringle told the BBC: “It’s good value when you weigh up what’s included.

“Not only are you getting a world-class sporting event, you are getting a concert within the ticket price every night of the entire weekend.”

He added that there was “a comedy club in there, a second stage, there’s all the support races”.

He pointed out that many people had bought their tickets in advance at a reduced price, and the profits from ticket sales were put back into grassroots motorsport.

The admission price has not stopped thousands of fans booking their trackside place.

Mr Pringle said: “Ticket sales have been incredibly strong since George Russell won at the weekend in Austria [and] the tussle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

“It’s really captured the British interest.”

Last year saw a record number of 480,000 people descend on the Northamptonshire circuit.

“We are absolutely on target to at least match that, and possibly beat it,” he added.