Silverstone needs to curb “hugely expensive” F1 ticket prices – Hamilton

The Silverstone race is yet to sell out its full capacity ahead of July’s event, having achieved a total attendance of 480,000 last year across the grand prix weekend.

Although the circuit’s managing company puts this down to multiple areas: the post-COVID bounce losing its effect, changing habits among ticket buyers, and the dominance of Red Bull, the price of tickets has also been suggested as a factor by those seeking to attend the grand prix.

The remaining four-day grandstand tickets are all priced at about £600, with general admission in that span currently available for over £400.

Hamilton stated that ensuring ticket prices do not increase any further should be top of Silverstone’s priorities, and should also work on making it a more affordable event overall.

“I mean, it’s an incredible event. If you take it from a bird’s eye view, the whole event is…all the space is used up. So many fans come and have a great weekend.  

“The only thing I would ever say is that we have to watch ticket prices. I think they’re continuing to rise and the cost of living nowadays, I think it’s too high. 

“I’m just thinking from the perspective of a fan that would come with a family. It’s hugely expensive, so I think it’s looking into ways where you can make better accessibility for people.”

Silverstone chief Stuart Pringle had suggested earlier in the week that “it’s certainly been a lot harder with Red Bull dominating” to sell tickets, having been used to Hamilton’s success in the seasons prior.

“I don’t think it’s my fault. I mean, the F1 season is very exciting. There are a lot of teams fighting for wins now,” Verstappen countered.

“And if a promoter can’t fill the seats and they blame it on someone, then I think they first have to look at themselves, what they’re doing wrong. Because in other places it’s quite easy to fill.”