British Grand Prix is designed to feel like 2019
F1 News
- GPblog.com
In 2020 two Grands Prix were held at Silverstone and this without the presence of the public. This of course because of the pandemic, but this year things look very different. It is expected that about 140,000 people will come to the actual race on Sunday and that is a bit like the old days, although of course the current measures will be respected. However, they want to recreate the feeling of the past.
Feeling of 2019
This is what the boss of Silverstone, Stuart Pringle, says when asked. Autosport.com. He indicates that the Grand Prix is on the English programme of investigations, so it serves as a test case to see how large numbers of people work under measures.
"So, we are legally allowed to run a normal looking and feeling event. Because that's the purpose of the research. To see what happens, to learn the lessons. What the government is seeking to do is to have a weapon in its armoury that it can deploy later in the year - particularly in the winter, when one might expect a resurgence of a virus - in order to keep sports events running."
He continued: "Particularly football this winter. Because of what it means to the country, because of what it means to the sports economy and the local economies in the country. So, it's entirely logical that they should want to - having done a series of different test events at an ever-increasing scale. It's entirely logical that right at the end of the restriction period, they should trial a large event at full scale. The base point is that this is designed to feel like 2019 and before."
Safe set-up
To attend Silverstone, a negative coronavirus test is mandatory and otherwise proof of full vaccination will suffice. That along with the measures in place ensures optimum safety, according to Pringle: "But, if it isn't safe, it won't be going ahead. And it won't be me deciding whether or not it's safe, it will be Public Health England, the Director of Public Health in Northamptonshire, and Her Majesty's Government and their scientific advisors."