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British GP organisers “lacked self-confidence” prior to Liberty Media F1 takeover

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After the US company bought out the championship in 2017, it launched a fan satisfaction survey of those who took part in the race. The British round topped the table every year except 2020, when COVID-19 forced the event to be held behind closed doors.

From 2014 to 2021, recorded weekend attendances at the British Grand Prix range from 340,000 to 356,000. But the 2022 edition increases that to a three-day total of 401,000.

Previously, Silverstone’s understanding was that a third of ticket holders would buy again the following year, making it an annual draw for the majority of spectators.

With the retention rate now at 89%, race organizers say they have reconsidered the importance of the GP to the UK, providing a new level of confidence.

Silverstone general manager Stuart Pringle told Autosport: “The circuit has hosted grand prix for many years. Maybe a few years ago we lacked a little confidence.

“We don’t really appreciate how good we are, how loyal our fanbase is, how ingrained it is in the sports culture of our country. But we’ve come to recognize it objectively.

“With the help of Liberty’s survey of fans, it’s given us a lot of feel-good factors to know we’re doing well and seeing it show in our rebooking numbers.

“Fundamentally, we have a great core product.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13

Photography: James Sutton / motorsport pictures

Unable to affect the track schedule and F1’s competitiveness, Silverstone has booked headliners Calvin Harris and The Black Eyed Peas to help with the 2023 fan experience.

Pringle added that the efforts meant Red Bull’s dominance in the current campaign did not necessarily pose a significant threat to the popularity of the British Grand Prix in the future.

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He said: “The only part of the weekend content that we control is what happens on the main stage. Everything else, everything on the track, comes from Formula 1.

“It’s a risk if the title is a snooze feast because one team dominates and has dominated for years … but we were snapped up before the season started.

“(Red Bull’s 100 per cent winning record this season) has had no impact. The impact will be in 2024.

“We want the season to be vibrant. But if the British GP is a carnival in itself, that should give us some security.”

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Exit for Leclerc in Q1 after issues; start from last row of the grid in Spain

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Charles Leclerc will start from the last row at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. The Monaco native reported a problem with his Ferrari and did not get past the 19th in the first quarter. Sergio Perez was lucky. The Red Bull racer progressed into Q2 in 15th and last.

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First red flag in Spanish qualifying: Bottas and Albon into the gravel

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The first red flag was the fact of qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. Alexander Albon and Valtteri Bottas simultaneously slid into the gravel at different points on the track. Both drivers were able to keep going, but race control had waved the red flag.

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F1 LIVE | FP3 resumes in Catalunya after Sargeant spins in the rain

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The third and final free practice session is about to begin. Now is the time to make final preparations for the Spanish GP weekend. With the GPBlog live blog, you will never miss any action at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

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