At least 140,000 Forumla One spectatorspacked into Silverstone circuit to watch the British Grand Prix today in the biggest sporting event in Britain since the pandemic forced events to shut down.
The race at the Northamptonshire circuit is being closely watched as an example of whether sporting events can take place safely amid the pandemic.
It was allowed to go ahead as part of the third phase of the Government's Events Research Programme (ERP), set up to test Covid Passports.
In pre-Covid times, the British Grand Prix is normally the best-attended sports event in Britain and underpins a £2billion-a-year industry.
A total of 350,000 Formula One fans are estimated to attend over the course of three days this year amid temperatures of up to 91F, with Sunday expected to be the hottest day of the year so far.
At least 140,000 packed into Silverstone circuit to watch the British Grand Prix today in the biggest sporting event in Britain since the pandemic led to closed doors last year
The race at the Northamptonshire circuit, set to start at 3pm today, is being closely watched as an example of whether sporting events can take place safely amid the pandemic
Silverstone is part of the third phase of the Government's Events Research Programme (ERP), set up to test Covid Passports
In pre-Covid times, the British Grand Prix is normally the best-attended sports event in Britain and underpins a £2billion-a-year industry
Silverstone has worked closely with the directorate of public health in Northamptonshire and Public Health England to allow the mass event to go ahead.
The major sporting meet is being monitored by the ERP, which has also seen almost full capacity crowds gather at Lord's and Wimbledon earlier this mont.
The tennis championship became the first sporting event in Great Britain to be played in front of a full house this year on its Centre Court and Court No1, while Lord's saw 30,000 cricket fans gathered to watch the second One Day International match in the series.
Silverstone's managing director, Stuart Pringle, is adamant that safety procedures at the 550 acre outdoor venue have been rigorous, The Guardian reports.
A total of 350,000 Formula One fans are estimated to attend the event over the course of three days this year. Pictured: Red Arrows perform fly past
Event comes amid temperatures of up to 91F, with Sunday expected to be the hottest day of the year so far
'I have complete confidence in our ability to run this safely,' he told the publication. 'For all the challenges we have had with our finances over the last 18 months we are not the type of business that sticks its neck in the noose and rolls the dice, we would not do this unless we believed we could do it.
