Lewis Hamilton has expressed concern at the announcement that the British Grand Pwill host more than 140,000 spectators this year. The Formula One world champion believes the decision to allow a full-capacity crowd at Silverstone may be premature given the recent rise in coronavirus cases across the UK.
It fears British racing fans may be being used as test cases and has questioned the confusing messages coming from the government. Silverstone confirmed on Thursday that it had got the green light for approximately 141,000 fans to watch the British GP, surfacing the way for the biggest UK crowd since the start of the pandemic.
In order for the race to go ahead, all attendees will have to conform to strict protocols, which Silverstone has confirmed will include a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of arrival or full vaccination.
When informed of these rules, Hamilton was indisputable that it did not change his opinion on the matter. “No, it’s been great that we’ve had people even at the last race and I have not heard any negative things from the last race,” he said. “But I like to err on the side of caution and slowly build up rather than go full pelt and using our British fans as a test pen.”
This weekend’s Styrian is ready to welcome 15,000 fans GP at the Red Bull Ring but next week’s Austrian GP at the same venue is planned to be the first to host a full capacity crowd of approximately 60,000 since the pandemic began.
