Ticket sales soar as Hamilton fever hits Silverstone

Grandstand seats still available for British Grand Prix after general access tickets sell out With less than four weeks to go until the 2007 FORMULA 1™ Santander British Grand Prix, 6-8 July, 

Lewis  mania  has  officially  hit  Silverstone.  The  young  British  driver  put  in  a  stunning performance at the Canadian Grand Prix to claim his first ever win in Formula 1, and the reaction from fans has had a dramatic impact on ticket sales for this year’s three day event.

The  Silverstone  website  and  British  Grand  Prix  booking  line  were  inundated  over  the  weekend and  on  Monday,  so  much  so  that  circuit  bosses  today  announced  that,  while  a  number  of grandstand tickets are still available, general access Fan Tickets have now SOLD OUT.  

Lewis Hamilton has captured the imagination of the British public in a very short space of time. There’s a strong feeling that he could be celebrating on the top step of the podium at Silverstone on 8 July. It’s been a record breaking start to the 22 year old’s first ever season in F1, but there’s one  more  record  British  fans  will  be  hoping  he  can  break,  and  that’s  to  become  the  first  ever British driver to win his home race in his debut season.

What’s more, with Hamilton now leading the points table, a win at his home race would be another giant step towards becoming FIA FORMULA 1™ World Champion.

While Hamilton is the man-of-the-moment, three other British drivers will be lining up on the start grid – Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson - and they can all look forward to a fantastic reception from the Silverstone crowd. Button in particular has had a disappointing start to this  year’s  campaign,  but  with  a  new  and  improved  car  widely  expected  in  time  for  the  British Grand  Prix,  he  should  be  heading  to  the  Northamptonshire  circuit  with  renewed  hope  and confidence.

Richard  Phillips,  Managing  Director  of  Silverstone  Circuits  Limited,  is  confident  that  the  Lewis effect, and overall support for all four British drivers, will result in the event being close to a sell out. Phillips  commented, 

“Ticket  sales  have  been  selling  steadily  since  the  start  of  the  season,  but demand  has  gone  through  the  roof  in  recent  weeks.  Everyone’s  hugely  excited  about  Lewis Hamilton and, after his success in Canada, there’s an even stronger feeling that he could win his home race here at Silverstone on 8 July. “The reaction to his win in Canada has been amazing. We haven’t seen this level of interest since Mansell-mania  in  the  late  80’s  /  early  90s.  The  Silverstone  website  and  call  centre  have  been bombarded, and we sold the last general access Fan Tickets this morning.

There are still tickets available  in  a  number  of  grandstands,  plus  £79  and  £139  Family  Tickets  on  the  Friday  and Saturday, but if we continue at this rate, the event will almost definitely sell out in advance. “There’s less than four weeks to go, so the message to fans is loud and clear - book now to avoid disappointment!”

Corporate  hospitality  sales  for  the  event  have  followed  a  similar  pattern.  95%  of  race  day packages are sold, while there are a number of great value packages still available for practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday. For   further   information,   or   to   purchase   tickets   for   the   2007   British   Grand   Prix,   visit silverstone.co.uk, or call 08704 588 300. Silverstone has also introduced Family

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday of the three day event. A family of four (two adults and two children) can now enjoy Friday practice for as little as £79, while a Family Ticket for qualifying on Saturday offers incredible value, priced at £139. Families are able to bring up to two extra children for an additional cost of £10 per child on the Friday and £20 per child on the Saturday. -