salute record Silverstone crowds

- record breaking 310,000-strong crowd enjoys “phenomenal” British Grand Prix

- 20,000 fans stay behind to see British legends at Grand Prix Party British drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton joined a host of British motor sport legends and current F1 drivers on Sunday evening at Silverstone’s  post-race Grand Prix Party, the circuit’s traditional finale to the FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX.

The Party, free to all ticket holders, took place after the last race of the day on a purpose built giant stage in the centre of the circuit. A record-equalling 20,000 fans stayed behind at Silverstone to continue the post- race celebrations.

TV broadcaster Tony Jardine hosted the evening’s entertainment and was joined on stage by a number of current F1 drivers and legends of British motor sport. All of the drivers received a heroes welcome, but the biggest cheer of the day was saved for Jenson Button, who leads the World Championship after finishing sixth in this year’s FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX.

Speaking  after  the  race  about  Silverstone  and  the  future  of  the  British  Grand  Prix,  Button  commented, “We’ve all spoken without saying a word. The last couple of races have not had many people, so to come here and see all these spectators…we don’t need to say anything. This Grand Prix is the most spectacular in F1. Monaco is special, but it is nothing like this. There has to be a GP here next year.”

 In addition to the British drivers, Jardine was joined on stage by British Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel and fellow F1 drivers Mark Webber, Rubens Barichello, Nico Rosberg, Kazuki Nakajima and Nelson Piquet. British team bosses Ross Brawn and Christian Horner also joined their drivers on stage.

Showing their support for Silverstone, at the Northamptonshire circuit’s final Grand Prix under the existing contract with Formula One Management, there were also appearances from a host of British motor sport legends, including former World Champions Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill OBE, as well  as  former  British  Grand  Prix  winners  Johnny  Herbert  and  David  Coulthard.  British  drivers  Martin Brundle  and  Derek  Warwick  also  joined  the  celebrations,  along  with  Coulthard  and  Brundle’s  fellow  BBC commentators Eddie Jordan and Jake Humphrey.

Silverstone attracted record crowds over the three days, including 85,000 on Friday, 105,000 on Saturday and  a  capacity  crowd  of  120,000  on  the  Sunday.  The  three  day  cumulative  crowd  of  310,000  was  the highest at Silverstone in 15 years.

Speaking  after  the  event  Richard  Phillips,  Managing  Director  of  Silverstone  Circuits  Limited,  said,  “The support for Silverstone and the British Grand Prix over the past three days - from fans, drivers and teams - has been overwhelming. The fans have a real affinity with Silverstone and the drivers love coming here. It’s a fantastic circuit. You just have to look at the attendance figures over the past three days, and Sebastian Vettel’s reaction to winning here, to see that Silverstone is a very special place.”

Commenting on the fans’ reaction after his first British Grand Prix win, the Red Bull Racing driver had said, “I regret a little bit that I am not an Englishman. I saw the crowd cheering at the end and I wanted to wave at them.” Phillips added, “We have the best fans in the world and I sincerely hope to see them back at Silverstone next year. There have been growing concerns over Donington Park’s ability to host the British Grand Prix, in 2010 and beyond, but comments over the weekend from Mr Ecclestone and the FIA have been reassuring. The support from fans over this weekend has undoubtedly had an impact on the way they are viewing the future of the British Grand Prix and Silverstone. We’ve said all along that Silverstone is ready to step in if Donington’s plans fall over, and that remains the case. Silverstone has never looked so good. This year’s British Grand Prix was phenomenal, one of the best run and well supported events I have ever worked on, and we’re hopeful that we’ll see everyone back here next year.”

A  number  of  high  profile  guests  and  VIPs  were  making  the  most  of  the  glamorous  occasion,  including footballers  Eric  Cantona,  Michael  Ballack  and  Michael  Carrick,  England  Manager  Fabio  Capello,  Olympic cyclists  Sir  Chris  Hoy  and  Victoria  Pendleton,  The  Duchess  of  York  Sarah  Ferguson,  cricketer  Kevin Pietersen, Jade Jagger, DJ Chris Moyles, rock band Kasabian, socialite Tamara Beckwith and TV presenter Vernon Kay.