Formula One fans have hit out at the high price of last weekend’s British Grand Prix as a reduction in cost for next year’s race was revealed yesterday.
Despite being this country’s biggest motorsport event, organisers were forced for the first time in nine years to sell tickets on the gate at Silverstone after low initial sales figures.
The cheapest Sunday ticket, at £145, was one of the most expensive on the Formula One calendar, with parking for the same day setting customers back as much as £60.
The price of the same Sunday ticket for the 2014 British Grand Prix has fallen to £127 as part of a ‘loyalty’ discount offer which hopes to win back short-changed customers.
Tessa Cooke, aged 31, from Somerset, said: “We prefer Goodwood. It’s far more interactive than Silverstone and nowhere near as expensive.”
A new race-day attendance record was set in 2012 when 127,000 people saw Red Bull’s Mark Webber win, but this year three teams, Marussia, McLaren and Williams, were forced to take to Twitter to encourage fans to purchase tickets.
Silverstone recently confirmed that 120,000 people made it to the track for last Sunday’s race day - the third highest attendance ever.
However, that difference could cause concern for Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits, given this year’s perfect weather and no repeat of last year’s parking fiasco.
Sebastian Vettel’s dominance was partly blamed for dwindling interest, along with the fact home favourite Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are winless in 2013.
Formula One organisers also had to compete with Wimbledon and Glastonbury festival, but some admitted no cost was too high for something they get to experience just once a year.
Damien Walters, aged 24, from Pembrokeshire, said: “I’d paid the same price for music festival tickets several times before and I was paying for something that I’m passionate about so it didn’t bother me.”
But he admitted he could understand the concerns of those who have, over the years, paid a lot to watch the British Grand Prix.
He said: “For me the price was fine because I absolutely loved it and it was my first time going, but I’d be a bit more vocal voicing displeasure at the prices if I had been a few times before.”
James Foster, aged 28, from Leicester had been to the Formula One at Silverstone many times before, but admitted the cost was just too much to justify a return in the future.
He said: “I will never attend the British Grand Prix again. I will go to Spa or Monza instead because at least I’m getting out of the Midlands for my extortionate ticket price.”
Mr Phillips heralded this year’s British Grand Prix an overwhelming success and said improved transport facilities enhanced the experience for many visitors.
A Silverstone spokesman added: “We believe British Grand Prix tickets are competitively priced and offer good value for money.
“We have had incredibly good feedback following last weekend’s event and tickets for 2014 are already selling well.”