2021 British Grand Prix preview: How F1's coming home

Not everyone is delighted by crowds returning so soon, of course, especially given the still-worrying daily number of new Covid cases affected by the spread of the Delta variant in the UK. Critics point to inconsistencies and contradictions in the approach, and even Hamilton, while acknowledging his excitement to see fans back at his favourite race, suggested it might be “premature”. Pringle understands his concern. “I strongly suspect he isn’t familiar with the detail of the Events Research Programme, which has been a very tightly controlled, science-led, government-run programme taking the data and learnings from every stage of the increasing attendance at sports events and analysing it to make informed and considered judgements on the risk,” he says. “I understand why he’s concerned. He’s always fair and always a supporter of the fans. He loves them. He’s also a man with a big heart and a good moral compass, so I’m not surprised that he might articulate concern. But this wouldn’t be happening if the government’s public health officials weren’t entirely comfortable and hadn’t signed it off.”

Pringle also points out that Silverstone is situated on “a 550-acre Northamptonshire plateau through which the wind blows, and all of our grandstands, even those with a roof, are genuinely open-air”. He continues: “The other critical thing is that we normally bemoan the lack of public transport to Silverstone. On this occasion, it’s a benefit that people are arriving on their own, they are not piling into the Tube or buses, which is the challenge at Wembley or Wimbledon. The government has taken a view, and of course there’s risk that remains, but there are also many benefits to sports events taking place this summer. Some concern flag-waving morale, some are supporting businesses like ours that would [else] be at risk.”

So who is allowed to attend this weekend and how will it work? “To attend, you need to be able to show on the NHS smartphone app or a paper equivalent that you’ve had your second Covid vaccine jab and 14 days have elapsed since you had it, or that you’ve uploaded a negative lateral-flow test within 48 hours of arriving at the venue,” Pringle explains.

“You have to show that at the gate; it will be checked in advance of you showing your ticket. It will create some delays getting in – not too significant, we hope, but it won’t be as smooth as normal. But a lot of people use our park and ride service, and we will be doing those Covid test checks before they get onto the transportation.

“Being part of the Events Research Programme allows disapplication of the Covid restrictions within the red line of Silverstone, which includes our car parks and official campsite. Social distancing and face masks won’t be required. Actually, it will be a final reminder of what we’re likely to be going back to the following day.”

And will children be allowed? Happily, Pringle confirms in the affirmative. “Those aged 11 years plus must have a lateral-flow test, as they do at school, and those younger than that don’t need one,” he says. “So they can all come. And if anyone comes up positive on a lateral-flow test, we will let them come on their ticket next year.”

He stresses that Silverstone understands and respects the views of anyone who feels it’s too early; that too much is at risk to attend. “We have a completely open book with a refund or rollover policy with everybody if it’s not their cup of tea,” he says. “We’ve had to refund people coming from abroad, because they can’t get into the country, and some people have written and said: ‘I’m nervous, I’m not comfortable, I have an underlying health issue.’ No problem at all. We don’t want anyone to come under duress; we will give them their money back. But for everybody who gives their ticket back, there’s somebody who wants to buy it again. It’s a nice position to be in if you’re a promoter.”