Formula 1 has announced that a record number of spectators attended the four-day Italian Grand Prix weekend at the Monza circuit.
It is the second race in a row that an F1 race weekend has set a new attendance record, with 185,000 fans flocking to Monza over the Italian GP.
The passionate Ferrari fans were out in force for the team’s home race, boosted by its improved fortunes and competitiveness in 2017.
It was a difficult race for Ferrari, with Sebastian Vettel a distant third and Kimi Raikkonen in fifth, while rivals Mercedes secured a 1-2, with Lewis Hamilton leading Valtteri Bottas.
The attendance figure of 185,000 over the four days is an increase of 32.8% compared to last year and a 15.7% boost compared to the previous record, set in 2000, when 161,500 spectators passed through the gates.
“It’s the first time I’ve attended the Italian Grand Prix and I was amazed by the incredible passion of the crowd, which had come to Monza from all corners of the globe,” said F1’s commercial boss, Sean Bratches.
“The record numbers confirm just how much Formula 1 captures people’s imagination. An increase of a third over the 2016 crowds and a 15.7% improvement over the previous record are incredible numbers.
“I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who sat out in the grandstands in the pouring rain on Saturday, waiting for the track conditions to improve enough for Formula 1 qualifying and the Formula 2 race to be run.
“This passion is a great incentive to work harder still to put on an even better show for the fans who follow this sport all over the world.”
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