Max Verstappen has hit back at a suggestion from Silverstone that Red Bull’s Formula 1 dominance is to blame for the British Grand Prix’s struggle to sell out tickets.
Silverstone capitalised on the post-Covid pandemic boom still remaining prevalent last term to attract a record 480,000 spectators across the entire F1 race weekend.
But that number looks destined to drop once the series returns for the annual British GP next month as the track has opted to place a restriction on overall attendees.
However, Silverstone Managing Director Stuart Pringle highlighted Red Bull’s pre-eminence with the current ground effect cars as a factor in the dwindling ticket sales.
Verstappen was imperious in the most recent British GP, winning from pole position during an unbeaten run that expanded to reach a record 10 consecutive victories.
The Dutchman has battled more intense competition this season, but he has still logged six wins from nine races to sit 56 points clear at the top of the championship.
“Historically we’ve always had to promote up until the end, but definitely there was a discernible bounce post-Covid,” Pringle said.
“That wasn’t unique to motorsport or Formula 1. Indeed, it was seen in other sports and entertainment events.
“But if there is a strong likelihood of the same winner, and the jeopardy is taken out of sport, it does take the edge off it.
“Last year was very repetitive in terms of one team dominated and they set off this season in the same vein.
“Things may be changing now, and I do recognise that we had several years of a British driver dominating the championship, and we didn’t mind that so much as a British promoter!
“But it’s certainly been a lot harder with Red Bull dominating.”
When those words were put to him, though, Verstappen argued Pringle should be well-advised to look at Silverstone’s own failings rather than blame external parties.
“I don’t think it’s my fault. This current Formula 1 season is very exciting, lately several teams have been competing for victories,” Verstappen said.
“If then a promoter cannot fill all the seats and blames someone else, it is better that they first look at themselves, what they are doing wrong.
“Because in other places, I think they manage to fill the stands quite easily.”
Pringle suggested that Silverstone was not in a position to decrease the ticket prices due to the demand placed on the circuit to be able to afford the F1 hosting fee.
“Also, as a promoter, you have to get your ticket pricing strategy correct. You could make these things go quicker if you reduce price,” he added.
“But we have got expensive bills to pay, not less the promoter fee, so it’s about hitting a strategy and making sure it works, which we’re pretty comfortable with.”
However, Lewis Hamilton, an eight-time winner at Silverstone, believes that his home venue and other venues around the globe are pricing out the average viewer.
“We have to watch ticket prices,” Hamilton warned. “It’s hugely expensive and it’s too high.
“The sport won’t like that I’m saying that, but I’m thinking from the perspective of the fans and their families.”
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