British Grand Prix organisers are hoping to cash in on the Formula 1 boom by adding an extra day of racing action.
The Silverstone race has seen a huge increase in interest over the last couple of years thanks to the worldwide popularity increase of the sport. It is one of the most popular events on the calendar with fans clamouring to visit the circuit to take in the action.
A new record was set last year as 400,000 fans attended over the three days to cheer on Lewis Hamilton and his fellow Brits. To make the most of that interest, the venue is exploring the possibility of spreading the on-track action out over four days.
The F1 schedule itself would be unaffected. Practice would begin as normal on Fridays, followed by qualifying the next day – there is no British GP Sprint this year – and the main event on the Sunday.
But the change would see some support categories take to the track on the Thursday, in the hope of enticing motorsport fans to spend an extra day at the circuit. It is an approach already used by organisers of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Stuart Pringle, Silverstone managing director, said on Thursday: "We're looking to extend the weekend. I'm working hard on Formula 1. I believe they need to change the format of the weekend. They say: 'Oh well, it's the FIA, they've got to do the systems test and stuff' – well, do them a day earlier.
"Let's do some stuff on Thursday. There are a lot of people who want to come and see things, and three days isn't really enough. Let's make it that big, best part of a week's festival. People do turn up at Silverstone on a Tuesday and put the tent up and that's it, they're in."
It appears unlikely that any change to the weekend format would come into effect this year. Tickets for the British GP weekend are already mostly sold out, with only a handful of premium priced packages still available.
Pringle said the extra revenue created by adding action on a Thursday is necessary because the Silverstone circuit "is creaking and groaning". He added: "If we put in better facilities we get a better experience of the fans and, if it's better for the fans, it's better for the championship all round, and everyone is a winner."
