Russell defends Silverstone over high British GP ticket prices

George Russell has defended the ticket prices for the British Grand Prix after Silverstone drew criticism for the cost to fans. 

Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle recently claimed that Max Verstappen's dominance was one factor why some tickets remained on sale for the race, which is usually a sell-out. 

However, fans mentioned the cost of tickets was a key factor, with a three-day General Admission ticket starting from £349 per person. 

For a family of four, this would put the price at £1,349 just for tickets, and not including associated costs such as travel, accommodation, food and merchandise.

Russell pointed to the fact that Silverstone usually has A-list music acts performing throughout the weekend, with Kings of Leon, Stormzy, Pete Tong and Rudimental all on the billing for the coming weekend. 

The Mercedes driver also compared the cost of a GA ticket - which works out at £116 per day - to the price of a football match.

"The sport is in a very healthy place, and Silverstone isn't supported by any government funding as many other races are," Russell told media including RacingNews365. 

"I don't know about the profitability of Silverstone itself, but I do feel that Silverstone as an event exceeds every other race on the calendar. 

"You've got A-list acts singing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and they have got to be paid, got to be funded and the whole atmosphere of this weekend is more like a festival as opposed to one race.

"If you compare the price of a ticket for a 90-minute football game versus a four-day event, it would be interesting to see how it tallies up.

"But of course, you never want it to be too expensive for fans to watch and support us, it is a difficult one. 

"But as I said, Silverstone does an incredibly good job, and they haven't always been profitable in the past."

Hamilton addresses Silverstone ticket prices

Fellow Mercedes driver and eight-time Silverstone winner Lewis Hamilton also addressed the prices, and wondered if a change in business model might be a possibility.

"Ultimately, it is an amazing sporting event, I think Silverstone with the BRDC has done an amazing job over the years to make the weekend packed and entertaining," Hamilton said.

"Naturally, with where we are in the world, prices continue to go up and that is obviously not something that fans want to see. 

"But Silverstone does not have the government funding, and perhaps it needs to investigate a new business plan to have outside investors maybe."