I was first introduced to Formula 1 in 2011, a wet Canadian Grand Prix and a British win from Jensen Button. I can’t say I was immediately hooked, but it did peak my interest. Fast forward to 2024 and I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m not a ‘petrol head’, I don’t even drive. But the prospect of the unknown happening, and the level of variables that make strategic decisions can make how a race unfolds hypnotic. As a data person, the fact it is so data driven also fascinates me.

I first went to see a live race at Silverstone in 2018. This was after the 1st few years of watching it where you wouldn’t go a weekend without commentators raising concerns about ticket costs and fans being priced out. It eventually changed and the cost became what was reasonable enough to us at the time to finally get to go and see this live! I was blown away by the whole spectacle. Not just all the different racing events over the weekend, but all the periphery too. The food stalls, the drink stalls, the fan zone, the music, the view from the big wheel – there was something around every corner. I’ve been to festivals before where I’ve missed entire acts/events simply from how long it took to queue for the toilet. The amount of people is insane, but the length of the queues in comparison are rather tame (entry on the 1st day aside).

We are due to go again in two weeks time, and it is going to be our last Silverstone visit for the foreseeable future. Why? The cost. Stuart Pringle, the Managing Director of Silverstone has blamed Red Bull’s dominance and continues to defend dynamic pricing. I cannot imagine the challenges of his job, and the costs involved to run such an event, but my message to Mr. Pringle is this: Stuart, from a fan, you are wrong. Do you not think the mere hint of a Lando home win isn’t the most tantalising we’ve had it for a couple of seasons? You’re comments have come across throwaway, disingenuous, and out of touch with the fans.

I am lucky enough to have a good career which affords me various trips and holidays. I could afford to go this year. But as this will be the 5th visit, the rate of shrinkflation is just too visible to be able to justify what we get for our money now, compared to previous years. Here is an example:

In 2023, they decided to charge extra for entry to the track on the Thursday, which had been free in previous years. This was around £120pp, however it did include music acts on the Thursday, entry to the Silverstone Museum and a pit walk. I thought the price was a bit north, but had a great day and the close up picture of Lando made it feel worth it. Fast forward to this year. £120pp gets you the pit walk. That’s it. I don’t think consumers are as blind to the value of the pound in their pocket as they used to be and have to learn harder about the worth of their money from covid through to the cost of living crisis. If Silverstone are not careful, this will very much come back to bite them.

I jinx all bets I place so I won’t say I will put a good £5 English pounds on any of the commentators (Croft? Martin? Ted?), if it fails to sell out, raising the issue of fans being priced out once again. I can’t help but think it will get mentioned at the Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Silverstone.

We could afford to go again next year. It just is not worth the money anymore. S I have no doubt that Silverstone will come to suffer once again financially as they focus too much on cashing in on the one-time visits from the Drive to Survive audience, and seemingly not realising that the lack of a sell out thus far for 2024 is more likely to the attrition of fans who would come every year if you just weren’t taking us for fools.