Silverstone wants four-day event for British GP

Silverstone Circuit is pushing for the British Grand Prix to become a four-day event in the future, with fans treated to track action on Thursday.

Last summer's showcase F1 event at the British track was witnessed by a record 400,000 fans across three days, and this year's race is already a sell-out, save for a few "more fully priced" tickets.

While Formula 1 will stick to its traditional three-day format, Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle is keen on filling up Thursday with on-track action delivered by the event's support races.

"We’re looking to extend the weekend," Pringle said on Thursday, speaking at Autosport International in Birmingham.

"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."

• Read also: Silverstone implementing debris fencing changes for 2023

In the past, under Formula 1's previous regime, the fate of the British Grand Prix was regularly called into question by the BRDC, the race's historic promoter, due to the "eyewatering" fees demanded by then F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

The race never fell off the calendar, but the BRDC's inability to extract a profit from the event persistently left Silverstone "creaking and groaning" as Pringle described.

But thanks to Liberty Media's very positive relationship with race promoters, the British Grand Prix's days of austerity are behind it.

"It’s a given you’re going to sell out Sunday," said Pringle. "We got to selling out Saturday a few years ago, and now Friday is all but gone as well.

"That's where your profit is. And if you don’t make profit - Mr. Ecclestone - you cannot reinvest in the infrastructure.

"It is creaking and groaning, Silverstone, because the BRDC was unable to make a profit out of the grand prix for 40 years.

"Now, I’m pleased to say the owners of F1 take a sensible view that is it not in their interest to crush the promoter, and they recognise the BRDC invests all of its money back into the facilities.

"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."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter