The organizers of this weekend's British Grand Prix are "expecting a record-breaking crowd for Sunday's race," according to Phil Duncan of the PA. While F1 has "come under heavy criticism this year for tepid and predictable races, British fans have been undeterred," with 140,000 people "anticipated to descend" on Northamptonshire on Sunday. Silverstone chiefs have also vowed to give £10 ($15) "back to every fan who attends the race, which is likely to cost them" in the region of £1M ($1.5M). Silverstone Managing Dir Patrick Allen said, "The Silverstone fans are the best in the world and are sure to raise the roof in support of the British drivers as we predict a record crowd. ... Silverstone is the best attended three-day sporting event on the British calendar and we are looking forward to welcoming fans for what promises to be a great festival weekend of motor racing." The circuit "reduced ticket prices" by 44% -- in honor of driver Lewis Hamilton's racing number -- over the course of the Austrian Grand Prix, which "led to a spike in sales." But the decision "attracted criticism from fans who had already purchased tickets at full price" (PA, 6/30).
