APEX RACEWIRE Newsroom
Silverstone Makes History: More Than a Race, a Phenomenon!
The British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone broke all records on and off the track, drawing an unprecedented crowd alongside an army of essential heroes working behind the scenes.
By Lesley - 2026-07-06T05:19:45.000Z - 3 min read
Silverstone has reached a milestone that will be etched in Formula 1 history forever! A staggering 564,000 passionate fans flocked to the British Grand Prix this weekend, setting an all-time attendance record for an F1 event. That dizzying total surpassed last year's figure by an impressive 64,000, while on race day alone, more than 175,000 spectators soaked up the thrilling action that saw Charles Leclerc take his first victory of the season.
As drivers completed their laps, thousands of other stories unfolded behind the scenes to make the weekend truly special. An impressive army of around 700 volunteers, affectionately named 'Race Makers', stood ready to greet fans and direct the crowds. Among them were mother Donna (55) and daughter Millie Wright (22), avid motorsport enthusiasts who wanted to experience the spectacle 'from the other side' this time. Their enthusiasm was contagious as they enjoyed the smiling faces and stories shared by spectators.
Freelance photographer Harriet Fuller also enjoyed an unforgettable debut at Silverstone. Armed with two cameras, she had the honorable assignment of capturing the arrival of drivers, VIPs, and the race itself. For her, it was far more than work; it was a dream come true, particularly when photographing two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. The moment carried a deep personal connection, as Alonso was her late great-grandmother's biggest idol, making every shutter click a tribute to her memory.
The emotional bond with Silverstone was equally palpable for Sammie Hawkins, who brought joy to visitors with her vintage ice cream van 'Gigi' (a 1971 Bedford CF1). Gigi was a tribute to her husband, who passed away suddenly and had been a passionate lover of vintage vehicles and ice cream. Having dreamed of being part of Silverstone, Hawkins was serving here for the third time. Despite a sore arm after scooping 1,800 ice creams, she felt immensely grateful: 'Everyone is cheerful, everyone is happy, and everyone loves ice cream!'
The scale of the event is unparalleled, presenting immense logistical challenges. Around 60,000 fans camped around Silverstone, including 7,000 at Whittlebury Park, which celebrated its 40th anniversary as a campsite this year. Charles Sargeant, who co-manages the site, vividly recalled driving Nigel Mansell around as a 10-year-old and highlighted the complexity of running a completely off-grid operation – supplying power equivalent to 650 homes alongside water and waste management.
The seamless execution of such a massive event relies on an enormous effort by law enforcement, led by Northamptonshire Police. Superintendent Pete Basham called it the force's largest operation of the year and one of the biggest sporting events in the country. Although crime is traditionally low, Basham highlighted the sheer magnitude: 'The Lando Norris stand has a capacity of 16,600 people; that's larger than the entire Northampton Saints stadium – and that's just one grandstand!' The teamwork and pride in contributing to this global F1 operation were palpable throughout.