Lewis Hamilton, Silverstone and Northamptonshire Police have reinforced warning calls telling Formula 1 fans to stay away from the upcoming British and 70th Anniversary grands prix on coronavirus safety grounds.
Silverstone will host two closed F1 races – starting with next weekend’s British GP – in the second double-header at the same track of the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, after the Austrian and Styrian GPs at the Red Bull Ring.
The track and local police issued initial warnings to F1 enthusiasts in the UK last month, and were suggested to do so in the run-up to Silverstone’s two races, while Hamilton answered questions on the issue at the Hungarian GP last weekend.
WARNING: Why did the police issue serious silverstone warnings to F1 fans?
The Mercedes driver will be racing on home soil alongside fellow British racers George Russell and Lando Norris – the first F1 drivers to compete in their national events without home fans present.
When asked about the police warnings by Autosport, Hamilton said: “It’s not my job to come up with rules and tell people what to do.
“What I see on TV is people out trying to live their lives during this difficult time, but this thing continues to spread.
“So, I always just try to encourage people to keep their distance and remain at home.
“And we’re organizing an event, which we actually review to stay [focused] and keep our distance from everyone as we do our homework. I can sense that other people will need to pass and look from a distance, just to get sound from the car or to take a look at the car.
“But if that means you’re in a crowd of other people, that’s not a smart thing, and I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Silverstone chief Stuart Pringle said warnings were necessary to prevent British races from taking a chance.
“The government requires you to organize this occasion if other people are not present,” he told Autosport.
“So it’s absolutely opposite to that if we allow it to be provided to other people, and that includes picking up at the front door to see if they can see the drivers come in and out.”
“[And] you won’t because they’re staying on-site in motorhomes, the vast majority of them.
“And there’s a lot of fear in the net around Silverstone.”
“Because there’s a lot of fear at the net around Anfield [where Liverpool enthusiasts piled up to celebrate the Premier League team’s triumph], or a lot of fear at the net around the Ageas Bowl in Southampton [which recently hosted the first game opposed to England. West Indies Adjustment Test].
“It is that these sporting occasions will not be a magnet to attract others to your locality and increase the threat of transmission of this virus.”
“The plan we have developed is to meet government requirements. And we do it and we do a thorough job.”
“We are simply spreading the message, speak it early, explain it and keep it with a little authority, so that everyone knows seriously.”
In a statement released this week, Northamptonshire Police Superintendent Dennis Murray said, “I need to reinforce our past messages.” There will be an exclusion zone around the circuit and F1 enthusiasts deserve not to go through, but they deserve to sign up for the millions of other people watching the races on TV. “My officials will be about to attack anyone who intends to dedicate a crime and there will be groups of officials who largely control the area.” You will not be imaginable to see the race from the perimeter fences and anyone who tries to do so will be evicted. “Nor will it be imagined to park near the circuit. All layby will be “clear lanes” and any car that is left unattended will be towed.” I would also like to take this opportunity to remind others that the use of drones will be banned. During the two race weekends: The Civil Aviation Authority has imposed a flight restriction for the entire Grand Prix season. “