Lewis Hamilton, Silverstone and Northamptonshire police have stepped up precautionary calls for Formula One enthusiasts to move away from Britain’s upcoming Grand Prix and the 70th anniversary for coronavirus protection reasons.
Silverstone will host two F1 races closed, with next weekend’s British GP, at the time the double title will be played on the same track of the 2020 pandemic season, after the Austrian GP and Styria 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 police issued serious Silverstone warnings to F1 fans
Mercedes’ driving force will run at home with fellow Britons George Russell and Lando Norris, the first F1 driving forces to compete in their national events without the presence of local fans.
When asked about police warnings through Autosport, Hamilton said, “It’s not my job to draft regulations and tell other people what to do.
“What I see on television are other people who seek to live their lives in these difficult times, but this continues to spread.
“So I seek to inspire other people to keep their distance and stay at home.
“And we’re organizing an event, which we actually review to stay [focused] and stay away from everyone as we do our homework. I can sense that other people will have to pass and look from a distance, just to get the sound of the car or to take a look at the car.
“But if that means you’re among 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 compromising.
“The government demands that this occasion be organized if other people are not present,” he told Autosport.
“So you’ll totally oppose that if we allow other people to be there, and that includes meeting in front of the front door to see if they can see the drivers come in and out.
“[And] you probably wouldn’t because they stay 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 amassed 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 match opposite 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 only spreading the message; discuss it early, explain it and store it with a little authority, so 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 there, but they deserve to sign up for the millions of people who watch racing on TV. “My officials will be about to target anyone who intends to commit a crime and there will be groups of officials heavily controlling the area.” You will not be imaginable to see the race from the perimeter fences and anyone who tries will be evicted. “Nor will it be imagined to park near the circuit. All laybys will be “clear lanes” and all unattended cars 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. “