Silverstone has confirmed that this year’s British Grand Prix will be held behind closed doors should the venue host a round of the Formula 1 World Championship.
In a letter sent to ticket holders, circuit boss Stuart Pringle said that it won’t be possible to allow fans to attend.
Silverstone is rumoured to be one of a handful of circuits expected to stage two Grands Prix in a bid to get a World Championship season underway.
The news comes as UK health authorities confirmed they would be meeting this week to discuss and determine when nationwide sport can resume safely, including whether the British GP would be run with spectators.
Last year, 351,000 fans attended the Grand Prix weekend with over 140,000 present to watch the the race live on Sunday, making it one of the most attended races on the season calendar.
“I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year’s British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone,” Pringle said.
“We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the Government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible.
“Our obligations to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in preparing and delivering the event, our volunteer marshals and Race Makers, and of course, you, the amazing fans, means that this is the best, safest and only decision we could make.
“We have consistently said that should we find ourselves in this position we will support Formula 1 as they seek to find alternative ways to enable F1 racing to take place this year.
“Following this weekend’s news from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are now working with them on the viability of an event behind closed doors.
“I can also confirm that next year, we intend to give away thousands of tickets for the 2021 event to NHS and other key workers who have literally been putting their lives on the line for us all, during these challenging times. No one can be in any doubt of the huge debt of gratitude we owe to them.”