It has been a soggy start to the British Grand Prix with thousands of fans left disappointed as they were warned to stay away from the circuit.
Torrential downpours have marred the weekend so far turning car parks and campsites into quagmires. 4×4 vehicles were seen to be helping tow some stranded vehicles out of exceptionally muddy car parks.
Problems at the track started when 40mm of rain fell in just 12 hours. By the middle of the afternoon, all campsites had closed to traffic. Those who had bought tickets for on-site parking were warned not to turn up. Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips issued an ‘unreserved apology’ to ticket holders and added that he had almost been reduced to tears over the issue.
Mr Phillips added that it is likely to cost up to seven figures and they will be offering refunds to anyone who was able to get in.
“It’s going to cost us a lot of money,” Mr Phillips said. “I honestly don’t know the figure, but it could be a lot more than hundreds of thousands. For people who did not get in we’re offering refunds, and for anybody who doesn’t get in we’ll be offering refunds as well.
“Right now we’re trying to get ourselves into a situation to get in as many people as we can from a position of devastation. But I unreservedly apologise to people. I feel very responsible for it, this is something I’ve been very proud of over the years and I almost could cry now.”
It is hoped that the car parks will be dry enough to reopen for the race tomorrow.
