The huge turnout at the British Grand Prix showed why Formula One cannot turn its back on Silverstone, according to managing director Ross Brawn.
A bumper crowd of 140,000 attended the race on Sunday, with the tally for the entire weekend coming in at 340,000. Despite regular big crowds the future of the Silverstone race is in doubt after it triggered a break clause in its contract last year which will end its tenure as host after 2019 unless it reaches a new deal with F1.
Although Brawn is keen to save the event and secure a long-term deal, he said the tactics of circuit owners the British Racing and Drivers' Club (BRDC) has complicated matters.