The boss of Silverstone has defended the £429 price tag for tickets at the British Grand Prix – as Hollywood a-listers from across the globe begin to arrive.
A beaming Brad Pitt, 60, was among the first celebrities to be spotted in the paddock ahead of this weekend’s action in Northamptonshire.
Spotting red and black shades and a stylish black and white coat, Pitt appeared in fine form, waving to the camera – with his appearance coming just days after he was seen on the London set of his Formula One movie.
British actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, 26, joined Pitt in the paddock, with the Normal People star posing for selfies with fans in the pitlane.
While British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was also pictured strutting in Silverstone sporting a bold outfit, including a white handbag, as he walked his dog.
A beaming Brad Pitt was one of the first celebrities spotted at Silverstone ahead of the Grad Prix
While British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was pictured strutting in Silverstone sporting a bold outfit and clutching a handbag as he walked his dog
And British actress Daisy Edgar-Jones , 26, was seen in the paddock posing for photos with fans in the pitlane
This weekend’s action comes amid controversy around the cost of the event, with furious fans having slammed price of tickets, branding it a ‘p*** take’.
Even racing ace Hamilton raised his concerns about the three-figure cost and called for prices to be dropped – with a Grand Prix day retailing at £309 while a four-day event pass would cost race-goers £429.
The seven-time world champion feared the tickets could be ‘hugely expensive’ for fans and called for a drop in the cost.
Speaking ahead of the race, Hamilton said: ‘We have to watch ticket prices. I think they’re continuing to rise and the cost of living nowadays, I think it’s too high.
‘I’m just thinking from the perspective of a fan that would come with a family. It’s hugely expensive, so I think it’s looking into ways where you can make better accessibility for people.’
Stuart Pringle, chief executive of Silverstone Circuit, has insisted the cost of a pass covering all four days of the racing spectacle in Northamptonshire was ‘good value’.
Brad Pitt’s appearance comes as he was spotted in London a few days ago on the set of his new Formula One movie
Celebrities have been spotted at the paddock today (pictured) ahead of the racing spectacle kicking off
There was some on-track action today, with Kush Maini of India and Invicta Racing practicing pitstops during previews ahead of Round 8 Silverstone of the Formula 2 Championship at Silverstone Circuit
Actress Daisy Edgar-Jones looks on in the Pitlane during previews at Silverstone
He said the action not only including world-class racing but also live concerts – with the likes of Stormzy, the Kings of Leon and dance DJ legend Pete Tong among those set to take to the stage.
Mr Pringle told the BBC: ‘It’s good value when you weigh up what’s included.
‘Not only are you getting a world-class sporting event, you are getting a concert within the ticket price every night of the entire weekend.’
He added that there was ‘a comedy club in there, a second stage, there’s all the support races’.
The race track chief added that many people had bought their tickets in advance at a reduced price, and the profits from sales were put back into grassroots motorsport.
Last year saw a record number of 480,000 people descend on the Northamptonshire circuit – with the same number expected to flock to the British motorsports mecca.
The spectacle is the highlight of the F1 calendar – but has become a nightmare for local residents, who have lashed out at the chaos caused by the crowds.
Last year, locals living next to the iconic race track were fined for parking outside their own home.
People in the village of Silverstone were handing £1,500 worth of fines over strict parking rules that were being enforced during the event.
The rules were part of a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) which had been imposed on the area – with the same ban coming into effect on Friday lasting until Sunday.
The idea of the order was to prevent members of the record crowd of 480,000 spectators parking in nearby villages.
But a misunderstanding led to locals with exemption permits being fined anyway.
Mel Dennision, who has lived in Silverstone for 60 years and has multiple sclerosis, told BBC Radio Northampton: ‘We’ve never had this issue before. We’ve never been demanded to move our cars.
‘I’ve always left my car there with my residents’ pass and blue badge and never been asked to move it before. Never.’
Track bosses later said they would pay the fines for residents as a goodwill gesture.
