I've been going to Silverstone for years - here's why it's more than just an F1 venue

I have been in love with Formula 1 since I was a child, and that obsession has carried over to my adult life, and like any young British F1 fan, I have always dreamed of going to Silverstone.

Thankfully, I have been to the sport's birthplace four times now, with the first dating back to 2014 when Lewis Hamilton was dominating the sport with Mercedes. To be part of a joyous crowd that cheered him to victory and then to have been just metres from him as he did a victory lap on foot is a memory that I doubt I will ever forget.

But as the F1 brand has evolved over the years, so has Silverstone, and while the venue is still mostly how it was when I first stepped foot in it, plenty has changed, including what's driving people to head to Northamptonshire for the event.

One of the main things that has changed is the record attendance that is set year by year. When I first went to the venue, the attendance was 122,000, whereas this year, it was at a jaw-dropping 564,000. It's no surprise that platforms like viagogo reported a 14% surge in demand compared to last year's record-breaking crowd, which stood at a measly 500,000 when compared to this year. 

But what has really changed in the decade since I've been going to Silverstone is just how much of an experience a day at the legendary circuit is. While the paddock club still allows premium-paying fans access to behind-the-scenes of the race alongside gourmet food, the real life of the circuit is found in the stands.

I've sat in many places around the circuit, and this year, I cheered on drivers while alongside the international pit straight, which thankfully is where a lot of the action happened, despite it being just a stone's throw away from the iconic Maggotts and Becketts section, where the track winds.

© Alamy Stock Photo

One of the new grandstands for this year was the 'Lando Stand', named after 2025 British champion Lando Norris, and there were plenty of fans sporting merchandise of the grandstand, and so therefore was probably not the spot for Max Verstappen to spin off in. You can't blame us though for all the cheering when it happened.

Food options have improved since I first attended, with an international flavour in the stalls. While traditional pie and mash is still available, you can also expect to see pasta dishes, pizzas, South Korean fried chicken and a Greek meat wrap, which I was able to enjoy. Sure, it won't be winning a Michelin star anytime soon, but sometimes doner meat with chips in a wrap is all you need for a day at the races.

© Formula 1 via Getty Images

And just because the race is over, doesn't mean that the day is over. When I first attended in 2014, Mike and the Mechanics were the main act, and they were probably for my dad instead of me, but this year, the likes of David Guetta, Chase & Status and James Arthur were all on the main stage.

Even when I was there last year, it was RAYE singing up a storm, an incredible booking for the venue.

And thankfully, it's never too difficult to get into Silverstone. From London, I simply needed a train up to Milton Keynes, followed by a shuttle bus (and they have commandeered an army to funnel fans to and from the venue). Yes, you may get stuck in a little bit of traffic, but it only took around an hour to get to the venue on the bus, and likewise a similar time on the way home.