F1 reports new Belgian GP attendance record

Formula 1 has confirmed that the attendance figure of 265,000 for last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix is a new record for the race.

Boosted by significant interest from Dutch fans following Max Verstappen’s arrival in F1, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has bucked the trend of declining crowd figures at European grands prix in recent years.

An estimated 80,000 fans made the trip across the border from the Netherlands to watch Verstappen race, only for the Red Bull driver to retire early due to an engine issue.

F1 announced after the race that 265,000 fans had graced Spa across the three-day race weekend, marking a new record for the grand prix.

“It’s been a busy and exciting weekend for all of Formula 1 and I think the thousands of spectators at this amazing circuit, as well as the millions that watched on television and online, all enjoyed the show and saw just how spectacular this sport can be,” F1 motorsports managing director Ross Brawn said.

“It was also a special weekend for me personally, as it was a pleasure to be able to pass on the congratulations of the Schumacher family, in addition to my own, to Lewis Hamilton after he equalled Michael’s outright record of pole positions.

“It was also wonderful to see Michael’s son Mick, driving his father’s Benetton on the circuit where he scored the first of his 91 Formula 1 wins in 1992: these moments make Formula 1 special.”