Hamilton slump no bar for British GP.

Lewis Hamilton's run of two races without points in the Formula One world championship has not had an adverse effect on the likely attendance at next weekend's British Grand Prix, with Silverstone chiefs now reporting a sell-out for all three days of the meeting.

A controversial pit-lane accident in Montreal was followed by an uphill battle against an ensuing grid penalty in France, but Hamilton appeared on course for points at Magny-Cours before he was handed a drive-thru' penalty for passing Sebastian Vettel unlawfully. Empty-handed at both races, the Briton has dropped to fourth in the title race, ten points behind new leader Felipe Massa, as the series heads to his home race.

While various self-appointed 'experts' have urged Hamilton to refocus on his racing, the Briton will have no shortage of support at Silverstone, after the circuit reported that it had sold the last of its tickets for the grand prix weekend.

"Last year was my first grand prix at Silverstone and the amount of support I had was incredible," Hamilton reflected, "I hope there are even more people there this year to support me - and to support David [Coulthard] and Jenson [Button] as well. There really isn't more of a satisfying feeling - knowing that you're racing in your home country and knowing that you have the support of your country - it gives you a few extra tenths of a second, just with confidence, so I'm really thankful for the support I will hopefully be getting.

"I expect it will be very exciting. I think we're going to have a great package that weekend as we've got some new updates coming. I just hope the weather is great like last year - it was almost like being in Monaco or something - and the atmosphere is incredible."

With the final raceday places snapped up three weeks ago, potential spectators were urged to act quickly for the remaining practice and qualifying tickets, with the result that the event is a sell-out with ten days remaining before action gets underway. Having no space remaining for sale 'on the day' is a first for Silverstone, with capacity crowds of 65,000 for practice on Friday, 85,000 for qualifying on Saturday and 90,000 for the race on Sunday also representing record figures for the under-fire event.

"The demand for tickets has been incredible," circuit MD Richard Phillips confirmed, "Only three weeks ago, we announced that raceday had sold out - now practice and qualifying have sold out too.

"We will be full over all three days, with a record combined crowd figure of 240,000, despite having managed to slightly increase our capacity this year by adding extra grandstand seats and terracing. However, it is important we don't compromise the comfort levels and viewing experience for the fans. Fans attending on the Friday also have an option to sit in any grandstand, so we have to take attendance levels on each day into account.

"I have said it before, but we really do have the best fans in the world. They are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the sport, and will get right behind all three British drivers - Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and David Coulthard. It's going to be a fantastic event, [and] the atmosphere is going to be amazing."

Tickets for the 2009 grand prix will be on sale the day after this year's event.