Friday and Saturday ticket sales stopped

Raceday was already a 135,000 sell-out but now tickets will not be sold on the day for Friday practice or Saturday qualifying.

In a statement the team said the decision was taken "as a result of recent poor weather adversely affecting the ground used for car parking".

With 90,000 spectators expected on Sunday and another 45,000 corporate guests the circuit said it was concerned to preserve the grass the grass car park areas that will accommodate around 40,000 cars on raceday.

"After careful consideration of the ground conditions and weather forecasts we have halted ticket sales to ensure out facilities are protected for race day," said Silverstone chief executive Denys Rohan.

The early season date resulting from a conflict with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has not affected raceday ticket sales but Rohan admitted corporate hospitality sales were down 25 per cent on last year's figures.