Charles Leclerc says he's ready for an 'incredible' atmosphere at the British Grand Prix, with 140,000 fans set to attend

• Around 140,000 fans are set to attend the British Grand Prix this weekend.
• Ferrari's Charles Leclerc told Insider he's ready for an "incredible" atmosphere there.
• "It feels a little bit like normal life, like pre-COVID," he said.

Charles Leclerc says he is ready for an "incredible" atmosphere at the British Grand Prix this weekend with around 140,000 Formula One fans set to flock to Silverstone.

The UK government gave the green light for the Grand Prix to welcome a full capacity last month.

It is expected to be the biggest crowd seen at an event in the UK since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, and the biggest crowd at an F1 event since the end of the 2019 season.

Much of the 2020 F1 season, including the British GP, took place behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

"It's definitely incredible to see," Leclerc told Insider ahead of the weekend. "It feels a little bit like normal life, like pre-COVID."

"I hope it's safe to do so, but I trust the British authorities to do the right job and to make it to make it safe for everyone," he said.

Ticket holders for the weekend will be asked for either proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of arrival at the track.

"We've missed it," Leclerc said of the event. "I mean, I've personally missed it to see a full grandstand and to just feel the support, especially as a Ferrari driver."

"In Silverstone there might be a little bit more Lewis [Hamilton] flags than Ferrari flags. But wherever we go with Ferrari, we feel the support and it's just nice to see passionate people in the grandstand."

Leclerc also said he was excited to get back out on a track on which he boasts an impressive record.

The 23-year-old has finished in third position in each of the last two British Grands Prix, making it one of only two races - the other being the Austrian Grand Prix - in which he has polled at twice during his fledgling career.

"Silverstone is a track I love," said Leclerc. "It's the home of motorsport it's where it all started. It's just a very, very special track."

"Especially with those new cars, now we are incredibly quick in all those high speed corners and it's so satisfying as a driver to drive there."

"I really enjoy it," he said. "And personally, I've always been quite competitive there. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to Silverstone."

Qualifying at Silverstone takes place on this Friday evening, while the British Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.

And on Saturday, for the first time ever, there will also be a competitive 17-lap sprint race. The finishing order of that debut event will determine the grid for Sunday.