Silverstone asks for fans to be patient in the wake of severe weather problems

With waterlogged campsites and car parks leading to a breakdown of the traffic system on Friday, Silverstone advised fans with normal parking tickets to stay away from the venue for qualifying day in a bid to ensure that race day could be got through without major trouble.

The traffic problems have left Silverstone facing intense criticisms about its lack of contingency planning for the conditions, but Warwick reckons the venue did all it could - and could never have predicted the record-levels of rain that hit the venue earlier this week.

"We anticipated problems, and we realised that June was the wettest June on records," explained Warwick. "We put hardcore down on car parks, and metal grids on the car parks, so we did all we could to try and accommodate the weather.

"But we must remember this weekend there has been a lot of major sporting events cancelled because of the weather. The M1 [motorway] was blocked for 30 miles and down to one lane because of flooding, so we are not alone in this.

"We are doing our best, and our executive team has worked a plan out for the next two days. So be patient with us, be kind to us."

He added: "We are running one of the biggest and best grands prix we have ever had here. Last year it broke every record in the book, this year we have surpassed this, and this is our one moment to show the world what a great venue this is. But the weather has played a big part.

"It doesn't affect the race. Of course we want the fans to be happy and it is good to give them an experience that they want to come back, it is important for the BRDC and Silverstone. It will still be a good race. Let's all not get doom and gloom here. It is not the end: we can have a good race and a good weekend."

Silverstone hopes that its advice to fans to stay away on Saturday will lead to a reduction in cars trying to get in to the circuit - which should help preserve car parks for Sunday.

The race organisers are expected to announce their plans for race day at the conclusion of the qualifying day activities.