Formula One "can be a bit too precious" and needs to improve access for fans, according to Silverstone managing director Patrick Allen.
Silverstone is on the calendar for both Formula One and the Word Endurance Championship (WEC), with the latter renowned for the access it gives fans. Though F1 does offer access to some ticket holders Allen believes F1 could learn from the example set by endurance racing's premier series.
"The access that people have [in WEC], unlike Formula One, is second to none," Allen said at the Autosport International Show. "I think F1 can be a bit too precious sometimes and I think a bit more access for the fans who are paying good money to watch their heroes battle it out like gladiators on the track, [and] they want to get up close to these people.
"We used to do it in the past, [although] I don't think we'll ever get back to the Colin Chapman throwing his cap in the air as a Lotus crosses the finish line, but there should be an opportunity for fans to get close to the action."
Allen thinks it comes down to F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone to make a change in order to benefit the fans and says he will be pushing for that to happen.
"The only thing we [can do] is to lobby Formula One Management for that -- it's under their control. If they took a leaf out of the WEC and let people get a bit closer it would be good for the whole sport and not alienate Formula One from its fan base. I think WEC is a great example of how to do that."