Next week's British Formula One Grand Prix has sold out with a record three-day crowd of 240,000 spectators expected at Silverstone, organisers said.

Silverstone Circuits said in a statement that it was the first time the event had sold out in advance on all three days, with 65,000 people due to watch practice on Friday, 85,000 to attend qualifying on Saturday and 90,000 the July 6 race.

"The demand for tickets has been incredible," said Silverstone's managing director Richard Phillips.

While the overall figure was hailed as a record, Silverstone attracted race-day crowds of more than 100,000 in the days of champions Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill before the capacity was reduced.

Britain will have three drivers competing this year, although McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is the only title contender among them.

Hamilton, the 23-year-old who led the championship after winning in Monaco last month, fell to fourth overall after last weekend's French Grand Prix.

Britain's other drivers are Red Bull's David Coulthard, who won at Silverstone for McLaren in 1999 and 2000, and Honda's Jenson Button.