F1: British Grand Prix ‘in jeopardy’ because of London race talks

Lewis Hamilton urges F1 bosses to keep
Silverstone on the calendar

One-Minute Read

Under the current contract this year’s British GP on 14 July is
potentially the last at Silverstone.

In July 2017 the owners of the Northamptonshire circuit,
the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), activated a break clause
in its contract that releases them from hosting the race beyond
2019.

It was reported at the time that “potentially ruinous”
costs were a factor in the decision.

Talks have been ongoing between F1’s owners Liberty Media and
the BRDC, but despite claims in April that a new deal
had been agreed, there has been no confirmation.

The Daily Mail reports that the BRDC want “written
assurances that they have exclusive claims on the famous race”
before the 2019 edition in a few weeks’ time. 

In the exclusive story today the Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy
writes that F1’s talks with the mayor of London over a future race
in the UK capital is a “high-stakes gamble that could inadvertently
spell the end of the British GP”.

While Silverstone and the BRDC have declined to discuss
the negotiations, a spokesperson for the mayor of London said:
“London is always open to hosting the world’s biggest and best
sport events. 

“The mayor believes it should be possible to organise a
race in London in the future and has asked his team to explore
options with F1.”

In December F1’s head of motorsport Ross Brawn said a new race could be held in London, but it
would not replace the British GP at Silverstone.

Brawn added: “We’d like to see London complement
Silverstone, not replace it. We could see ways we could make it
work both sides.

“London is an iconic city with a massive history in the
sport and there’s huge enthusiasm here.”

The Mail says that the Royal Docks in the east London
borough of Newham is “being looked at as a potential
site”.

Hamilton: Silverstone is awesome

Five-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton wants
Silverstone to remain on the calendar and has urged Liberty Media
not to turn their backs on the historic circuit. 

Quoted by GrandPX, the Mercedes driver said: “There are
already some really awesome circuits and Silverstone is one of
those. 

“The UK is the foundation of what this sport is and if you
start taking away the legendary races and it’s all just new ones,
you lose all the history and all the culture which is what Formula
1 is. 

“It [the British GP] is one of biggest turnouts of all
season and you can’t turn your back on that.”