The Chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club – which owns Silverstone – says the organisation would support the arrival of a potential London Grand Prix in Formula 1.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Formula 1 will continue to hold the British Grand Prix at Silverstone through at least 2024, after a new five-year deal was reached.
Formula 1 has long been exploring the possibility of holding a grand prix in London, with several locations having been scouted, most prominently the Docklands area.
Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey confirmed on Wednesday that the championship has “interest from a lot of places” and that “discussions with London are ongoing”, in the wake of Silverstone’s renewal.
BRDC Chairman John Grant says that while wary that Silverstone’s commercial interests would need protection, the venue would support a second event being held in the United Kingdom.
“As you would expect me to say, Silverstone is a terrific flagship for motorsports here in the UK and it’s a great flagship for Great Britain,” said Grant.
“Having said that, we recognise Formula 1’s desire to have destination city races and frankly if that brings a new audience to Formula 1, I think in general that is a good thing.
“We don’t oppose that and we certainly support the intent.
“Of course, we are concerned about the commercial threat to us of having a competitor event on our doorstep so to speak, and just 85 miles or so away.
“So we have had very frank discussions with our friends at Formula 1 about that and they understand those concerns.
“We think there is room two races to coexist side by side as long as they have sufficient separation in time and as long as our commercial interests are recognised in some reasonably flexible way.”
