F1 to continue at Silverstone for another five years
Silverstone, 10 July 2019: Formula 1 is delighted to announce that the Formula 1 British Grand Prix will continue to be held at Silverstone at least until the end of 2024. The agreement between Formula 1, the British Racing Drivers’ Club and Silverstone Circuit was signed yesterday in London, in the run-up to the Formula 1 Rolex British Grand Prix 2019 weekend.
The British Grand Prix has been part of the Formula 1 World Championship right from the start, with the 1950 edition of the race, held at Silverstone on 13th May of that year, being the very first of the 1006 Grands Prix that have taken place to date. Silverstone has hosted the British Grand Prix a further 51 times, with two other circuits, Aintree and Brands Hatch providing the venue on five and seventeen occasions respectively. Only the Italian Grand Prix can boast of featuring for the same length of time on the calendar of the top level of motorsport.
Great Britain has played a vital role in the sport’s history and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Seven of the ten teams competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship are based in the UK, with motorsport being an important economic and technological contributor to the country. This year, Great Britain also has the largest number of drivers on the grid, with five times world champion Lewis Hamilton joined by the talented Lando Norris and George Russell.
On the eve of the 70th British Grand Prix weekend, Formula 1 and Silverstone Circuits have announced that far from this being the last F1 Grand Prix at the historic Northamptonshire venue, a new chapter has begun, thanks to a new agreement that will keep F1 at the circuit for the coming years.
With the future of one of F1’s most venerable and revered circuits now assured, Formula 1 Managing Director, Commercial Sean Bratches and Formula 1 Managing Director, Motorsport Ross Brawn explain why Silverstone, the track that hosted the very first world championship race in 1950, remains a key component of the incredible machine that is Formula 1…
Sean, concluding this agreement secures Silverstone’s place on the calendar. What does that mean for the image of Formula 1 going forward?
Silverstone sits in the pantheon of Formula 1 as one of the great races. In golf you have events like the Masters or the British Open, in tennis you have Wimbledon, and Silverstone is a race that falls into that category. It has an incredible heritage in Formula 1 and we definitely wanted to preserve that. And I think its Silverstone’s status among the great venues that enriches the Grand Prix calendar. It resonates with fans, it’s enormously popular with teams and drivers and it showcases our sport in its best light.
Getting to this point was a lengthy process. On a personal level, how pleased are you that the future of the race has been secured?
I’m an eternal optimist and always believed we would get over the line. I think there was a strong will on both sides to make this happen, but it always had to be an agreement both parties were happy with – that there is a sustainable model for Silverstone to proceed with but which also fulfills our goals in having a broad calendar with a truly global footprint but which maintains Formula 1’s DNA. In the end, both Silverstone and Formula 1 want the same thing – to put on an incredible spectacle at a venue that is beloved by the sport.
What does retaining a venue such as Silverstone say about the future of other ‘heritage’ races in Formula 1?
I think one of the things we have always been cognizant of is that Formula 1 is a sport that deeply cherishes its heritage and that it is important for us to safeguard that as much as is possible. Over the past two years, we’ve reached agreements with many of the great, historic venues in our sport. We have reached agreements with Spa and with Suzuka, we have a long-term agreement in place with Monaco, and we are engaged in a very constructive dialogue with Monza at the moment.
The shape of the future calendar becomes a little clearer after today. Are you pleased with how it’s looking?
It’s gratifying to be able to secure this agreement with Silverstone and it maintains that strand of heritage in the sport’s DNA. But by the same token, it’s clear that since 1950 the calendar has been extraordinarily dynamic and we see that as a positive.
It’s exciting to bring new venues to the table and it’s always good to have people and places that want to sit at our table. We have a number of parties vying to bring Formula 1 to their territories and we are exploring multiple opportunities in that regard. That kind of dynamism is good for the sport and good for fans.
We are of course staging F1’s first Grand Prix in Vietnam next year and that’s hugely exciting, and we’re also returning to the Netherlands. Indeed, racing at Zandvoort crosses the divide, if you like. We’re bringing back an event with enormous history but it’s almost like venturing to a new territory, as Formula 1 hasn’t raced there in 35 years.
Looking at what Silverstone is doing in terms of development at the circuit. Does that kind of activity help F1’s offering?
It does, but the truth is that Formula 1 myopically focuses on Silverstone for the two weeks from when we begin to set up for the Grand Prix to when the last truck leaves, and that’s true of every circuit we visit. But, the kind of infrastructure and activity Silverstone is investing in is hugely important to us because not only does it provide us with a wonderful canvas on which to display our show, it also, if done and executed properly, ensures success going forward for the circuit. It is important for us that our promoters are sustainable and successful.
Finally, the announcement comes just ahead of what’s set to be a big show this weekend. Are you looking forward to it?
Absolutely. There’s a huge amount happening this weekend. It’s our second Bond in Motion race and here at Silverstone, race 1007, our friends at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing will be bringing something special to their cars and to the look of their drivers this weekend. We’ll also welcome Craig, Daniel Craig as a guest. We’re looking forward to seeing a great many stars at Silverstone so it promises to be a wonderful weekend. We’ve got great tennis across the river and great racing just a bit further north of the river! I’m really looking forward to it.
