The future of the British Grand Prix has been secured after a new deal was announced to ensure its appearance on the 2020 F1 calendar.
The British Racing Drivers Club, the promoters of the race, activated an exit clause in their previous contract in 2017 which meant Silverstone’s deal to host the race was to end after this weekend.Formula 1 Management and Silverstone announced a five-year extension of the race’s contract in a press conference today. RaceFans understands the deal was signed yesterday.
BRDC chairman John Grant said it would have been “disastrous” for the race to drop off the calendar.
“Silverstone is one of the most iconic grands prix on the F1 calendar and with such a rich heritage it would have been disastrous for the sport and fans had we not managed to find a way
forward.”
“This is great news for the BRDC, Silverstone and Formula 1 and for millions of British motor racing fans,” he added.
“We have always said that, if it is to have a long-term future, our sport must preserve its historic venues and Silverstone and Great Britain represent the cradle of this sport, its starting point back in 1950,” said F1 CEO Chase Carey.
“Today, Formula 1 is a global sport, held on five continents, watched by an audience of over 500 million fans around the world and our aim is to grow this number by bringing the sport we love to new countries, while also maintaining its roots: Silverstone and the British Grand Prix are an integral part of that vision.”
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GeeMac (@geemac)
10th July 2019, 14:16
I can hear Joe Saward’s keyboard clicking away already…
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
10th July 2019, 15:05
Good good.
I like Silverstone for a number of reasons and there are other tracks on the calendar that I would sooner see go than this one.
DAllein (@)
10th July 2019, 15:19
Is it only for 2020?..
Or the duration of new contract is not publicly announced?
Dan Vary (@dvary)
10th July 2019, 15:21
Been reported on various other news sites as the new contract runs for until 2024 (5 years).
georgeboole (@)
10th July 2019, 15:46
That’s what I read too. 5 years.
Just maybe they should change the date. Most of those races were fun to watch when the weather was changing
Jere (@jerejj)
10th July 2019, 16:23
@georgeboole But the Northern Hemisphere summer months are the only months when the temperatures (and weather in general) is half decent.
georgeboole (@)
10th July 2019, 17:51
@jerejj who said I want good weather? I d rather have some rain and mixed conditions there
Jere (@jerejj)
11th July 2019, 13:18
‘are’
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
10th July 2019, 22:09
@dallein @dvary @georgeboole It said five years in the article when the article was published.
georgeboole (@)
11th July 2019, 20:34
@keithcollantine that’s true thanks for the tip
Jere (@jerejj)
10th July 2019, 16:23
Finally about time.
Klon (@)
10th July 2019, 16:43
What a disappointment.
falken (@falken)
10th July 2019, 17:05
We should go to some more car parks instead ?
Dan (@gobert)
10th July 2019, 17:08
But at what cost? Did they manage to get a significant cost reduction?
GeeMac (@geemac)
10th July 2019, 17:21
If they were happy to do the deal you would have to assume so.
Joe
11th July 2019, 9:21
That its only 5 years makes me feel they got a good deal but LM kept it short so they can squeeze them again in a few years
Alex (@arobbo)
10th July 2019, 20:21
Great news, F1 next year wouldn’t have been the same without the British GP, especially when some teams have some British influence about them.
Julian (@julianwins)
10th July 2019, 23:38
To the surprise of no one.
Every year there is an article stating, “Silverstone Grand Prix in Doubt”, or something to that effect.
Yet here we are, every year.
Niefer (@niefer)
11th July 2019, 0:07
I cherish the day when they’re gonna announce the relinked Stowe-Club by a straight.
/dream