In such topsy-turvy times for Formula 1, it’s awfully nice to have news that makes headlines - but is also kind of expected at the same time. Today it’s been announced that Silverstone has reached an agreement with Formula One to host the British Grand Prix until 2034. Which is nice. The first Formula 1 race took place there, there’s a huge amount of history to the place, and it’s a great venue for the pinnacle of motorsport. Moreover, it means the British Grand Prix isn’t going to a city track, thank goodness or changing very much at all by the sounds of it; for 2024 it’ll take place from July 4th-July 7th, making sure the Festival of Speed isn’t clashed with, and it’s not been moved to a night race. Not yet, anyway…
Silverstone makes a lot of sense, of course, as a popular track that’s enjoyed by fans and drivers alike. It could hardly be any closer to the majority of the teams’ headquarters, either, which must count for something when every other race requires many hours of travel. Silverstone also points to the contribution made by F1 to the UK economy, ‘creating thousands of jobs and boosting the country’s manufacturing industry through pioneering research and development projects’.
It’s business as usual, then. For the record, the British Grand Prix has been at Silverstone since 1987 (or 10 years before Max Verstappen was even born), and will continue to be there until 2034, when he’ll still be younger than Lewis Hamilton is right now. Yikes.
Silverstone’s CEO Stuart Pringle added: “This long-term commitment reflects the importance of the British Grand Prix to Formula 1 and their acknowledgement of our ability to deliver a world-class experience for the British fans who are among the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the world. The cheers of support for the home teams, and particularly for the British drivers on the grid, make the Silverstone atmosphere unique and I am looking forward to harnessing this passion for our sport and taking the event to the next level in the coming decade.”
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