F1 returns to Canada this week as Max Verstappen looks to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings. The sport has grown massively in recent years, leading to more and more cities hoping to host grand prix. This season has already seen Miami host its first race, and Las Vegas is also poised to welcome F1 next year. In the UK, Silverstone has been the staple of the F1 calendar for decades, but Britain could get another race if reports from last year are to be believed.
US investment firm 777 Partners were thought to have been in talks to host a race in the capital, London.
According to the Daily Mail, the proposed circuit is thought to be located in east London.
Josh Waters from 777 partners was quoted as saying: “We are hopeful that it is coming. We are hugely excited about it.
“There will be an electric atmosphere as the greatest athletes in the world, along with an international fanbase and the world’s largest companies as sponsors, descending on the Docks for race weekend.
“More importantly, we will build a world-class sports and entertainment complex that can serve the community year-round and revitalize the surrounding areas.
“It’s the type of thing you really can’t quantify until it actually happens, but the impact is dramatic.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan appeared to back the idea, saying in a statement at the time: “London is always open to hosting the world’s biggest and best sport events – from the final of UEFA Euro 2020 to the NFL, and the Cricket World Cup to Major League Baseball.
“The Mayor believes that it should be possible to organize a race in London in the future and has asked his team to explore options with F1.”
Toto Wolff and Christian Horner also added their public support to a potential London Grand Prix.
Wolff said last year: “I would like that we have a grand prix at Silverstone as this is what the fans love and Silverstone is part of the traditional circuit of races in Formula 1.
“But racing in London would top everything and I hope that the Mayor of London and [the Prime Minister] Mr Johnson read this and we get that going.”
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The plan hit a barrier, however, as F1 CEO Stefan Domenicali poured cold water on the plan last December.
He said: “In life, I always say never say never but we are not here to sell something that is not realistic,” he told Standard Sport.
“I would say that we already have Silverstone with British support and a unique place.
“Coming to a city like London would be quite invasive and difficult for the community to manage.”
