Ministers "are to clear" the way this week for a F1 race through the streets of London "with a radical overhaul of road safety and speed limit laws," according to Elliott & Eason of the LONDON TIMES. Motorsport organizations, including F1, "have been told that a consultation that will make it easier to hold races on public roads will be launched within days." It currently requires an Act of Parliament "to suspend speed limits and other safety laws for each race or rally." Under plans shown to racing bodies "it would be up to local authorities to decide whether to close roads and suspend laws on dangerous driving, speeding and other traffic regulations." The move "brings closer to a reality a dream long cherished" by F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone for London to join Monaco and Singapore in the calendar for street circuit races (LONDON TIMES, 2/27). In London, Daniel Johnson wrote a race in London, starting on The Mall and racing past Buckingham Palace and through Parliament Square, "would be the jewel in the crown of F1 if it was to go ahead," and detailed proposals for the circuit are already thought to have been drawn up. Under the new plans, local authorities "will be given the power to temporarily suspend laws on dangerous driving to allow races to take place." A potential race in London could raise more than £100M ($167M) in ticket revenues and endorsements, "and despite financial obstacles to its staging, London Mayor Boris Johnson has indicated he is open to the idea." Johnson said, "I am always interested in projects that attract and bring growth." The proposals could have a major impact not just on F1, "but on the staging of rallies, hill climbs and sprints on public roads across the country." The Motor Sports Association, which has long campaigned for the change, "welcomed the move" (TELEGRAPH, 2/27).
ONE STEP CLOSER: The PA reported there would still be considerable logistical and environmental issues to contend with, "and understandable objection from many campaigners." But F1 driver Jenson Button, who along with former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton helped front the campaign in June '12, "is hoping something will eventually come to fruition." Button: "The thought of a race through the capital's streets was only a dream when they initiated the project, but this week's changes to the law bring the idea a step closer to reality" (PA, 2/27).
