Formula 1 owner Liberty Media is considering moving the British Grand Prix to east London "if a deal cannot be reached with Silverstone," according to Rebecca Clancy of the LONDON TIMES. F1 CEO Chase Carey said that he "wants more street races, including in London." London Mayor Sadiq Khan was "thought to oppose the idea due to the pollution," but a source said that Liberty Media was "considering the Docklands area in east London." The cars would race with Canary Wharf and the River Thames behind them. The Canary Wharf Group, backed by the Qatari Investment Authority, "owns much of the area." A statement from Khan said that "he would consider a race." He said, "London is always open to hosting the world's best sport events" (LONDON TIMES, 7/11). MOTORSPORT's Jonathan Noble reported Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said that Silverstone "runs a real risk" of losing the British GP to a London street race. Horner said that Liberty "may feel that London could deliver for them." He added, "Silverstone is a wonderful track. The teams and the drivers love driving there. ... But with this London event happening tomorrow, if that was a success -- which hopefully it should be -- with the recent legislation changes that are happening in the City of London, one can imagine a London Grand Prix being pretty attractive to the Liberty guys" (MOTORSPORT, 7/11).
'NOT ON AGENDA': Noble also reported Silverstone's owners said that the idea of selling the track to Liberty Media to help "secure the future" of the British GP is "not being considered." One suggestion that surfaced, ahead of the British Racing Drivers' Club activating its break clause after the '19 race, was for Liberty Media to purchase Silverstone from the BRDC -- so it "could set up a F1 hub and testing facility to boost the presence of the sport" in the U.K. BRDC Chair John Grant said, "We have also said in recent months that it is the BRDC's strategic direction not to sell Silverstone circuit. We don't think we need to sell it" (MOTORSPORT, 7/11).
F1 LIVE: In London, Pete South reported all 10 F1 teams will "meet up together outside of a race weekend for the first time in history as part of the 'F1 Live' event in London on Wednesday." Fans will be "treated to a live stage show in Trafalgar Square" and a "car parade featuring teams, drivers and cars in Whitehall" as organizers attempt to "take the sport off the track and closer to the people." An F1 Schools and Innovation Showcase in Trafalgar Square will take place from 12pm to 4pm, "helping children of all ages, young adults, teachers and parents to learn about careers" linked to F1 and skills in science, technology, engineering and math (DAILY MAIL, 7/11).
