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LinkedInLondon mayor Sadiq Khan welcomes British Grand Prix in London
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he’d welcome talks with Liberty Media to host the British Grand Prix on the streets of London, as part of his ambition for London ‘to carry on being the sporting capital of the World’.
The prospect of holding the British Grand Prix has become viable do to the British Drivers Racing Club (BRDC) triggering a break clause in its contract with F1 that would stop the British Grand Prix being held at Silverstone after 2019, due to rising costs, unless a new deal is agreed.
However, it has been mooted the British Grand Prix could move the streets of East London, Docklands and Canary Wharf, most of which is owned by The Qatar Investment Authority through its investment in the Canary Wharf Group.
Speaking at an F1 Live event in Trafalgar Square yesterday, Khan said: “If F1 want to speak to me I am keen to listen,” said Khan.” My ambition is for London to carry on being the sporting capital of the world.”
“Some hurdles we’ll have to overcome, but there’s no reason at all why it can’t be. I’ve met the new leadership of F1, they’re a breath of fresh air, they’re very exciting, they’ve got cracking ideas, and if they want to have a conversation with me, I’m really happy to talk, listen, and work with them to make it happen.
“We’re good at organising events safely. I’m reassured we can make everyone safe in London and we’re going to make sure events are successful. I’m sure F1, working with us, can in the future have an F1 race in London. Watch this space.”
F1 CEO Chase Carey said Liberty Media is committed to keeping a grand prix in Britain. He added: “We’re very proud of our British heritage. We’re based in Britain, two-thirds of our teams are in Britain. It’s certainly our plan, as long as we’re running Formula 1, to have a race in the UK.”
