F1 London Calling.....

Lewis Hamilton believes Britain would be justified in holding two Formula 1 races in the future if ever plans for a London GP took off.

With McLaren sponsor Santander unveiling its vision for a potential track around London at an event on Thursday, Hamilton said a possible race around the capital city would not be out of the question as an extra event alongside Silverstone.

"Some other countries have two races like Spain and Germany, and arguably the UK makes an enormous contribution to F1, so I reckon that would be completely justified," he said. "Silverstone is more than just my home race; it is a giant of a circuit, a real racer's track. The idea of a London race presents a completely different possibility and it would be great to reward our home fans with two races, wouldn't it?"

The Santander circuit, which has been created as a CGI video, takes in many of London's famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The start/finish straight and the pits would be on the Mall.

Jenson Button believes that if an event could ever be put on it could help cement London's place as a sporting capital.

"There have been times when I've been sitting in the back of a black taxi and idly thought to myself, 'This would make a pretty good corner on a racetrack.'" He explained.

"If we ever could have a London Grand Prix, I think it would be spectacular and would be such a great addition to the city's status as one of the world's greatest sporting capitals.

"We did an F1 street demonstration on Regent Street a few years ago, and half a million people came out to watch - I remember the sight of thousands of people on rooftops and balconies on every storey of every building along the route.

"There's a mammoth following for Formula 1 in the UK and a race in the city would be at the heart of everything, easily reachable by public transport. It would be a fantastic race for the drivers and the fans alike."

What the track would be like and personally it's quite nifty https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3K9WetYivJY

Source: autosport

I don't want another street race, thanks.

TSC wrote:I don't want another street race, thanks.

From what I read yesterday, it would effectively replace Valencia (the Valencia town council is broke, and losing a bundle on the race)

You do know this will never happen. It's going to be impossible for Bernie to persuade London to completely alter the road structures and obstacles along the route just for one event a year. London is a financial city, whereas Monaco isn't and it requires the roads to be open everyday. Bernie can't just throw £35m and says lets race, the other countries who have to pay more will not be happy at all. Another boring street track is not what F1 needs. Has anyone seen the New Jersey track....appaling. Basically Bernie is more interested in money and having surroundings that look nice rather than a good race.

The chicanes are already in place though - traffic cone and plastic barriers.

John wrote:You do know this will never happen. It's going to be impossible for Bernie to persuade London to completely alter the road structures and obstacles along the route just for one event a year. London is a financial city, whereas Monaco isn't and it requires the roads to be open everyday. Bernie can't just throw £35m and says lets race, the other countries who have to pay more will not be happy at all. Another boring street track is not what F1 needs. Has anyone seen the New Jersey track....appaling. Basically Bernie is more interested in money and having surroundings that look nice rather than a good race.

The race wouldn't have to be in the financial district (though if thats what they are planning I do wonder how they would get around disrupting traffic during Thursday and Friday practice). Greater London is big enough to hold a GP outside the city proper...I'm sure there are a few abandoned airfields knocking around that could be developed into proper circuits, rather than having another street race.

That said, I do have a feeling Ecclestone and co envision F1 cars screaming across Westminster Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. I for one would like to see it, but I don't see how they could pull it off. I guess they could divert traffic, but I wouldn't want to even try and figure out how to do that.

dyrewolfe wrote:

John wrote:You do know this will never happen. It's going to be impossible for Bernie to persuade London to completely alter the road structures and obstacles along the route just for one event a year. London is a financial city, whereas Monaco isn't and it requires the roads to be open everyday. Bernie can't just throw £35m and says lets race, the other countries who have to pay more will not be happy at all. Another boring street track is not what F1 needs. Has anyone seen the New Jersey track....appaling. Basically Bernie is more interested in money and having surroundings that look nice rather than a good race.

The race wouldn't have to be in the financial district (though if thats what they are planning I do wonder how they would get around disrupting traffic during Thursday and Friday practice). Greater London is big enough to hold a GP outside the city proper...I'm sure there are a few abandoned airfields knocking around that could be developed into proper circuits, rather than having another street race.

That said, I do have a feeling Ecclestone and co envision F1 cars screaming across Westminster Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. I for one would like to see it, but I don't see how they could pull it off. I guess they could divert traffic, but I wouldn't want to even try and figure out how to do that.

That's what they're aiming for. Start/Finish and pit lane along the Mall, one-lane tunnels through Admiralty Arch, a corner in front of Buckingham Palce, etc

Ted Kravitz on Sky F1 Show seriously doubts this can be done, although a different route maybe feasible. The Admiralty Arch section of the route being incorporated is ridiculous, although Sky's night time preview of the track looked far more exciting than Valencia or Singapore.