Silverstone confirms plan to host two consecutive F1 grands prix (Update)

Stuart Pringle

UPDATE Formula One will launch the season in Austria on the first weekend of July, and the British Grand Prix is likely to be held on July 19 with zero fans in attendance.

Silverstone will host two races, the second two weeks later on August 2, again we assume without fans unless the lock down is lifted on August 1st.

Although the 'Silverstone Grand Prix' is a suggested title for this additional event, there is support for naming it after Sir Stirling Moss, who died earlier in April.

Silverstone will refund those who bought tickets for the British GP or hold the bookings over to next year.

Stuart Pringle, Silverstone's managing director, said: 'I can also confirm we intend to give away thousands of tickets for the 2021 event to NHS and other key workers.'

04/20/20 The organizers of the British Grand Prix have confirmed they would host two consecutive races at Silverstone this season if required and are currently discussing the proposal with Formula One Group. Stuart Pringle, the circuit’s managing director, said planning and preliminary preparations have begun towards becoming the first track to host two world championship grands prix in succession.

“We have discussed all sorts of permutations including hosting two races over one weekend and two races over consecutive weekends," Pringle told the Guardian. “I have complete confidence in our ability to put on these events. We have a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge, we can turn that on definitely."

“F1 has been working very hard to try and work out what the solution for the world championship is," Pringle said. “We have been in regular contact with them, and have been asked could we hold a race or two and could they be behind closed doors. The answer is absolutely, we are open to looking into anything and everything."

“I think F1 will make a calendar-wide decision in the earlier part of May," said Pringle. “They can’t set this ball rolling unless they have a solution that stands a fighting chance of running successfully over multiple races. That timescale would suit us if we didn’t have to put in the infrastructure for accommodating the public."