F1 could look to London if Silverstone fails to secure deal for British GP - Brawn

Formula One could look to London if Silverstone fails to secure a deal for the British Grand Prix after this year, according to the sport's managing director Ross Brawn. Brawn told reporters that Formula One was determined to race in Britain and Silverstone, which hosted the first championship grand prix in 1950, was the preferred option. "We’re differing in our views of what’s reasonable and what’s not," the Briton said of negotiations.

"Not a massive amount apart but it’s frustrating that we can’t find a solution." Asked about London, which will host a Formula E race next year in the city's Docklands, Brawn said a race nearby might be possible. "I don’t think its feasible to have a race in the middle of London, unfortunately, because the chaos and impact it would have would be too severe," he said. "But on the peripheries of London there’s a number of areas that could work. So I think the question’s open. I don’t see that London would necessarily replace the British Grand Prix, it would be the London Grand Prix."

Brands Hatch, south of London, hosted 12 British Grands Prix between 1964 and 1986 as well as the European Grand Prix in 1983 and 1985. "It didn’t seem that strange (then) that we had a race at Brands Hatch one year and Silverstone the next," said Brawn. He also played down fears that Britain's impending departure from the European Union could be a threat to the sport. Seven of the 10 teams are based in Britain and Toto Wolff, boss of champions Mercedes, recently said a no-deal Brexit would be "the mother of all messes".

Brawn was less concerned about the impact. "There will be some bureaucracy that will come with Brexit that will be a bit painful, but apart from that I’m sure we can make lots of arguments for the negatives and positives as well," he said. "Formula One teams are pretty resourceful and capable and this is not going to stop them racing." The season starts in Australia on March 17 with following races in Bahrain, China and Azerbaijan in late April before returning to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix in May. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, although Prime Minister Theresa May has opened up the possibility of a delay. 

(With inputs from agencies.)