Would a London Grand Prix kill off the Silverstone race?
Discussion
From a TV (where most will be watching) Silverstone is one of the best races of the year. I bet the drivers enjoy it as well.
The fact its a sellout pretty much every year means fans that attend races have no problem.
Nowhere else in the UK can run modern F1 cars as they are all micky mouse circuits with terrible access as well.
Proposed london race idea is always floated because the hope is someone else will pay for it,probably the taxpayer who will then be shocked to find they have to pay £200-300 when they turn up for the race
The fact its a sellout pretty much every year means fans that attend races have no problem.
Nowhere else in the UK can run modern F1 cars as they are all micky mouse circuits with terrible access as well.
Proposed london race idea is always floated because the hope is someone else will pay for it,probably the taxpayer who will then be shocked to find they have to pay £200-300 when they turn up for the race
Fundoreen said:
From a TV (where most will be watching) Silverstone is one of the best races of the year. I bet the drivers enjoy it as well.
The fact its a sellout pretty much every year means fans that attend races have no problem.
Nowhere else in the UK can run modern F1 cars as they are all micky mouse circuits with terrible access as well.
Proposed london race idea is always floated because the hope is someone else will pay for it,probably the taxpayer who will then be shocked to find they have to pay £200-300 when they turn up for the race
I can't argue that UK tax-payers miss the point when the media tell them that 'they're paying' for something. The media do a great job of that!The fact its a sellout pretty much every year means fans that attend races have no problem.
Nowhere else in the UK can run modern F1 cars as they are all micky mouse circuits with terrible access as well.
Proposed london race idea is always floated because the hope is someone else will pay for it,probably the taxpayer who will then be shocked to find they have to pay £200-300 when they turn up for the race
Silverstone is one of the best races of the year though?? I accept that it's one of the best races to watch on TV as opposed to going to in person... It's not a highlight for me though. At best it has a habit of being unpredictable, but rarely any real incident or excitement compared to other circuits. Once it's underway, it's normally fairly progressive. Barring a DNF, the car that leads from the start doesn't have very much problem stretching out a safe gap for the rest of the race.
There is definitely a problem in terms of the lack of fully-developed circuits in the UK - places like Cadwell Park may well be a lot of fun in a Clio 172 but they aren't really up to top-flight motorsport. We really could do with a new venue, a circuit of decent length with plenty of elevation change, somewhere that land is relatively inexpensive...
Hey, I've had a brilliant idea! Why not somewhere in the Welsh Valleys? Somewhere like, say, Ebbw Vale. You could call it the "Circuit of Wales". Get some proper investment in place, secure some Welsh government funding, and get the builders in! Maybe build a technology park nearby? Even open a new sports car factory using an iconic but currently disused brand like, hmm, TVR?
Hey, I've had a brilliant idea! Why not somewhere in the Welsh Valleys? Somewhere like, say, Ebbw Vale. You could call it the "Circuit of Wales". Get some proper investment in place, secure some Welsh government funding, and get the builders in! Maybe build a technology park nearby? Even open a new sports car factory using an iconic but currently disused brand like, hmm, TVR?
RoverP6B said:
There is definitely a problem in terms of the lack of fully-developed circuits in the UK - places like Cadwell Park may well be a lot of fun in a Clio 172 but they aren't really up to top-flight motorsport. We really could do with a new venue, a circuit of decent length with plenty of elevation change, somewhere that land is relatively inexpensive...
Hey, I've had a brilliant idea! Why not somewhere in the Welsh Valleys? Somewhere like, say, Ebbw Vale. You could call it the "Circuit of Wales". Get some proper investment in place, secure some Welsh government funding, and get the builders in! Maybe build a technology park nearby? Even open a new sports car factory using an iconic but currently disused brand like, hmm, TVR?
By the same token there are thousands of hectares of achingly beautiful Scottish highlands that could be used. The problem with Welsh or Scottish locations for a track pretty much comes down to what we define as 'British'. All three countries are British, it's just that most British are English (scum that we are..) and as such, these global events have a funny way of landing within the English borders.Hey, I've had a brilliant idea! Why not somewhere in the Welsh Valleys? Somewhere like, say, Ebbw Vale. You could call it the "Circuit of Wales". Get some proper investment in place, secure some Welsh government funding, and get the builders in! Maybe build a technology park nearby? Even open a new sports car factory using an iconic but currently disused brand like, hmm, TVR?
Even if there were to be such a GP venue, it would remain the 'British' GP. Not 'Circuit of Wales'.
Having said all that, I personally quite like the idea of the track being in Wales
Visions of the dragon sculptures and flags, a podium with one of those unfathomably long welsh names across the top and the drivers trying their best to utter a fer words in Welsh would put a smile on my face. And as you say, those valleys, aren't doing very much and it could be spectacular.The problem is money to make the circuit and facilities. The reality is that Silverstone has already made that investment many years ago, and albeit begrudgingly just about keeps up with the modern F1 requirements. For anywhere else to be remotely feasible would require a huge hit of investment and also somehow to generate enough non-F1 races a year to maintain the circuit financially. Silverstone already has that position and sooooo much money would be burned in the many years it would take a new venue to fill it's calendar and make the ends meet.
Mr Pointy said:
Really? 99.99999% of F1 fans would say Baku is better than Paul Ricard, despite the latter having a long racing history. Singapore is a pretty good track too. Sochi is utter s
te though, as was Valencia. Monaco is tedious & should be dropped.
If you're going to bring democracy into it you need to strike off 8 of the 21 races this year.
Yup - happy to do so. te though, as was Valencia. Monaco is tedious & should be dropped.If you're going to bring democracy into it you need to strike off 8 of the 21 races this year.
RoverP6B said:
Silverstone as a track is as dull as dishwater, and always has been. Rip up the circuit, tear down that eyesore "Wing" building and return it to being what it was designed to be - an airfield. Ditto Snetterton, Croft etc. If there's one type of circuit even more guaranteed to produce boring racing
What are you on about. More often than not Silverstone produces the most exciting races in a championship, including F1. Yesterday was a case in point. Most of the corners and complex are mythical and copied the world over. I don't know how many track days a year you do but most UK billies rank Silverstone and Snet very highly. When did you last drive there? The closest I've ever come to driving on track was early driving lessons on an airfield near Carnoustie in my teens, nearly half a century ago. I have no interest in track days.
Anyway, Silverstone is nowhere near as exciting as Spa or Monza. There were a few moments of excitement yesterday, but for the most part spectacle was lacking, no sign of cars moving around under load and weight transfer... and the Wing is still an eyesore.
Anyway, Silverstone is nowhere near as exciting as Spa or Monza. There were a few moments of excitement yesterday, but for the most part spectacle was lacking, no sign of cars moving around under load and weight transfer... and the Wing is still an eyesore.
RoverP6B said:
The closest I've ever come to driving on track was early driving lessons on an airfield near Carnoustie in my teens, nearly half a century ago. I have no interest in track days.
Anyway, Silverstone is nowhere near as exciting as Spa or Monza. There were a few moments of excitement yesterday, but for the most part spectacle was lacking, no sign of cars moving around under load and weight transfer... and the Wing is still an eyesore.
Try picture another snorefest of a street circuit in one of the busiest/sAnyway, Silverstone is nowhere near as exciting as Spa or Monza. There were a few moments of excitement yesterday, but for the most part spectacle was lacking, no sign of cars moving around under load and weight transfer... and the Wing is still an eyesore.
ttest cities in the world. I really hope they don't bring an f1 race into London. 
With the addition of a London GP I suspect Silverstone could still sell the same number of GA tickets and close to the same number of grandstand seats provided it kept it's traditonal July date on the calendar. But would it keep the July date because there would be a desire to space the two races out? That was likely a big question during the contract negotiation.
The other reason why Silverstone is probably nervous about a London race is corporate hospitality. Whilst Silverstone does not see any money from the Paddock Club it does get all the other suites, boxes and hospitality money. Host your guests - likely not hardcore race fans - at an event in the middle of one of the world's great cities or in the middle of a field in Northamptonshire?
The other reason why Silverstone is probably nervous about a London race is corporate hospitality. Whilst Silverstone does not see any money from the Paddock Club it does get all the other suites, boxes and hospitality money. Host your guests - likely not hardcore race fans - at an event in the middle of one of the world's great cities or in the middle of a field in Northamptonshire?
Thinking through the original question a little more...
A London F1 street circuit probably couldn't fail. Whatever the cost, there are enough very well paid people in London that would pay for access even if they weren't really F1 fans. Add to that all the EU fans that would come over to also have a London city break, it's not hard to see the sums working.
As for silverstone.. Well a London GP wouldn't really effect it very much. We all know that Silverstone is a proper race circuit whilst whatever they wedge in to London will be heavily compromised on way or another. The are enough British F1 fans that will want to go to Silverstone for a more traditional race, both could sit side by side (or at least far enough apart for people to save up for both...).
I can't see Liberty going for it, they want to add new territories with a bias to North America, not have a second race in the tiny island of Englandland. But from our perspective as a viable two race hosting country, I think it would work just fine.
Also, apparently from the outside tourists consider London different from the rest of the country - which is probably fair. It wouldn't be too jarring to have a 'British' and a 'London' GP on the calendar. Some of the Americans I meet think London is somehow in France - in fact they seem to think most of Europe is somehow in France
A London F1 street circuit probably couldn't fail. Whatever the cost, there are enough very well paid people in London that would pay for access even if they weren't really F1 fans. Add to that all the EU fans that would come over to also have a London city break, it's not hard to see the sums working.
As for silverstone.. Well a London GP wouldn't really effect it very much. We all know that Silverstone is a proper race circuit whilst whatever they wedge in to London will be heavily compromised on way or another. The are enough British F1 fans that will want to go to Silverstone for a more traditional race, both could sit side by side (or at least far enough apart for people to save up for both...).
I can't see Liberty going for it, they want to add new territories with a bias to North America, not have a second race in the tiny island of Englandland. But from our perspective as a viable two race hosting country, I think it would work just fine.
Also, apparently from the outside tourists consider London different from the rest of the country - which is probably fair. It wouldn't be too jarring to have a 'British' and a 'London' GP on the calendar. Some of the Americans I meet think London is somehow in France - in fact they seem to think most of Europe is somehow in France
RoverP6B said:
The closest I've ever come to driving on track was early driving lessons on an airfield near Carnoustie in my teens, nearly half a century ago. I have no interest in track days.
You've formed an opinion of tracks you've never driven. Silverstone is always one of the drivers' favorite and yesterday was no exception. The Maggotts/Becketts/Chapel complex is absolutely mesmerising as a driver or a spectator, not many will argue the opposite. Stowe is an incredible challenge, Club etc etcRoverP6B said:
Anyway, Silverstone is nowhere near as exciting as Spa or Monza. There were a few moments of excitement yesterday, but for the most part spectacle was lacking, no sign of cars moving around under load and weight transfer... and the Wing is still an eyesore.
The cars move around a lot at Silverstone, as much as any other circuit, probably a bit more actually. In my experience anyway.
You slag off Snet too but you've never driven the bomb hole or Carum, that's pretty obvious. They are very special challenges because of the topography and the non constant radius.
It's OK to have opinions, but probably a bit silly when they're based on absolutely no experience,.
thegreenhell said:
Why do you need to drive a track to have an opinion on whether it produces dull races on TV or not?
You don't. It has produced the best F1 race this year and usually the best WEC race of the year. What's dull about it? It's a gem as a driver and as a spectator, which explains why it has the biggest crowd on the calendar and is always sold out.Driving it does add a good layer when watching others race there actually.
Edited by nickfrog on Monday 15th July 22:55
There is only one circuit worth the money to drive and it's in Germany.
It was my first and last track day of sorts, and nothing else comes close.
Silverstone would still bloody sell out if it was 500 quid a ticket British fans are so easily pleased, they can't go wrong there.
And exciting? I would call winning the cricket more so unfortunately, and I listened to that for nothing on the radio lol
It was my first and last track day of sorts, and nothing else comes close.
Silverstone would still bloody sell out if it was 500 quid a ticket British fans are so easily pleased, they can't go wrong there.
And exciting? I would call winning the cricket more so unfortunately, and I listened to that for nothing on the radio lol
chunder27 said:
There is only one circuit worth the money to drive and it's in Germany.
It was my first and last track day of sorts, and nothing else comes close.
Silverstone would still bloody sell out if it was 500 quid a ticket British fans are so easily pleased, they can't go wrong there.
And exciting? I would call winning the cricket more so unfortunately, and I listened to that for nothing on the radio lol
1) Did you enjoy the GP at Silverstone? It was my first and last track day of sorts, and nothing else comes close.
Silverstone would still bloody sell out if it was 500 quid a ticket British fans are so easily pleased, they can't go wrong there.
And exciting? I would call winning the cricket more so unfortunately, and I listened to that for nothing on the radio lol
2) Which track in Germany!? Are you really saying that's the only one track in the world worth the money to drive?
3) British fans are not easily pleased. We're famous as a nation of tight arsed whingers. Silverstone sells out because we are the home of F1 and there are a lot of native and passionate fans here, irrespective of what the paywall limited TV viewing figures suggest.
4) Stop complaining all the time. I genuinely hope that you do it to troll, the only other possibility is that you're the most miserable person I have ever come across. A nonsense after the best race for a very long time.
Try harder to get on-board.
Doesn't matter what you do with funny corner radii, these flat-as-a-pancake former bomber airfields are dull as hell to watch racing on, and to describe any part of Silverstone as mesmerising is frankly bullst. A London street circuit would be no less a proper racetrack than Silverstone or Snetterton.
With regard to the latter, a far better Norfolk airfield to use as a racetrack would be Swanton Morley... far more going on there with curves and corners, albeit it's still a bit flat. Could be an East Anglian Goodwood.
t. A London street circuit would be no less a proper racetrack than Silverstone or Snetterton.With regard to the latter, a far better Norfolk airfield to use as a racetrack would be Swanton Morley... far more going on there with curves and corners, albeit it's still a bit flat. Could be an East Anglian Goodwood.
Pretty much all the current F1 drivers and ex-F1 drivers wax lyrical about how amazing Silverstone is and the awesome challenge it presents for drivers and spectators, yet there are still a few on here wanting another cloned soulless street circuit car park...
We should be grateful we have such an awesome circuit in our home country. It's up there with Monza, Spa and Suzuka
We should be grateful we have such an awesome circuit in our home country. It's up there with Monza, Spa and Suzuka
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