The idea of holding a GP on the streets of London is not new. In fact, it has been broadcast since the times when Bernie Ecclestone was still the absolute powerhouse in Formula One, and now it is gaining momentum and now losing it. However, in an interview with the Evening Standard, the mayor of the British capital, Sadiq Khan, expressed his desire to take the test on the city streets as soon as possible.
We have spoken to F1 and they have been very responsive. The truth is that the current world champion is British. Lewis Hamilton is the pride of the nation and the sport, and it would be great to have a GP in the capital, with London and Silverstone on the calendar. I think next year will be very early, but I’m really impressed with F1’s work and I’m ready to bring (the race to London) as soon as possible – the mayor explains
Fernando Alonso driving a McLaren in London in 2017 – Photo: Getty Images
Also in 2012, Bernie Ecclestone said he was willing to invest 35 million pounds (about 247 million Brazilian riyals) to conduct the race. The excitement was so great that the manager discussed it, asserting that hosting a stage of F1 would be “much better” for London than hosting the Olympics, which took place shortly after the same year.
In 2017, with F1 under the management of Liberty Media, the class took nearly every driver on the grid to the streets of London in a huge event. Cars, at various times, tore through Trafalgar Square, in the central area of the city, creating smoke with scratches made by drivers.