British GP given green light after government U-turn following talks with F1 chiefs
THE BRITISH GP is set to get the green light after a sensational U-turn by the government.
The race – that was scheduled for July 19 – had initially been canned due to the new 14-day quarantine measures that start on June 8.
However, SunSport understands the two Silverstone races will now be switched to July 26 and August 2 after Boris Johnson intervened.It is a huge boost to F1 after the coronavirus pandemic caused the sport to scrap or postpone the opening 10 races.
It also means the sport will be able to celebrate its 70th birthday – albeit behind closed doors.
Last Friday, the Home Secretary revealed quarantine rules will force new arrivals to self-isolate for two weeks.
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That appeared to kill off any hopes of having the British GP this season.
However, F1 bosses have been working closely with the government and provided details on how they would run the closed event.
Reduced staff numbers, strict coronavirus testing and social distancing measures will be in place.
And now the government are set to relax the list of exemptions to their new quarantine measures to include F1 personnel.
It is understood that the order to get F1 off the start line came from the Prime Minister.
The move would kick-start the British motorsport industry that is home to seven of the 10 F1 teams.
An F1 spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with government on the implications of the policy for Formula One and Silverstone and those discussions are ongoing at this time with the aim of finding a solution with safety as our first priority.”
Meanwhile, Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle had earlier said the Northamptonshire circuit would be willing to roll back the race date to August.
And track chiefs are now waiting for the final approval from Whitehall.
Pringle said: “We have got our original dates in mid to late July but we have got a degree of flexibility in August. I don’t think it will be a problem finding dates for two races.
“What we need is the green light from the government and that will take time. Formula One as a championship needs that exemption.
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“For Silverstone we can probably move into August with our dates but it is essential there is clarity on the quarantine situation ahead of that.”
F1 are set to announce the season will kick off in Austria on July 5 with a second race on July 8.
They will then head to either Germany or Hungary for further races behind closed doors before heading to Silverstone.