The British Grand Prix has received a further boost after the UK government confirmed closed-door sports events can start from Monday.
Formula 1 currently plans to hold two races at Silverstone this summer, though the exact dates are still not yet certain as talks continue over trying to gain an exemption from a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers entering the country.
That is expected to be granted, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson supporting F1’s efforts, though uncertainty over the timeframe means the double-header is now more likely to be pushed back into August, rather than late July.
Still, with the announcement that UK sport can recommence next month, all the hurdles now appear clear for Silverstone to proceed.
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“Now for more than two months after sport stopped and after round-the-clock discussions with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I’m delighted to announce today that the government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest and, crucially, only when it’s safe to do so,” Culture secretary Oliver Dowden stated.
“It’s up to each individual sport when to resume competition; they know their sports best.
“But football, tennis, horse racing, Formula 1, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly, with horse racing first out of the gate in the North East next week.
“It’s been a huge challenge to get to this point. We’ve taken a forensic, clinician-led approach, working with Public Health England and the Department of Health every step along the way.”
While F1 is set to take to the track at Silverstone, MotoGP won’t be racing at the home of British motorsport this year after it was confirmed that race and the Australian GP at Phillip Island have both been cancelled.