Formula 1’s plans to host two races at Silverstone is under threat due to financial reasons despite initial government approval.
On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed a 50-page document explaining the UK’s plan to gradually ease lockdown measures under their new ‘Stay Alert’ coronavirus policy.
Under it, closed-door sporting events could take place again as soon as June 1st, well ahead of the two expected British Grand Prix dates on July 19 and 26.
The dates mentioned in Johnson’s plan are subject to the continued reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases, however, and may be delayed if necessary.
Another possible hurdle is the requirement of a 14-day quarantine period for all travellers upon arrival to the UK, excluding some areas like the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and Ireland.
However, with F1 looking to create a “biosphere” in the paddock with “bubble isolation” among the 10 teams and strict testing before and during the events, the sport’s bosses are in talks with the government to try and gain an exemption.
All of this could be irrelevant though after it emerged a familiar topic poses a new threat to Silverstone’s F1 plans, money.
The BBC quoted high-level sources as suggesting the circuit and Liberty Media are far apart on the amount of compensation Silverstone would be paid.
The report claims Silverstone is looking to recoup its full normal race fee of £15m, while F1 bosses only want to pay the cost price of holding the two events plus some extras.
“Silverstone and F1 remain in close dialogue with each other and the relevant authorities to try to make a British Grand Prix happen behind closed doors,” a spokesman simply told the BBC.
If no deal is reached, it is understood Hockenheim could step in to follow the two planned races in Austria, while Imola is also offering to fill out a new 2020 calendar.
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