London could join Silverstone in Formula 1. London could join Silverstone in Formula 1.

Ross Brawn, the Formula One Managing Director of Motorsports and technical director, admitted that a grand prix in the centre of London would be “unacceptable”, but at the same time added that his bosses at Liberty Media are interested in a race “on the periphery” of the British capital.

Brawn’s comments to the Evening Standard come amid reports Silverstone, the traditional host of the British grand prix, is making a new bid to stay on the calendar beyond 2019: “I don’t think Londoners really need to worry about us taking over the centre of London for a week,” he said – “But there are things on the periphery that are being explored — not slap-bang in the centre of London but Greater London.”

London could be interested. A mayor’s office spokesperson said: “London is always open to hosting the world’s biggest and best sport events – from the final of UEFA Euro 2020 to the NFL, and the Cricket World Cup to Major League Baseball. The Mayor believes that it should be possible to organise a race in London in the future and has asked his team to explore options with F1.” – he explained.

However, Ross Brawn played down fears Liberty Media is trying to replace Silverstone: “We’d like to see London complement Silverstone, not replace it. We could see ways we could make it work both sides,” – Formula One’s Managing Director of Motorsports concluded.