PM Boris Johnson issues British Grand Prix order to cabinet - "make Formula 1 happen"

British Grand Prix

PM Boris Johnson issues British Grand Prix order to cabinet - "make Formula 1 happen"

Silverstone's two planned F1 dates may yet get reprieve

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 26 May 2020 10:35 Updated: 10:43

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reported to have told his cabinet ministers to "make Formula 1 happen" with regard to the two planned grands prix at Silverstone.

The British Grand Prix, and a second unnamed race, have been teetering on the brink of falling off this year's F1 calendar following a government directive due to come into force on June 8 that all international arrivals into the UK will be quarantined for a two-week period.

With no exemptions for sports, this has naturally placed Silverstone's double-header on July 19 and 26, potentially August 2, in imminent danger of being axed.

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The exemption policy is due to be reviewed every three weeks, but there is a race against time at play as F1 needs to have concrete plans in place given the organisation and logistics involved in organising 'locked-down' grands prix.

According to The Times, Johnson is understood to have personally intervened and instructed culture secretary Oliver Dowden, health secretary Matt Hancock and home secretary Priti Patel to ensure the races can go ahead.

Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle has conceded he has some leeway with regard to possible dates but recognises an answer is required sooner rather than later.

"I've got flexibility in the calendar, and of course we've got our original dates we've been holding and talking around in mid-late July. But we've got a degree of flexibility through August as well," Pringle told Sky Sports.

"So I don't think that finding a date for Formula 1 is going to be a problem, or indeed two dates. What we need is the green light from the government and that will take time."

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