Silverstone hopes boosted by quarantine exemption

Silverstone's hopes of hosting the Formula 1 British Grand Prix this year have been given a significant boost by the UK government granting the sport an exemption from the 14-day quarantine period for international arrivals.

Currently, there are plans for two races at Silverstone, one on August 2 with the second one-week later on August 9. The introduction of a 14-day quarantine period, due to come into force from June 8, put the brakes on these plans.

However, calls from prime minister Boris Johnson to allow the event to go ahead appear to have been answered, although it is understood that personnel will need to supply detailed plans of travel arrangements and movements for the duration of their stay.

On Saturday, Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said, "It's up to each individual sport to decide exactly when to resume competition; they know their sports best.

"But football, tennis, horse racing, F1, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are set to return to our screens shortly, with horse racing first out of the gate in the north-east next week.”

In response, a Formula 1 spokesperson said: "We welcome the government's efforts to ensure elite sport can continue to operate and their support for our return to racing.

"We will maintain a close dialogue with them in the coming weeks as we prepare to start our season in the first week of July.”

As will be the case with other races towards the beginning of the season, the pair of races at Silverstone will take place behind closed doors.

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