Silverstone secures British GP for 10 more years
New F1 contract grants Silverstone the rights to host the British Grand Prix to 2034
A new contract with F1 means that the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone until 2034
Drew Gibson
Formula 1 has halted any fresh tension over the future of the British Grand Prix by granting a new deal that will keep the race at Silverstone until at least 2034.
The 10-year contract, signed well ahead of the edition this year which will be the last under the current deal, deservedly maintains the British GP’s unbroken run since it hosted the first world championship grand prix in 1950. The days of Bernie Ecclestone sniping at Silverstone are long gone, with the race now recognised as one of the best-run. Last year it drew a crowd of 480,000 across the weekend.
“This contractual security will provide a solid base for the further development of the venue as we continue to improve and transform the circuit into a year-round international motor sport and leisure destination,” said BRDC chairman Peter Digby.
Meanwhile, an MPs’ all-parliamentary group for motor sport welcomed the deal, while adding it “hopes and expects” the race to continue to be broadcast free-to-air. Currently, the GP is the only race Channel 4 shows live, with Sky Sports F1 holding exclusive live rights for the other 23 races.