Wheels in motion for two F1 races at Silverstone

TWO Formula One grands prix will be staged at Silverstone this summer, subject to Government approval.

The managing director of the Northamptonshire circuit, Stuart Pringle, said that an agreement in principle had been reached with Formula One to hold two races, immediately after the season begins in Austria.

“I am delighted to confirm that Silverstone and Formula 1 have reached an agreement in principle to host two races behind closed doors this summer,” Pringle said.

“However these races will be subject to Government approval, as our priority is the safety of all involved and strict compliance with Covid-19 regulations.

“We are determined to do all we can to help Formula 1 put on a show this summer.”

There will be no professional tennis until the end of July after the ATP and WTA Tours extended their suspension. The men’s and women’s tours were due to resume on July 13 following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that has now been extended until the end of the month.

It sees ATP Tour events in Hamburg, Bastad, Newport, Los Cabos, Gstaad, Umag, Atlanta and Kitzbuhel all cancelled while Lausanne, Bucharest, and Jurmala will not host tournaments on the WTA Tour.

The US Open is slated for the end of August, with the French Open due in late September.

Wimbledon and the entire British grass-court season has been cancelled with no chance of rearrangement.

Newcastle is set to host the opening fixture if horse racing is able to resume as hoped behind closed doors on June 1. The Derby and Oaks have been pencilled in for July 4.