Silverstone fear after new quarantine blow

THE British Grand Prix hung in the balance last night after the Government left Formula One off its quarantine exemption list. While that appeared to end any hope of Silverstone hosting its premier event, as well as a second race in late July, talks are ongoing. A government source told

Sportsmail: ‘We are aware that there are a number of highprofile international sporting events due to take place over the summer. These events are putting in place stringent protocols so that they can operate. We will work with them in the coming weeks and will set out more detail at the next review point.’ F1 owners Liberty Media want to announce their calendar next week and cannot wait indefinitely — with Germany’s Hockenheim needing to know if it will be called up as an alternative venue.

Home Secretary Priti Patel confirmed that arrivals from abroad will be required to selfisolate for 14 days from June 8, with only exemptions for lorry drivers, medics and fruit pickers. This means all the 1,000-plus travelling F1 circus would have to quarantine when they travel back from the opening two rounds in Austria, rendering Silverstone an impossibility. The policy will be reviewed every three weeks. An F1 spokesman said: ‘We have been working closely with government on the implications for Formula One and Silverstone, and those discussions are ongoing with the aim of finding a solution with safety our first priority.’