Big Ben and Buckingham Palace home into view in radical new era of Formula 1

CHASE CAREY, the new Formula 1 chief, has resurrected hopes of staging a spectacular grand prix on the streets of London.

Bernie Ecclestone, who on Monday night was forced to concede his four-decade reign of the sport had ended, wanted to host a race in the capital.

But despite throwing his weight behind a number of projects – which would have seen Formula 1 cars roar past significant landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament – he failed to turn his dreams into reality.

But Carey, the sport’s new chairman and chief executive officer following Liberty Media’s £6.4bn acquisition of the sport, wants to see races staged in a number of major cities across the world.

And the American, who has recently moved from his homeland to the capital, revealed that London would have to be considered. “London is a great city,” said Carey, 62. “We have Silverstone in the UK, but London is an option.”

The future of the British Grand Prix was recently cast into doubt after Silverstone’s owners suggested they may activate a break clause to cease racing there beyond 2019. Silverstone agreed a 17-year deal to stage the event from 2010, but are struggling to afford the race fee, which increases annually.

Carey has hired Ross Brawn to look after the sporting and technical side of F1.