Terms between F1 and the home of the British GP agreed for grands prix on July 26 and August 2; F1 planning to start season with Austria double-header in July
Wednesday 24 June 2020 15:02, UK
Silverstone has agreed terms with Formula 1 to hold two races on consecutive weekends in July and August.
The grands prix would be held on July 26 and August 2. A contract is not yet signed but expected soon, Sky Sports F1 understands.
Silverstone had already confirmed it planned to run any race behind closed doors, and that the plans are subject to government approval and all required safety conditions being met.
"I'm delighted we've got an agreement in principle to host not one but two Formula 1 races at Silverstone this summer," Stuart Pringle, Silverstone's managing director, told Sky Sports.
"It's great news for Silverstone, it's great news for the championship. It is of course entirely subject to the government approving it and the situation nationally allowing sport behind closed doors to take place. It's very important I make that caveat clear."
F1 is also within close discussion with the UK government about its logistical and safety plans. The government has said this week that elite sporting events behind-closed-doors could take place from June.
The sport plans to start the season with a similar double header at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 5 and July 12.
It will be the first time in history that venues have staged two grands prix in the same season.
Formula 1 is putting in place extensive and rigorous measures to allow the behind-closed-doors events and racing to be resumed safely, with F1's motorsports chief Ross Brawn recently telling Sky Sports that it would in effect create a "bubble of isolation" around the sport and travelling personnel.
The season would then break for a week before heading to Silverstone for the first of two events.
Although loathed to run races without spectators in attendance, Pringle says he has been "hugely heartened and humbled" by the response of fans who had tickets for this year's event in their understanding of the situation - and says "the vast majority" have asked for their passes to be transferred to 2021, rather than requesting a refund.
As a way of saying thanks, Pringle revealed a special collaboration with Sky Sports F1.
"As a thank you to those that want to move their tickets forward to next year, we're working with Sky to create some exclusive content only available to ticket holders for the 2020 grand prix," said Pringle.
"That's going to be really special stuff that I'm very excited about to work with the Sky Sports F1 team to create."
The Belgian GP, meanwhile, scheduled for the end of August, can go ahead without spectators at the famous Spa circuit.
"The Belgian Grand Prix can be held behind closed doors, as well as all the necessary prior training," the Belgian region of Wallonia said in a statement.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit said on its website that it had implemented health and prevention measures to comply with directives.
