Earlier this week, the internet was rampant with headlines about the would-be London Grand Prix.
Multiple reports indicated Formula 1 was in active discussion to welcome a street circuit race around East London’s Royal Docks area – which currently hosts a Formula E event – complete with an extensive £250 million ($455 million) redevelopment proposal courtesy of built environment experts LDN Collective and consultancy firm DAR.
With a 3.6-mile / 22-turn track at the centrepiece along with a partially-converted ExCeL Centre as its pitlane and a floating grandstand, the prospect understandably attracted every kind of attention; as well as inevitably drawing comparisons with Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where the Canadian Grand Prix is hosted.
But as with most cases, if it sounds too good to be true, chances are it probably is.
RELATED: Charles Leclerc Addresses Rumours That He’s Leaving Ferrari For Mercedes
ESPN was the first to burst our bubble: “These plans have not been discussed with F1, who do not think the proposed area is the right place to host a race in the city – a race anywhere in London at this stage still seems far-fetched.”
Soon after, an F1 spokesperson contacted directly by PlanetF1.com stated the following:
“There are no plans for a docklands Grand Prix. We have a long-standing relationship with Silverstone.”
Although the London Grand Prix might not be an addition to the annual race calendar anytime soon, you’ll be happy to hear the answer is simply “not now” as opposed to “never.”
RELATED: Unsurprisingly, Las Vegas Grand Prix Hotel Room Prices Are Already Bloody Ridiculous
Last year, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali entertained the possibility of squeezing in more races across any given year, spotlighting some brand new locations (i.e. the forthcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix) as well as revisiting others.
“I think there is potential to go to 24 [races]. I would say there is potential to go to 30!”
“Not only Las Vegas, there are other cities that are interested in Formula 1,” Domenicali told Martin Brundle via Sky Sports F1.
“On top of America, on top of China, I think there is a potential also to be in Africa soon. There is a lot of interest there. For sure that’s another area that so far is missing in the geography of our calendar.”
The last time Africa hosted a grand prix along the continent’s southern tip was back in 1993, bringing the motorsport action to Gauteng’s Kyalami circuit.
Seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton himself has previously expressed a desire to return here. But personally, our interest lies in the long-discussed street circuit event around Egypt.
