Silverstone’s Managing Director Stuart Pringle has stated there is flexibility in the circuit’s calendar should Formula 1 need to make any further schedule changes.
F1 is not currently exempt from the UK government’s introduction of a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone travelling into the country, which is set to come in June 8.
Silverstone was due to host two races in late July and early August after a season-opening double-header in Austria, currently set for July 5/12, but the British events are in jeopardy due to the government ruling.
Discussions between F1, Silverstone and the UK government in trying to get an exemption are ongoing, but Pringle has opened the door for a potential change in dates should it be required.
“We’ve got more space than I’d ideally like in the calendar because we’ve had a lot of bookings drop in and out with people unable to plan,” Pringle told Sky Sports. “And of course there is a knock on effect all the down through national motorsport and down to club level.
“So actually, I have a lot flexibility in the calendar, of course we have original dates that we’ve been holding and been talking around in mid-to-late July, but we’ve got a degree of flexibility through August as well.
“So, I don’t think finding a date for Formula 1 is going to be a problem or even two dates. What we need is the green light from government and that will take time.”
Any event that is able to take place at the venue will have to take place without fans present. This means there is a shorter lead time to prepare the venue, helping with the ability to change dates.
“In terms of the period we need to stand the venue up, without fans present, it’s relatively short,” Pringle added.
“Of course there is a lot of planning that needs to go on to take account of all the covid-19 implications and that is new uncharted territory for us.
“But everything runs out of a fixed infrastructure, we’ve got two permanent paddock blocks, so we’re not talking about putting up too many marquees or fan areas or anything like that, those are the things that take the time.”
