Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 can’t turn its back on Silverstone and believes there is the capacity for two events in Britain.
The current deal between Liberty Media and the British Grand Prix expires at the end of 2019, though it is understood that a new contract is set to be reached.
Formula 1’s inaugural race took place at Silverstone in 1950, with the circuit having been a mainstay on the schedule since 1987.
“There are some really awesome circuits and Silverstone is one of those,” said Hamilton.
“The UK is really amongst the foundation of what this sport is and if you start taking away the legendary races and it’s all just new ones, you lose all the history and all the culture which is what Formula 1 is.
“So I truly believe they have to keep Formula 1 in the UK and particularly Silverstone, it’s such an awesome track, such an awesome place. One of the biggest turnouts of all season. Can’t turn your back on that.
“It wouldn't be bad to have two races in UK, because I think London would be awesome for the country and tourism and all that kind of stuff, such a big noise and event in the world.
“I don’t know if it will happen. As long as we have one of them. We have all these great tracks in the UK. Don’t know who designed them all but they did a great job.”
Formula 1 is set to feature two new/returning events in 2020 in the shape of Vietnam and the Netherlands, though Hamilton has warned that the sport must find the right balance of events.
“Liberty is doing a good job in terms of bringing other places into the sport,” he said.
“We’ve just got to be careful though that when [you] choose tracks you choose places with a great fan base and yes we’ve got to create new fan bases in places, but also got to find a track that’s going to deliver exciting races.
“Sometimes I can already tell you how bad the race is going to be, in some of the places they have decided to bring on.
“There’s great places and a big fan base there but the race isn’t going to be great. Not going to say where that is but you will see next year.”
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