F1: Max Verstappen ‘can’t imagine’ calendar without British GP at Silverstone

2019 Formula 1 British Grand Prix

• When: 12-14 July
• Where: Silverstone, Northamptonshire, England
• Race start time: 2.10pm on Sunday 14 July
• TV coverage: live on Sky Sports and Channel 4

Verstappen: Silverstone must stay

After winning in Austria last time out Red Bull star Max Verstappen is hoping to continue his good form at this weekend’s F1 British Grand Prix.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The 21-year-old, who is third in the 2019 F1 drivers’ standings, can’t wait to race in front of the huge crowds at Silverstone.

Quoted by GP Fans, he said: “I’m looking forward to Silverstone, especially after our win in Austria. It was a really special moment for everyone in the team and for Honda - all the hard work is beginning to pay off.

“I really enjoy Silverstone Circuit because of the high speed corners, Becketts and Maggots being my favourite, and it’s great fun to drive. I also know it pretty well after racing there in F3 before F1.”

This year’s race could be the last at Silverstone because the circuit’s current contract is due to expire. Reports claims that a new deal is close to being agreed and could be announced before the race on Sunday.

Verstappen is a huge fan of the Northamptonshire circuit and says that it must remain on the schedule.

“I love to see all the British fans camping and supporting us in the grandstands,” he added. “There is always a big turnout and they are definitely some of the most passionate F1 fans in the world.

“Because our factory is just down the road it is another home race for the team so I hope we can continue our progress and put on a great show for everyone on Sunday.

“A lot of great, fast corners is what we like and I can’t imagine the calendar without the British Grand Prix.”

‘You need to see Nelson’s Column from the track’

With Silverstone’s contract yet to be renewed there has been speculation in recent months that a future race could take place in London. Reports have also claimed that a London Grand Prix may not replace Silverstone, but be added as a second British event.

In regards to where a potential London race could be held, locations in the east of the city have been talked about as possibilities.

But in an interview with the Daily Mail, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said that if a grand prix is to be held in London it must be near the city’s most famous landmarks.

Horner said: “You need to be able to see Nelson’s Column and the Queen from the track. It will only work if it’s properly London. It won’t work if it’s in Dagenham.

“A London Grand Prix is interesting. It could be that there is a rotating European Grand Prix, with London as a venue one year.”

Ricciardo: Ferrari rumours nothing new

Daniel Ricciardo has again been linked with a move to Ferrari, this time as a possible replacement for Sebastian Vettel.

Despite the speculation, the Australian says the rumours are nothing new.

The Renault driver told Auto Express: “To be honest, I’ve been seeing articles like for the last three or four years consecutively.

“So it’s not new to me now. I have my contract, it’s a hard contract until the end of 2020, it was a two-year deal.

“So if Seb did walk away this year, then that’s his decision, but I wouldn’t be involved in that.”