F1: McLaren, Mercedes and George Russell hail Silverstone’s new British GP deal

2019 Formula 1 British Grand Prix

• What: race No.10 on the F1 2019 calendar
• When: 12-14 July
• Where: Silverstone, Northamptonshire, England
• Race start time: 2.10pm on Sunday 14 July
• TV channels: live on Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4
• Race preview

The British Grand Prix will continue to be held at Silverstone until 2024 after a new five-year deal was agreed between Formula 1 and the circuit’s owners.

This year’s event was set to be the last under the terms of the old contract, but just days ahead of the 2019 race it was announced that Silverstone will remain on the F1 calendar.

Silverstone hosted the first F1 world championship race in 1950 and has been the permanent home of the British GP since 1987.

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After two years of negotiations the new contract was confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Chase Carey, chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are really pleased to confirm that the British Grand Prix will stay on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar for at least the next five years, with the event remaining at its long-standing home, Silverstone circuit.

“We have always said that, if it is to have a long-term future, our sport must preserve its historic venues and Silverstone and Great Britain represent the cradle of this sport, its starting point back in 1950.

“Today, Formula 1 is a global sport, held on five continents, watched by an audience of over 500 million fans around the world and our aim is to grow this number by bringing the sport we love to new countries, while also maintaining its roots: Silverstone and the British Grand Prix are an integral part of that vision.”

‘Great news for millions of fans’

John Grant, the chairman of Silverstone’s owners the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) hailed the new deal as “great news” for UK fans.

“Silverstone is one of the most iconic grands prix on the F1 calendar and with such a rich heritage it would have been disastrous for the sport and fans had we not managed to find a way forward,” said Grant.

“This is great news for the BRDC, Silverstone and Formula 1 - and for millions of British motor racing fans.”

How the press reacted to the new deal

Jonathan McEvoy, Daily Mail

“News that the race will be staying at the Northamptonshire circuit is a massive boost to British motor racing. To have lost a foothold in Britain would have been a massive blow for F1, and the sport’s owners Liberty Media were keen to find an accommodation with Silverstone and its owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club.”

PitPass.com

“Today’s confirmation, though great news for British F1 fans, leaves the future of the Italian, German, Mexican and Spanish events in doubt. Though confirmation of the Italian race is thought to be a mere ‘formality’, the addition of Vietnam and the Netherlands, bearing in mind that [Chase] Carey has made clear the 2020 calendar will comprise 21 races, means that Germany, Mexico and Spain look set to be dropped. That said, the fact that only one race - the season opening Australian Grand Prix - has been confirmed by Formula One Management so far, suggests that F1 is as much in the dark as the rest of us.”

How F1 drivers, teams and fans reacted on Twitter