Silverstone confirms that it is to host back-to-back Grands Prix, subject to government approval.

"I am delighted to confirm that Silverstone and Formula 1 have reached an agreement in principle to host two races behind closed doors this summer," said Silverstone Managing Director, Stuart Pringle in a statement today.

"However these races will be subject to Government approval, as our priority is the safety of all involved and strict compliance with COVID-19 regulations," he added.

"I would like to thank all our fans who have been so supportive throughout this and to assure them we are determined to do all we can to help Formula 1 put on a show this summer."

However, having previously appeared to have counted his chickens just a little too early, Pringle subsequently told the Guardian: "We're not talking dates because F1 are still trying to knit their calendar together and there seems to be a certain amount of flexibility.

"It is very much subject to government approval," he stressed. "If the government aren't happy, it won't happen."

While the announcement suggests that both parties have resolved the previous stumbling block in terms of the financial arrangement, with the Northamptonshire track said to be seeking around £15m from F1, there remains the little matter of the government approval.

From the end of May, the government is set to introduce a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travellers arriving in the UK, and while there has been talk of exemptions this has not yet been confirmed.

Meanwhile, as we have recently reported, the government is considering the advice given by leading virologists who claim that all drivers and team personnel will need to be tested twice over a period of 5-days before the event, and this would involve a 5-day isolation period.

Today's news follows the Belgian government's green flag for the race at Spa-Francorchamps, which like Silverstone, would be held behind closed doors.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by TokyoAussie, 19/05/2020 3:34

"Assuming all the health aspects can be sorted (not sure how) for any race, why bother with back-to-back races? From a racing perspective, I don't want to see the same cars finish in the same order on the same track two weeks in a row. Sure there'd be some unpredictability, but presumably less than normal. And there is bugger all unpredictability as it is already.

I would prefer races be held on different tracks, where possible, and all of them be non-championship races. It used to be a thing."

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2. Posted by Nick A, 18/05/2020 16:47

"Also some officials and marshals will commute to and from the circuit. what, one wonders , will be the testing regime for them, both at Silverstone and elsewhere? "

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3. Posted by nnails, 17/05/2020 16:28

"Will both be free to air
"

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4. Posted by Editor, 16/05/2020 7:39 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 16/05/2020 7:40)

"@ Pipsary

Re: "Looking forward to a lot more clarity on this one."

You are not alone

"

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5. Posted by Lakota, 15/05/2020 21:32

"It's a start 😊😊😊"

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6. Posted by BillH, 15/05/2020 20:26

"@Pipsary, thanks for your insight into your marshalling experience.
I too am wondering how your questions will be answered.
Maybe the marshals and other volunteers are going to have to be compensated for their time for this as it would take people away from their usual work (assuming they are working) for longer than usual.
The testing for the drivers and teams would have to be extended to everyone involved in the event."

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7. Posted by Pipsary, 15/05/2020 18:16 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 16/05/2020 7:40)

"When they say "Virologists who claim that all drivers and team personnel will need to be tested twice over a period of 5-days before the event, and this would involve a 5-day isolation period". What will happen to those of us who Marshal at the event over which is usually 5 days, we also camp at the event. And what happens after we leave, do we hope for the best? And now they want us to do it over two consecutive weekends! Looking forward to a lot more clarity on this one."

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8. Posted by Anthony, 15/05/2020 16:15

"I still can’t see this happening unless the quarantine rules are not implemented. "

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Silverstone to host two races

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