Quarantine plans could scupper Silverstone's hopes of staging F1 double-header

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Credit: PA

Silverstone's hopes of staging a Formula 1 double header this season could be in serious doubt if the UK government doesn't budge on its plans to quarantine international travellers, it's emerged.

The Northamptonshire circuit struck a deal with F1 to host two races this summer behind closed doors.

However, F1 says it will be "impossible" to stage the races if drivers and teams aren't given exemptions to travel to the UK.

The government will soon insist anyone arriving into the UK from abroad must self-isolate for 14 days.

"A 14 day quarantine would make it impossible to have a British Grand Prix this year," an F1 spokesperson said.

"Additionally it has a major impact on literally tens of thousands of jobs linked to F1 and supply chains."

The races could now be in serious doubt. Credit: PA

If the government continue to stand their ground, the Silverstone races would have to be dropped, and would likely to be held at Hockenheim in Germany instead.

F1 says it would take every measure possible to ensure the risk of spreading the virus would be be minimal - including testing all staff and only travelling into the country via "F1 occupied aircraft."

"We would be travelling back to the UK on F1 only occupied aircraft and all staff would be tested making a quarantine totally unnecessary," said the spokesperson.

"If all elite sport is to return to TV then exemptions must be provided."

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