London to hold Formula 1 demo on Wednesday ahead of British GP
Written by News on 12/07/2017
Formula 1 cars will take to the streets of London for the first time in over a decade tonight, and you can watch it live on Sky Sports F1.
The demonstration run ahead of this weekend’s British GP sees all the 2017 F1 teams and their drivers descend on the capital, and Natalie Pinkham and Martin Brundle will be among the hosts for Sky F1’s coverage of the event from 6pm.
The three-hour broadcast of the spectacular show, the first of its kind in London since a Regent Street demonstration in 2004, will feature F1 cars and iconic landmarks, as well as interviews with Silverstone legends, team principals and drivers.
What’s more, there will be special guests, bands and a full parade in preparation for one of the biggest races on the calendar – with our Wednesday night show between 6pm and 9pm live on Sky Sports F1, Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports Mix.
And that’s not all for Formula 1 on Sky Sports on Wednesday, either, as the F1 Report: Britain Preview show immediately follows the London event on Sky F1 at 9pm.
What exactly is happening on Wednesday?
F1 Live London is being staged to ‘celebrate a new era, focused on bringing fans closer to the world’s most exhilarating sport. The live stage show in Trafalgar Square and car parade on Whitehall will also mark the first time in Formula 1 history that all 10 teams have come together outside of a race weekend to put on a show for the public.
‘The event will be formed of two parts – an F1 Schools and Innovation Showcase from 12pm to 4pm and the F1 Live London Show and Parade from 5.30pm to 9pm.
‘From 5.30pm to 9:00pm, Trafalgar Square will host the biggest live show in its history, including appearances from Formula 1 stars and legends as well as a number of celebrity guests. Show cars will be lined up outside the National Gallery while others will form a spectacular moving display, going from Whitehall up to Trafalgar Square and back again. There will be music as well as a number of interviews with F1 drivers as well as leading figures in the sport.’
What’s the weather forecast?
Will Lewis Hamilton be present?
One high-profile absentee from the event is likely to be Lewis Hamilton.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Mercedes driver tweeted: "To my loving fans, I can’t wait to see you in Silverstone. Until then, I’m away on a two day break. God Bless you all. Love, Lewis"
Hamilton then uploaded a video on Twitter of himself holidaying:
However, Jenson Button has confirmed he will be in attendance and it’s reported that F1 world champion Nico Rosberg will be present too.
Could the next step be a race in London?
Wednesday night’s event will inevitably spark speculation that a grand prix could be held in the English capital in the near future.
That prospect moved a step closer in April following a law change allowing motorsports to take place on public roads and three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has already given his backing to a London GP.
"I hope in the future there is a London Grand Prix," Hamilton said.
"I feel like we need two British Grands Prix, and even though London is already massive on the map for being a pretty small place, that would be awesome."
The demo comes amid uncertainty over the British GP’s future after 2019 with Silverstone’s owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) activating a break clause in their contract.
Silverstone confirm break from British GP contract
The circuit has a contract to host the race until 2027, but with the fee to host the GP increasing each year, Silverstone has taken up the option of ending the contract early.
F1 CEO Chase Carey told SSNHQ in January that Liberty Media were committed to keeping a British race, but did not guarantee it would remain at Silverstone – the current host of the British GP.
The prospect of London either joining, or replacing, Silverstone on an F1 calendar of the future has long been mooted.
A similar demonstration on Regent Street in 2004 proved hugely successful, with more than 250,000 fans attending and showcased what may be possible.
In 2012, Santander whetted the appetite for what could be achieved by commissioning architects Populous, the design firm behind Silverstone’s Wing complex and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, to come up with a CGI design and feasibility study for a London race.
The mock-up featured a track which passed landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
Don’t miss the British GP live on Sky Sports F1 on July 16 – lights out for the race is at 1pm. Check out all the ways to watch F1 on Sky Sports for subscribers and non-subscribers – including a NOW TV day pass for £6.99!
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(c) Sky News 2017: London to hold Formula 1 demo on Wednesday ahead of British GP
