Ecclestone backs plan for London GP

Bernie Ecclestone has backed the possibility of a Grand Prix staged in the streets of London.

(c) Santander

The circuit plan shows the start finish straight on the Mall, passing Buckingham Palace and going past some historic sites like Trafalgar Square and Nelsons Column. However if plans were put in place and sealed with concrete it would not take the role of the British Grand Prix, due to the Silverstone circuits long term deal.

Click "read more" for more details + the official virtual look at the circuit with the two Mclaren drivers.

According to sources Ecclestone is preparing to promote the event, which would cost £35million to stage and a predicted £100million boost would be brought into the UK's economy.

Santander, the title sponsor of the British Grand Prix, have been ramping up interest by hosting an event to see what the track would looking like and a CGI film to show how F1 would look racing around the streets of London. Ecclestone will attend the event that is being held at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, with current F1 drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton also attending.

(c) Santander

It has also been reported or rumoured that Button and Hamilton had some input into the design of the track, a circuit where cars will be using full throttle for a large amount of the time. This could hint at few overtaking opportunities. The plan shows 2 straights where cars would top 180MPH and a lap time of 1m34, with the racing lasting 59 laps.

(c) Santander

Reports emerged in mid-June suggesting the possibility of the event taking place. These reports suggested a race around the Olympic park site in Stratford but a track with the backdrop of some of London's most famous sights would be more suitable.

Ecclestone told The Times "With the way things are, maybe we would front it and put the money up for it, if we got the okay and everything was fine, I think we could do that.

"Think what it would do for tourism. It would be fantastic, good for London, good for England – a lot better than the Olympics."

(c) Santander

There is no doubt it would be a huge tourism boost for the UK and but it is by all means not planned as a one off event, Ecclestone and the FIA would want longevity for the race. The circuit plan suggests up to 120,000 seating areas for spectators would be created.

London mayor Boris Johnston also commented, saying it would be "a really good economic case" for the UK, also saying "I am always interested in projects that attract jobs and bring growth."

London has heard the sounds of F1 cars before, with a demonstration held in 2004. Jenson Button and Nigel Mansell took to the streets to entertain the crowds.