When Chase Carey and Sean Bratches insist that they see the future of Formula One comprising races in the world's "destination cities", the word "outskirts" is never included.

However, as they realise that a Grand Prix on the streets on central London is nigh impossible, F1 technical boss Ross Brawn reveals that a race on the outskirts of the city is being considered.

"I think because F1 is a week-long activity minimum, the disruption it would cause in the centre of London would be unacceptable," he tells the Evening Standard.

"I don't think Londoners really need to worry about us taking over the centre of London for a week," he adds. "But there are things on the periphery that are being explored - not slap-bang in the centre of London but Greater London.

"London is an iconic city with a massive history in the sport and there's huge enthusiasm here," he continued, adding: We'd like to see London complement Silverstone, not replace it. We could see ways we could make it work both sides."

A spokesman for Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, subsequently confirmed that talks were ongoing.

"The Mayor believes that it should be possible to organise a race in London in the future and has asked his team to explore options with F1," they said.

As it stands, next year's race at Silverstone is the last, with circuit owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, having exercised a clause which brought its 17-year contract to an early end having finally realised that it simply couldn't afford the ever-increasing hosting fee.

Though F1's powers-that-be insist that they want to see Silverstone remain on the calendar, in addition to being unwilling to reduce the fees - a move that other race promoters would seize on - they have made no secret of their desire to take the sport on to the streets of the capital.

Earlier this week we revealed that a high level source, significantly active in the highest echelons of British motorsport, and certainly not someone given to spurious or fictitious claims, has admitted that the BRDC is considering a deal whereby the money from ticket sales is handed direct to Formula One Management, which in turn hands the club a fee for running the event.

Meanwhile, if an event on the outskirts of London is truly being considered, might one suggest... Stevenage.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by mickl, 24/12/2018 14:51

"Imagine the protests for the disruption. Imagine a couple of rogue drones being flown in to disrupt it."

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2. Posted by Uffen, 21/12/2018 17:00

""Massive history of the sport..."? What?"

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3. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 20/12/2018 17:42

"@F1Nerd - and they used to have speed trials there (Madeira Drive)"

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4. Posted by ScottC, 20/12/2018 14:01

"2 laps of the M25, job done eh!

Honestly though, the crap these dudes keep coming out with is unbelievable. Whatever you thought about Bernie I didn't hear a huge amount of horses**t from him, apart from when he was responding to some stupid question or deliberately stirring things up for fun.
"

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5. Posted by F1nerd, 20/12/2018 7:41

"Why not have the race in Brighton, there is a nice road running along the seafront with plenty of room for grandstands."

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6. Posted by TokyoAussie, 20/12/2018 3:38

"Who would pay for it? Not just the race fee, but all the infrastructure.
The UK government doesn't pay now, why in the midst of all this Brexit ongoings would they suddenly waste so much on a car race? Doesn't make sense, so now doubt F1 is considering it."

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7. Posted by stackvideo, 19/12/2018 22:17

"Welcome to indycar"

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8. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 19/12/2018 20:31

"Please not Brands!!! The circuit would be totally destroyed by the required changes - thank goodness, until now, Palmer has confirmed no interest."

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9. Posted by Burton, 19/12/2018 18:40

"The disruption is unacceptable anywhere, to hell with any city circuit."

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10. Posted by Paul C, 19/12/2018 18:02

"Who came up with this idea? Liberty's other ex-Fox employees Homer Simpson and The Family Guy?"

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11. Posted by imejl99, 19/12/2018 14:44

"And yet, no mention of who will cover eventual London race hosting fee.
Or Liberty`s London desire is so great that there won`t be fee but free? In that case, why not Silverstone for free (we will crowdfund 1:1 Big Ben mock-up behind Hangar Straight... )

With the best effort it is hard to find an angle from where this is not stupid, comic, irrational and annoying.
Maybe Amazon SageMaker has an angle and dynamic graphics to cover this pile of manure."

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12. Posted by JMcL, 19/12/2018 14:09

"Brands Hatch?"

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13. Posted by Spindoctor, 19/12/2018 14:07

"They've clearly never been anywhere near London- a city whose arterial routes are gridlocked out as far as Essex in the East and Hounslow, Twickenham & Richmond in the West. The M25 is a car park.

Instead of searching for "destination Cities", why not just put on good, affordable races at circuits with character and actual racing?"

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14. Posted by oldestmike, 19/12/2018 13:46

"These guys are DUMB!!!! SILVERSTONE! End of discussion.
"

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F1 bosses eyeing Greater London event?

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