While seeking to secure a deal with Silverstone, which is currently set to drop from the schedule after this year's race after its owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, exercised a clause in their contract which allowed them to break it early, F1's owners, Liberty Media, have made no secret of their desire to take the sport away from conventional race tracks and into the heart of what they term, destination cities.

According to the Financial Times, though discussions with the BRDC continue, Liberty had looked at a number of alternatives including races on the streets of London or Cardiff.

While London is widely recognised - rightly or wrongly - as one of the world's leading cities, it will surely come as surprise - even to locals - to hear that Cardiff, the capital of Wales, and its largest city, was being seriously considered.

The FT claims, that, according to "several people familiar with the discussions", though London and Cardiff were being seriously considered, the move could not have been made in time for the running of the 2020 British Grand Prix, and as a result Silverstone is back in the spotlight.

"Silverstone has a value," a "person close to the talks", tells the FT, adding that "Chase (Carey) wants to maintain the historic core of F1."

With this in mind it is understood that F1 is seeking £18m a year while the BRDC is only willing to go as high as £15m.

Aware that other circuits will be watching the negotiations, Liberty has a tough task on its hands, and according to the FT, as a sweetener, is offering the BRDC "more rights over hospitality packages". It is not clear however, if the new deal, if agreed, would include an annual increment as is currently the case.

With central London out of the question, F1 has been looking east to Stratford, home of the 2012 Olympics, and while this remains an option for the future, it is the fact that the event could not be scheduled in time for 2020 that Liberty has been looking elsewhere, the Cardiff event "only abandoned in recent weeks", according to the FT.

As the sport prepares to celebrate its 1,000th round, it would not fit the narrative to see Silverstone - which hosted the very first race, back in 1950 - slip from the calendar.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Paul C, 18/04/2019 17:26

"Formula E or Formula 3. Consider street courses for lesser formulas to popularize auto racing."

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2. Posted by Uffen, 08/04/2019 20:32

"Stop with the street circuits!"

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3. Posted by Anthony, 08/04/2019 15:03

"The last thing that F1 needs is more street circuits."

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4. Posted by Ro, 08/04/2019 13:24

"Oh! Give over! What next, a race in Oldham ? There are RACE CIRCUITS IN THE UK that are better. why do you want to stage an event in a mickey-mouse track? Thats what E series is doing, and to be honest its more entertaining to watch butterflies copulate...."

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5. Posted by imejl99, 08/04/2019 13:20

"@editor

I was judging by the picture, ;)

"

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6. Posted by Editor, 08/04/2019 13:17

"@ imejl99

Landmarks?

Have you been to Stratford recently?

I went through it on Saturday - and that's the best way to see it, passing through without stopping."

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7. Posted by imejl99, 08/04/2019 13:12

"I had an epiphany looking at that article picture - Liberty racing venue criteria is landmarks!

I strongly suggest BRDC resurrect WW2 barracks and position some Spifires, Lancasters and Hawkers.
It would be of the great value for Liberty F1 Social media, BRDC should insist on contract appendix reducing hosting fee based on likes and shares. "

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F1 sought race on streets of Cardiff

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