Ricciardo: If Silverstone had to be replaced I’d pick Brands Hatch

Daniel Ricciardo has backed Formula 1 retaining Silverstone as the home of the British Grand Prix but revealed he’d relish racing at Brands Hatch if a deal fails to materialise.

Last year the owners of Silverstone triggered a release clause in its British Grand Prix contract which could see 2019 as the last F1 race at the Northamptonshire circuit, with the BRDC explaining the event was no longer financially viable to run.

While a new deal is thought to be a priority for both the BRDC and F1 owners Liberty Media, talk has also resurfaced of a race held on London’s city streets following a change in the law permitting motor sport events.

The British Grand Prix has been held at four official venues in its history, including Brooklands in 1926 and 1927, and while Ricciardo supports Silverstone to retain the race he also fancies a former home of the iconic event.

“I definitely want the track [Silverstone] to stay on the calendar and I really hope that’s the case,” Ricciardo said. “But if for some reason it had to be replaced with another English circuit I would say Brands Hatch GP Circuit, that would also be sick in an F1 car.

“Whatever happens, we have to have at least one English race on the calendar.

“My first ever F1 race was at Silverstone [in 2011 for HRT] so it’s always a special one for me. I’ve always loved the circuit, it’s high speed, flowing and beautiful. Copse is flat and then into Maggots and Becketts is just epic, I’m genuinely so excited about this race.”

Brands Hatch currently holds an FIA Grade 2 Licence and would required a number of upgrades if it was to seek a Grade 1 Licence which is required for all F1 circuits. Silverstone is the only circuit in the United Kingdom which currently holds a Grade 1 Licence from the FIA and therefore remains the only viable circuit for the British Grand Prix.

Ricciardo has reached the British Grand Prix podium just once in his F1 career, back in 2014, while a series of engine issues and reliability problems have plagued his recent outings at Silverstone. However, a 15-place grid penalty saw Ricciardo produce a charge from the back of the grid to fifth 12 months ago.

“I had a fun race there last year coming from the back and through the field to fifth, it’s always been a pretty happy hunting ground for me,” he said. “I’ve had a podium there but never a win, I might steal it from Lewis.

“He has a pretty good home record but I’ll try and get one back on the English, they are doing a bit too well in sport at the moment!”