Hamilton says F1 can’t ‘turn its back’ on Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1 cannot afford to turn its back on Silverstone and potentially lose the British Grand Prix altogether from the calendar.

This year’s British Grand Prix is the last one to be hosted at Silverstone under its current deal, after the circuit’s owners triggered a break clause in their contract in 2017.

F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn insisted earlier this year that the championship is determined to keep the race on the calendar beyond this season, though Britain’s event remains one of five races - along with Spain, Germany, Italy and Mexico - with an uncertain future.

“There are some really awesome circuits and Silverstone is one of those,” Hamilton said.

“The UK is really amongst the foundation of what this sport is and if you start taking away the legendary races and it’s all just new ones, you lose all the history and all the culture which is what Formula 1 is.

“So I truly believe they have to keep Formula 1 in the UK and particularly Silverstone, it’s such an awesome track, such an awesome place. One of biggest turnouts of all season. You can’t turn your back on that.

“Wouldn't be bad to have two races in UK,” he added. “Because I think London would be awesome for the country and tourism and all that kind of stuff, such a big noise and event in the world but I don’t know if it will happen.

“As long as we have one of them. We have all these great tracks in the UK. Don’t know who designed them all but did a really good job.”

And while Hamilton feels F1 owner Liberty Media is doing well in terms of taking the sport to new locations, he is wary about balancing that with ensuring that circuits deliver good racing.

“Liberty are doing a good job in terms of bringing other places into the sport,” he said.

“You’ve just got to be careful though that when choose tracks you choose places with a great fan base and yes we’ve got to create new fan bases in places, but also got to find a track that’s going to deliver exciting races.

“Sometimes I can already tell you how bad the race is going to be, in some of the places they have decided to bring on.

“Great places and a big fan base there but the race isn’t going to be great - not going to say where that is but you will see next year.”