Lewis Hamilton gets British Grand Prix boost as chief uncovers Silverstone's F1 advantage

Lewis Hamilton might be handed the perfect opportunity to start his F1 title defence with British Grand Prix chiefs in talks over starting the 2020 season at Silverstone. Hamilton has won at the Northamptonshire circuit on six occasions over his career and is the most successful driver in British Grand Prix history. Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle has revealed his venue might just leapfrog Austria's Red Bull Ring to host the first Grand Prix of the year. "I know Austria are keen to run a race," Pringle told the London Evening Standard. "They’re very competent and efficient. If they can do that, I’m sure they will but I expect the challenge might be the transit of the freight rather than the organisers. Austria would like to go first but there’s any number of reasons why that’s difficult. "Mercedes are just five miles away [from Silverstone] and Racing Point just 400 yards so that’s convenient to get to the race here. We understand that with seven of the 10 teams being based within a relative stone’s throw of Silverstone that produces options that aren’t so readily available with further extremes of the championship calendar. "Formula 1 can’t be accused of not having brainstormed every possibility. But I’m very conscious that this does not in any way cause a distraction to the main government message of staying at home. At the right time, sport can play a huge part in the next stage. Seeing how many people watched the Virtual Grand National, it reminds me that we’re a nation of sports lovers. Morale in the country could rise from this and, if the part that we can play is good for fans and help the business, that’s positive." Source: Express

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