Words: Charlie Gardiner-Hill
In Boris Johnson’s London, anything is possible. By the end of his tutelage, Britain’s capital will have played host to both the Olympics and the Rugby World Cup (arriving next year), and be the home of the world’s largest annual fundraising event, Virgin’s London Marathon. On Saturday, Lotus’s Formula 1 car raced through the streets of Canary Wharf at 158mph, cheered on by campaigners who, after 10 years of trying, can finally see light at the end of the tunnel – here’s why.
Fate
It’s almost as if London was built with Formula 1 racing in mind. In the words of British racing icon Jenson Button, “[London’s] roads are naturally very wide and long, so straight-line speeds would be high, and you could create a real blend of corners.” Bernie Ecclestone’s proposed route, weaving down the Mall and skirting Green Park down Piccadilly, isn’t just a pipe dream – it’s meant to be.
Safety first
F1’s iconic city circuit in Monaco, which carves through the glamorous Monte Carlo district, is notorious for it’s wheel-to-wall racing, dangerous corners and haunting crashes – 4 drivers have died on the track. London, by comparison, with its world-class emergency services, highly accessible track and far wider roads, would be a model modern day track.
Air problem, what problem?
Environmental campaigners have long opposed using London’s streets as a high stakes racetrack, fired by the pollution and noise pumped out by Formula 1’s screaming engines. But by the time Formula 1 landed in London, the sport will almost certainly have introduced electric engines both quieter and friendlier to the planet.
This one’s on Bernie
The Motorsport Association has previously moaned about “the logistical challenges of hosting Formula One on the streets of London”. Despite their mumblings, given that London’s city streets are annually closed for the London Marathon, the race would generate an estimated £100 million for the city and F1 overlord Bernie has offered to front the £40 million cost, it is clear that the challenges are far from insurmountable.
London is the new Monaco
Picture the scene; super yachts flooding the Thames, Piccadilly balconies overflowing with champagne, after parties at the top of the shard and crowds lining the Mall to rival even the Queen. London has come a long way up the global glamour rankings with more Michelin stars than Paris, more banks than Switzerland better abound and a new luxury hotel at every turn. Monaco might have the history, but London has the future.
Bernie Ecclestone won’t take no for an answer
Bernie Ecclestone is a man who gets what he wants and after 83 years of belligerence, any hopes of the billionaire mellowing with old age will have been crushed by today’s news that he would be ‘happy’ to see teams drop out of F1. Given his tendency to play hardball (think of the Ferrari fiasco in 2010) and his enthusiasm for a London event, the smart money is on his unnerving ability to persuade cities and countries to open their roads to his brainchild – especially if it’s for free.
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