Formula 1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali met with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for a celebration of the sport’s 75th anniversary year – and a discussion about F1’s role in the United Kingdom’s economy – ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Starmer welcomed Domenicali, along with Derek Chang, President and CEO of Liberty Media, and a host of F1 personalities to Downing Street on Wednesday, where they met with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, and MPs.
Also present were current drivers including Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon, as well as team bosses James Vowles, Flavio Briatore, Andy Cowell, Jonathan Wheatley and Ayao Komatsu.
Other attendees included leaders of the incoming Cadillac F1 operation Graeme Lowdon and Daniel Towriss, F1 ACADEMY Managing Director Susie Wolff and several F1 ACADEMY drivers, and F1 legends Sir Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and Jenson Button.
Domenicali and Starmer both made speeches at the event, which was also attended by young engineers, interns, scholars, apprentices and graduates from F1’s 10 teams – F1 itself currently funding 50 mechanical engineering students with full scholarships at several UK universities.
“A special thank you to The Prime Minster for inviting us here today to this famous and historic setting,” said Domenicali. “We have an incredible week ahead at the British Grand Prix with nearly half a million fans coming to cheer on their heroes. This country is passionate about Formula 1 and motorsport, and we are very proud of this.
“75 years ago, Formula 1 started here in the UK at Silverstone in 1950. Since then, is has become a British institution with deep roots and a huge contribution to the country.
“This is the home of our sport, and we want that to continue, as I know you and your government are committed to.
“At the heart of all of this is an incredible sport with passionate fans in the UK, all over the world, and the best drivers in the world fighting for the ultimate prize in motorsport.
“It is an incredible time to be part of this sport, something that has been part of my life for so long, and the support of all of you here and The Prime Minister is so important.
“I believe we are a fantastic business card for this country around the world, and I look forward to our future together.”
Starmer added: “As Prime Minister, I’m really proud of what Formula 1 does for our country – not just that technology, not just that innovation, not just the money into our economy and the sheer joy it gives to so many people, but the soft power and global reputation that it gives the United Kingdom. And this is really important.
“It’s part of Brand Britain. And that’s why I think today is about coming in to celebrate the last 75 years, which I’m really proud of, but also to talk about the future and to invite you to work with us and tell us what more we as a government can do to support what you’re doing, so that we can celebrate not just looking back 75 years, but for many, many years to come.”
F1 plays a huge role in the UK’s economy, contributing £12 billion in value annually, with more than 6,000 people being directly employed, and a supply chain of 4,500 companies employing around 41,000 people.
From next year, a full 10 of F1’s 11 teams will have major bases and operations in the UK, with Kick Sauber having yesterday announced a new UK Technology Centre in Bicester.
Meanwhile, F1’s world-leading Media and Technical Centre – which produces International Feed coverage and F1 TV shows at every Grand Prix – is located in Biggin Hill, Kent.
Overall, the UK boasts 16.7 million fans, with around half a million spectators expected at this weekend’s British Grand Prix weekend.
