UK Prime Minister Starmer welcomes F1 group to Downing Avenue

The British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has welcomed 150 figures working inside F1 to an occasion at 10 Downing Avenue on Wednesday, in celebration of the championship's 75 yr anniversary.

The frequent period of Formulation 1 grand prix racing started at Silverstone in 1950, and this yr's championship has the Northamptonshire venue subsequent on the calendar.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali will ship a speech at Downing Avenue, to underline the burgeoning employment sector inside F1 – 9 of the ten present groups have bases within the UK, and the incoming Cadillac additionally has amenities within the nation – which is known to contribute round £12bn to the UK economic system annually.

Starmer met with Domenicali, Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang, a handful of previous and present drivers and workforce principals – plus F1 Academy CEO Susie Wolff.

Prime Minister Starmer stated: “It is incredible to welcome you right here on this backyard in Downing Avenue.

“We need to rejoice, however we need to additionally present you the way decided we're to assist you and every little thing that you simply do.

“Again in 1950, the British Grand Prix was the place all of it started, and in these days Silverstone was constructed out of an deserted airfield.

“As we speak, after all, that is among the most well-known circuits on the planet, recognized to sports activities followers in all international locations the world over.

“It's actually nice to have you ever and to rejoice that so many groups have chosen the UK as their base. That is fairly extraordinary – the sheer variety of groups which might be based mostly right here, identical to the headquarters of Formulation 1 itself. And subsequent season's new groups on the grid – Cadillac, which opened a brand new facility at Silverstone, and Audi's constructing its technical centre close to there as properly.

“So the continuation of the British stamp on the game is completely there. Actually, there is just one workforce with no presence right here, and I did ponder whether it could be an excessive amount of of a diplomatic incident if I attempted to lure Ferrari out of Italy, and whether or not it could improve our relationship or not!”

Starmer additionally praised F1's involvement in expertise and social change, with the way it applies to real-world developments outdoors of motorsport.

“It's, after all, a terrific engine for expertise and progress in expertise,” he added. “That Formulation 1 mentality and the relentless pursuit of innovation and all the time pondering what else could be accomplished – and take a look at what it means. The battery expertise in electrical automobiles got here from Formulation 1, and now after all commonplace may be very a lot the longer term as we go ahead. The braking expertise that improved patrol autos for our armed forces – additionally pioneered by Formulation 1. Vitality-saving expertise has been tailored to remodel grocery store refrigeration.

“It is also a terrific engine of social progress—from the F1 Academy, pioneering the following era of feminine drivers, to Mission 44, which after all is Lewis Hamilton's charity and basis, which is working to make training extra inclusive.

“In order Prime Minister, I am actually pleased with what Formulation 1 does for our nation – not simply that expertise, not simply that innovation, not simply the cash into our economic system and the sheer pleasure it provides to so many individuals, however the tender energy and world popularity that it provides the UK.”

Stefano Dominicali added: “We've got an unbelievable week forward of us on the British Grand Prix, with almost half 1,000,000 followers coming to cheer on their heroes.

“This nation is obsessed with Formulation 1 motorsport, and really pleased with it. Seventy-five years in the past, Formulation 1 began right here within the UK at Silverstone in 1950. Since then, it has turn out to be a British establishment with deep roots and an enormous contribution to the nation.

“Subsequent yr, 9 of the 11 Formulation 1 groups may have a base right here. We've got our workplace and technical centre right here within the UK. No different nation could make that declare, and we're very pleased with it.

“However this isn't simply concerning the presence right here, it's about what we carry with followers, staff at 4,500 firms working with the game, 41,000 jobs linked to the F1. And 25,000 extremely expert engineers. We generate over £12billion to the UK economic system and assist preserve the nation a frontrunner in world-class innovation, expertise and expertise.

“That is the house of our sport, and we need to proceed, as I do know you might be and your authorities are dedicated to. On the coronary heart of all of us is that this unbelievable sport, with passionate followers within the UK, everywhere in the world and the most effective drivers on the planet, preventing for the final word prize in motorsport.

“Formulation 1 can unite and encourage and discover options which have a real-world impression. That's what we need to proceed, we need to proceed to push for all of us because the leaders in Formulation 1.”