You may have read already this morning that there is, once again, talk of a London Grand Prix. Well, we can tell you we’ve had a sneak peek at the simulation film that is due to be premiered tonight, and it’s very good. You’ll be able to see it too: at 7.30pm right here on TopGear.com.
This a serious project, make no mistake. Santander, who are backing the scheme, have hired architects Populous to plan the track. Populous are all over the event and stadium design from London 2012 to Sochi 2014 via the World Cup in South Africa and the renaissance of Silverstone.
A spokesperson for the London Grand Prix project says “we’ve looked at everything here. Everything. Every lamppost, every tree, every manhole cover…” You get the picture… Though funded by Santander, the project also has credibility with the people that matter: Bernie Ecclestone revealed he’s come close in the past to making an event like this happen and is, this time, prepared to put his money where his mouth is.
So will it happen? Well that’s a whole other question. But one you might like to put to the London Mayor Boris Johnson who, rather conveniently is hosting one of his live twitter “AskBoris” sessions today (#askboris @MayorofLondon, and include us in your question @BBC_TopGear in case he responds).
The track is fast. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have both driven it on a simulator and confirmed it’s a doozy. The two will race each other ‘live’ on the track at an event in London this evening. We won’t give away all the details, just confirm that every landmark in the West End gets a drive by: the Palace, Eros, Nelson’s Column and The Ritz. And you can see exactly how Populous have strung them all together here at 7.30pm. Make a note in your diary…
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What do you think?
StigsIrishCousin commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 12:42 pm
But will they have to pay congestion charge that is the real question…
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Anonymous commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Gd idea
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AlKim commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@StigsIrishCousin: Not if they’ve got KERS. Hybrids, you know.
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RFS 95 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 1:29 pm
That’s great! There’s a track in Gran Turismo 5 that’s in London, and it’s a great environment to race in, although the track itself is a bit too tight. Make this happen, F1 people!
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Anonymous commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Could be exciting. I’d definitely go to see it…
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Bongo commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Come on bernie, make it happen!!!!!
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cheesey commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 3:16 pm
It could replace the current European Grand Prix
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s.p.burge@live.co.uk commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Yes a very good idea to have all the F1 cars racing around Central London including Buckingham Palace.
Stuff the noise and inconvienince, Formula One is great.
I think this type of thing should be seriously promoted as it obviously brings in the old cash for the capital.
Also, when is Top Gear returning for a new series as it seems far too long since the last one.
Stephen Burge.
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A.C. commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 3:31 pm
DO IT!!
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steve12 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 3:59 pm
If you do not, push the boundaries
what the point.
Motor racing, is supposed to push
cars to the limit.
that why, we get new techonlogy
on our road cars.
so a race, in london i said yes
as long as Spa stay on the rota.
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Gavin kerley commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Bring it to Dublin we had a show case at the start of June and it was a big hit anyway the UK already has a GP at silverstone so bring it to Dublin
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RealMan commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 4:31 pm
They should not let it happen. I will fight for The Right of Pigeons at Trafalgar Square. The safety and peaceful enjoyment of their home will be breached. Disgusting humans. The cars will also polluted our already poor air quality standard and cause traffic congestion. London is a low emission city and every each of London is an air quality management zone. NO WAY WILL WE LET THIS! Having a 3rd Runway at Heathrow is better.
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Mercedes SLS AMG commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 5:33 pm
That sounds like a good idea. But will Silverstone still be on the calender?
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Anonymous commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 5:48 pm
i think could be great to see f1 cars racing under the london eye
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MisterBond1998 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 7:09 pm
I think it would be excellent to have F1 in London because its got loads of great landmarks and schtuff…
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MisterBond1998 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 7:11 pm
P.S When is TG series 19 coming out???????? Im going through severe withdrawal
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Hondansx commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 7:12 pm
As much as i’d love to see this, this would never work. London is waaaaay to busy to have an F1 race.
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sdstig commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 7:29 pm
I can’t imagine any overtaking in London, especially with that picture shown above. It’s WAY too tight. Maybe not as tight as the picture but still pretty tight. Therefore it would would depend on the start and pit strategies only, which is boring so I’m going to go with a no on this one unless they make it decently wide
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Dan commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Well, it’s 7:30…
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Rubes27 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Like Cars? German Ones?
Come visit my blog!: http://TheGermanGarage.bl ogspot.com/
All Cars. All Awesome. All of the Time.
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Brunskill777 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 9:09 pm
I like the track on Gran Turismo, this track they propose looks OK, BUT WHAT’S THE POINT. There are many good race circuits in England, like Oulton Park, but no, Bernie decides that flaming london should have a grand prix. London has the olympics (which I couldn’t give a monkeys about), why have a grand prix? I’m from Cumbria and all this ‘It’ll benefit England’ is absolute bull… It benefits london. Why won’t bernie just keel over and die, let someone who wants formula 1 to be exciting in, for someone who keeps crap races cos it gets him more money.
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Claudia101 commented on this article
Thursday June 28, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I think this would be a great idea. Bring it to London Bernie!
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SirWiggum commented on this article
Friday June 29, 2012 at 8:42 am
There are some driving games that let this happen – Project Gotham series / Metropolis Racer (Dreamcast).
The problems I can see are:
- Street camber. I went to see Coulthard drive an F5 car past Belfast city hall and he had to keep the speed down and 2nd gear max due to the camber of a regular street
- Narrowness – even 4 lane streets to a racing car are like driving through a supermarket.
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paddyzonda commented on this article
Saturday July 7, 2012 at 10:14 am
it’s a great idea
and in years to come.. “And here you can see Jenson Button’s rear wing lodged in the Queen Victoria Memorial” :^)
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