UK Parliament, F1 Reinforce Commitment to Motorsport

In a significant move for the motorsport industry, Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, engaged in key discussions with parliamentary representatives as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Motorsport, a which meeting underscored the UK’s determination to uphold its stature as a global leader in the motorsport arena.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Formula 1 Championship, the meeting served as an occasion to emphasise the crucial role the UK plays within the international motorsport landscape.

The UK remains central to the Formula 1 ecosystem, housing seven of the ten teams in the championship and boasts outstanding British talent as well.

Commenting on the discussions, Member of Parliament for Mid Buckinghamshire and Chair of the APPG for Formula One and Motorsport, Greg Smith, said: “The UK has a rich and proud heritage in motorsport, with the Formula 1 championship having started at Silverstone.”

“Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we celebrate, support, and continue to nurture every aspect of the motorsport industry – from innovators and manufacturers to individual human talent – right here in the UK.

“It was a pleasure to continue strengthening our collaboration with Stefano Domenicali and parliamentary representatives through the All-Party Parliamentary Group,” he said.

The impact of Formula 1 on the UK economy is significant, generating over £12 billion (AUD$24.56 billion) annually and employing more than 6,000 individuals.

The sport collaborates with around 3,500 British-based companies, collectively supporting approximately 41,000 jobs, including 25,000 highly skilled engineering positions.

Moreover, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone is confirmed to remain a staple of the national sporting calendar until at least 2034.

The influence of Formula 1 reaches a worldwide audience, with races broadcast from the state-of-the-art Media and Technology Centre in Kent.

This operation services over 700 million fans across 200 territories through 60 broadcast partners, showcasing the UK’s capabilities in global sports media.

A focal point of today’s discussions was the ongoing investment in the UK’s motorsport sector, with Sauber, soon to transition to Audi F1, and Honda, which supplies engines for Aston Martin F1, have announced plans to establish new facilities in the UK.

Furthermore, Cadillac F1 is set to join the series in 2026, establishing its base in Silverstone, thus reinforcing that nine of the eleven Formula 1 teams will maintain a significant presence within the UK.

Key topics addressed during today’s meeting included the promotion of sustainable technologies within racing, the contribution of motorsport towards the UK’s broader green agenda, and the continual investment in engineering and technical talent to secure the sport’s future in the nation.

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