Silverstone has issued a shock offer to replace one of the cancelled Formula 1 Middle Eastern races, to plug the gap of two missing rounds of the 2026 calendar.
F1 returns from its enforced break in April this weekend, with action getting underway in Miami on Friday for what promises to be an exciting weekend.
But the missing races have shortened the calendar from 24 races down to 22, with no current plans to replace them.
However, Silvestone has now revealed it has offered to stage a second race at the home of British Motorsport later in the year to aid in plugging the gap.
Silverstone Managing Director Stuart Pringle confirmed the offer, explaining his rationale, and revealed the circuit can act quickly.
“I have offered,” Pringle told Sky News. “We stepped in during COVID, and we were able to help F1. If that would help, of course we will.
“There are numerous practicalities that need to be considered.
“The offer is in, they know we are here and we can move quickly if asked.
“I pride myself on not having spare windows, but everything is movable in a crisis.”
Silverstone to repeat 2020 feat?
The British track has hosted two races in a season before, during the heavily COVID 19 impacted campaign – The British Grand Prix and the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, both run on the International circuit layout.
F1 has confirmed it has not yet decided on the future of the two cancelled races.
“Everyone can look at the TV, see the news every day that the situation is so fluid and so dynamic,” said Liam Parker, F1’s chief corporate relations officer.
“Nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone in September and October.”
Two races at Silverstone has the potential to please many fans, but organisationally, this will be highly challenging to pull off.