75th Anniversary of Formula 1
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to help mark the 75th anniversary of Formula 1 in 2025.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
Formula 1’s 75th birthday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the sport’s long history in the UK. Formula 1 is a British success story, with seven out of 10 teams based here, and we look forward to continuing our long and prosperous relationship with them. While I am here, I would like to congratulate Max Verstappen on his fourth consecutive world championship and McLaren on its first constructors’ championship since 1998.
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)
My Lords, Formula 1 is indeed a great British success story. British drivers have won the world championship more than drivers from any other nation. As the Minister says, we are home to seven of the 10 Formula 1 teams. It is not just homegrown talent such as McLaren, which I too congratulate on its title; we also attract teams from around the world such as Mercedes, Alpine and, soon, Cadillac. Silverstone hosted the very first round of the drivers’ world championship in May 1950 and will remain home to the British Grand Prix for at least the next decade. As the number of people from all backgrounds enjoying the sport continues to grow, will the Government work with that famous circuit to make sure that it is more accessible by public transport, so that the UK’s largest sporting event can be reached by people, hopefully to entertain them but also inspire them into careers on and off the track?