Weather risks put Silverstone out of the running for 1000th GP

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Next year's 1,000th Formula 1 Grand Prix won't take place at the holy site of Silverstone where it all started 68 years ago, F1's executives awarding the honor to Shanghai.

Silverstone was the preferred venue for F1 for the milestone event and celebrations, but timing meant rescheduling the British Grand Prix in April, a very risky proposition due to the strong chances of adverse weather in the UK at that period of the year.

"Silverstone was the first Grand Prix and we would have liked to see the 1,000th go back to the first," Bratches told Reuters in Barcelona last weekend.

"I think there’s a nice story and a nice harmony there. But when I was told, being a relatively new Brit, that the weather is sub-optimal in April, they warded me off that quickly."

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The only edition of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone that ever took place in April was back in 2000, and indeed the event was a wash-out, with organisers forced to close the mud-filled car parks, much to the spectators furor.

Bratches said the historic 1,000th F1 Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in China, will be a prominent theme during the 2019 season.

"We’ve spent a lot of time on this topic and looking at different circumstances, weather patterns," he said.

"China is a great place to race. It’s part of our future and we’re excited about going there for that particular race.

"That said, next year we’re going to celebrate it as the year of the 1,000th Grand Prix so you’re going to see integrations across the year celebrating this incredible milestone," he added.

Bratches said the Chinese Grand Prix organisers were more than happy with the opportunity to see their event headline the historic happening.

"They’re embracing it and we’re starting to have discussions in terms of how we can amplify it and make sure that it’s celebrated in an appropriate way," he said.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.