McLaren wakes up to F1 promise of hometown Woking

Woking in Surrey could join Monaco and Singapore as one of F1’s “most glamorous and iconic race locations”, McLaren has said.

An “absurdly ambitious plan” for a Grand Prix circuit on the streets of McLaren’s hometown has been unveiled by the Formula 1 team.

McLaren said it was a bit nervous about the local authority’s reaction to its plan, given there would need to be extensive and costly re-profiling of many roads and local landmarks.

Jonathan Neale, McLaren’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Why not? Why not bring Formula 1 to the streets of Woking?

“Obviously, aside from the huge social and financial commitment needed to set up the infrastructure, re-profile roads, re-lay Tarmac, fit miles of Armco, build grandstands, pay for race-hosting fees and gain approval and sign-off from the FIA, we don’t see any barriers to our vision.”

The circuit would take “full advantage of the market town’s winding streets and fast multi-carriageways”, with the paddock on floatable pontoons anchored along the Woking-Basingstoke canal.

In 1998, F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen drove his McLaren car on a lap of honour around the town after winning the title in Japan.


READ ALSO

News

READ ALSO

News