POLE POSITION: Brexit will NOT damage F1 says racing chief - ‘We are preparing’
FORMULA One won’t be affected by Brexit, F1 chief executive Chase Carey insists.
There are fears British teams could be hit when Britain leaves the EU, with six of the 10 teams in the 2019 F1 based in the UK. However, Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes a no-deal Brexit would be the “mother of all messes” for the sport. But Mr Carey insists Formula 1 has contingency plans in place to protect the sport from Britain’s EU exit.
Mr Carey said: “It would be a matter of logistical problems: with a 'no deal' how would you get the equipment in and out of Europe?
“But again, it's a logistics issue for which we are preparing an emergency plan.
“We are making contingency plans for trying to make sure we are prepared to deal with the issues that possibly arise that would make getting people and things in and out of the UK more difficult.”
Movement of goods could be more difficult than any possible visa issues for team staff working with British-based teams, Mr Carey claimed.
It would be a matter of logistical problems: with a 'no deal' how would you get the equipment in and out of Europe
F1 helps teams transport equipment from Britain to European sites.
Mr Carey said: “We bring them in and out of the UK now. We obviously can bring them in and out of somewhere else.”
Red Bull Racing's sponsor Aston Martin is stocking components to fly in if ports are clogged up post-Brexit.
Some F1 teams insist teams based on the continent would have an advantage if there were hold ups moving equipment from Britain.
“We don’t know what is going to happen anymore than anyone else,” he added.
Last month, Mercedes boss Mr Wolff warned Brexit could harm F1 motor racing.
There are nine European races this year, with teams relying on parts moving in and out of the EU freely.
He said: “Any major disruption with borders or taxes would damage the F1 industry in the UK.
“Our team is an international team, including many EU citizens, and there is uncertainty at whether the industry will be impacted by a no-deal Brexit or a Brexit.
“That is damaging to what is to me one of the outstanding industries in the UK.
“It is the mother of all messes.”
The House of Commons will vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal for a second time on March 12.