Formula 1 has warned that the UK government risks jeopardising the British Grand Prix and damaging the country’s soft power by failing to resolve visa issues for hundreds of workers.
Visa Delays Threaten Grand Prix
In written evidence to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Formula 1 stated that strict post-Brexit rules cause significant delays in getting personnel into the country, increasing costs and putting the successful delivery of the Grand Prix in jeopardy each year. The organisation added that these issues risk undermining the soft power impact of the UK’s status as a host for major sporting and cultural events.
Home Office Accused of Slow Adaptation
The Home Office has been criticised for being slow to adapt visa requirements for Formula 1 workers, many of whom travel across the entire calendar and face special entry requirements for the UK. While similar issues were resolved quickly in the United States, the UK’s slow responsiveness threatens its reputation as a stellar host of major events.
Committee Hearing Highlights Concerns
At a committee hearing on Tuesday, chair Caroline Dinenage MP raised the issue with Michael Livingston, DCMS’s director for major sporting projects delivery. Dinenage noted that the Home Office may regard certain F1 workers as having lower-end skills, but in sectors like F1, those skills are niche and essential. Livingston acknowledged awareness of the cases, relating to hospitality support, and said the department would work with F1 to address the issues within the existing visa regime.
British Grand Prix: A Crown Jewel
The British Grand Prix is one of the crown jewels of the Formula 1 calendar, attracting 500,000 people over the July weekend. Key to its success is paddock security and hospitality contracting from European companies whose employees struggle to obtain short-term visas due to their unique but low-skilled work. Formula 1’s submission emphasised that the UK is unique in its slow pace of responsiveness compared to other countries, including the United States, where procedural issues have been resolved quickly once flagged.
