London GP 'is possible'

Impresario Harvey Goldsmith, who has arranged the eight F1 teams that will demonstrate their cars along Regent Street tomorrow (Tuesday), says a full-blown grand prix in London is feasible, despite many obstacles being in the way. Goldsmith was a prime mover behind the Live Aid Concert at Wembley in 1985, but has warned of "the grey people" who dissent against such ideas.

"There is a layer of bureaucracy in London which basically doesn't want anything to happen - ever," Goldsmith told the Evening Standard. "These people spend their whole lives finding thousands of reasons why a concert in Hyde Park, or an Olympic torch ceremony, or a concert in Trafalgar Square, can't happen.

"Nobody wants to accept liability or take responsibility. But subject to these people being dealt with, anything is possible, including an Olympics or a London Grand Prix. There would be problems. You've got to find a circuit that's safe, interesting and offers good viewing. And this is a very busy, overloaded city. So to deal with the disruption wouldn't be easy."

London's mayor, Ken Livingstone, is also positive over plans for the city to host a grand prix.

"We would need to negotiate about routes and costs, but I'm definitely backing a grand prix for London," he said. "The grand prix is already a phenomenal global spectacle. This is truly big business, and London's economy and tourist industry would benefit significantly."