Formula 1 has agreed a 15-year strategic partnership with Tottenham Hotspur that will see the delivery of the world’s first-in stadium electric karting facility.
London’s longest indoor track will be a high-tech, in-stadium facility at Spurs’ 62,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Opening later this year, it will include separate tracks for adults and juniors. Both tracks have been accredited by the National Karting Association, making it a potential future venue for national karting championship races.
Based below the stadium’s South Stand, the facility will also include interactive motorsport activities and food and beverage outlets.
Formula 1 and Spurs have also revealed the launch of a new driver academy programme which will aim to widen the motorsport talent pool and help ‘identify the next generation of F1 drivers.’
Initiatives will also focus on other roles within motorsport. The two organisations will provide educational activities for schools showcasing career opportunities and pathways in areas such as engineering and software development.
The partnership will also hope to create ‘apprenticeship and career opportunities for local young people and bring greater diversity to the motorsport industry, particularly for women and underrepresented groups.’
As part of Formula 1’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030, and Spurs’ target to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and become net zero by 2040, sustainability is also set to be central to the project.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1, said,”As we continue to grow our sport, partnering with world renowned brands like Tottenham Hotspur allows us to take Formula 1 and motorsport to new and more diverse audiences. The karting experience will be a destination and place that families, friends, and aspiring drivers from all over the world will want to visit and enjoy, engaging new audiences and offering an accessible entry point to the world of motorsport.
“Our two brands have a shared vision to create life-changing career opportunities, promote diversity and inclusion, such as through the recently announced F1 Academy, and driving environmental sustainability – our innovative partnership will bring all of this to life.”
Daniel Levy, Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur, said,”Since building this stadium our ambition has always been to see how far we can push the boundaries in delivering world-class experiences that will attract people from around the world all year round. We have been able to bring the biggest names in sport and entertainment to London N17. We are extremely excited about what this long-term partnership with F1 will bring for our global, national, and local communities.”
David Richards CBE, Chairman of Motorsport UK, the governing body for four-wheel motorsport in the UK, commented, “I congratulate Tottenham Hotspur and Formula 1 on this innovative partnership. This new karting facility aligns perfectly with Motorsport UK’s mission to inspire and enable more people to participate in our sport in a safe, fair, fun, inclusive and progressive environment. I look forward to seeing even more people enjoy karting but particularly to see a greater level of diversity amongst the visitors.”
