How Labour’s UK election win led to a last-minute Silverstone F1 podium change

The change of government in the UK three days before Formula 1’s 2024 British Grand Prix meant a hasty plan had to be put into action regarding the Silverstone podium.

As is protocol for the British GP, a representative from the UK government – usually a secretary of state – is invited to present the winners’ trophy.

In the previous three years since the COVID-19 pandemic so disrupted the traditional celebrations at the end of F1 races, Nigel Huddleston MP (then the Minister for Sport), Nadine Dorries and Lucy Frazer, the two previous holders of the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport role who are no longer MPs, all appeared on the Silverstone podium to present the winning prizes.

This trio represented the Conservative Party that had been running the UK since 2010, but as that government’s grip on power began to slip approaching the end of the previous parliamentary term and it was clear a change in governing party was highly likely given a huge opinion poll difference between the incumbents and the Labour opposition, Autosport understands that figures in F1 realised invitations for this year’s British race might need to go to both parties.

When last week’s general election was called on 22 May and polling day was set for Thursday 4 July – the Silverstone media day – it was clear that a new government minister was highly likely to be attending the race, even though they would only have been appointed days earlier.

Kyle was joined in presenting the podium prizes by Lord Hayne, the Labour Life Peer co-chair of APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Groups) Motorsport group and David Richards, Motorsport UK chair.

There was also a representative of race sponsor Qatar Airways, while Hamilton received his first FIA president medal from Mohammed Ben Sulayem – his previous most recent win coming back before that accolade was adopted in late 2022.

“A total privilege to present Lewis Hamilton with the winner’s trophy today,” Kyle wrote afterwards on X.

“A true champion who’s a credit to his sport and country. F1 drives innovation, creates incredible highly skilled jobs and boosts our reputation…