Formula One bosses are exploring the possibility of staging a grand prix in Greater London.

Ross Brawn, F1’s head of motorsport, has ruled out a city-centre race, but believes there is scope for an event on the outskirts of the capital.

Brawn told the Evening Standard: “I think because F1 is a week-long activity minimum, the disruption it would cause in the centre of London would be unacceptable. I don’t think Londoners really need to worry about us taking over the centre of London for a week.

“But there are things on the periphery that are being explored – not slap-bang in the centre of London but Greater London.

“London is an iconic city with a massive history in the sport and there’s huge enthusiasm here.”

Any new race would not necessarily affect the future of a grand prix at Silverstone, though.

Next year’s round at the Northamptonshire circuit is due to be the last unless a new agreement is reached.

But Brawn added: “We’d like to see London complement Silverstone, not replace it. We could see ways we could make it work both sides.”

Liberty Media, F1’s American owners, is keen to add city races to the F1 calendar, with a round on the streets of Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, penned in for 2020.

London has long been talked about as the venue for an F1 race, but a number of obstacles have prevented it from becoming a reality.

Last November five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton stated his desire to see a GP hosted in London but actually alongside Silverstone over the course of the same season.

"On the racing side, I don't know how important it is to go to new countries as such," Hamilton said.

"If you had the Silverstone Grand Prix and a London Grand Prix, it would be pretty cool.

"We've got a lot of real racing history in England, Germany, Italy and now in the States it is starting to grow. But you only have one event per year in those places.

"If it was my business, I would be trying to do more events in those countries.