Could door be opening on an F1 race in London?

The dream of a Formula One race on the streets of London may be in line for a boost.

Daniel Johnson of the UK’s Telegraph newspaper reports that the British government has announced a consultation that proposes a relaxation of certain rules which have an Act of Parliament as the necessary requirement to suspend national speed limits on closed roads for races.

Johnson reports that under the new plans, local authorities would have the ability to temporarily suspend dangerous driving laws in order to allow races to take place.

London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, has said that he’s open to the idea of a “London Grand Prix,” and other figures such as three-time World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart have endorsed the proposal.

Ditto for former World Champion Jenson Button, who told British F1 broadcaster Sky Sports that London’s wide roads would lend itself nicely for a “unique grand prix.”

“When you combine all of that with the world-famous monuments that would feature in the backdrop, you can see why it would be an awesome addition to the calendar,” Button added to Sky.

“The dream has taken a step closer this week, and I’d love to see this amazing concept finally happen.”

Per Sky, the consultation on closed-road motorsport events in mainland Britain would run for six weeks to April 10.

As you’d figure, there is also opposition to the idea of a race in London’s center. Darren Johnson, a member of the London Assembly Green Party, has urged Boris Johnson to nix any proposal for such an event as he believes it would set a bad example.

“This is definitely a decision for local representatives, rather than Parliament, but I hope the mayor will recognize that racing cars around central London would send out the wrong message at a time when road casualties amongst pedestrians and cyclists are on the rise,” Johnson said.

“A Formula 1 race along local high streets and past people’s homes is going to give a green light to a load of silly boy racers and others that these roads are safe for them to speed along. We need less speeding, not more, and this is one event the Mayor should firmly reject.”