Formula 1 is coming to the heart of London in a big way on Wednesday (July 12) for the biggest ever live show in Trafalgar Square.

A spectacular moving display involving some of F1's top drivers will take pride of place between Whitehall and Trafalgar Square - the centrepiece of an all day celebration of the sport.

Organisers hope the show, which comes ahead of the British Grand Prix this weekend (July 14-16), will inspire more young people to take up STEM subjects.

There are 40,000 engineers in the UK working in Formula 1, with many complex and high tech engines and parts constructed in the Thames Valley region, in particular, while the legendary McLaren F1 team is still based in Woking.

F1 Live will be in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday

British driver Lewis Hamilton is looking for a fourth consecutive win at Silverstone on Sunday after taking to the top step of the podium in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

It would also be his fifth British Grand Prix triumph to equal fellow Brit Jim Clark and Frenchman Alain Prost's record tally.

Hamilton is looking for his fifth British GP victory on Sunday

Show cars will line up outside the National Gallery and revellers can enjoy interviews with F1 drivers, leading figures in the sport and music.

The live show and parade runs from 5.30pm to 9pm but for the younger fans there is a Schools and Innovation Showcase in Trafalgar Square from 12pm to 4pm.

The show plans to educate children, parents and teachers about careers linked to Formula 1 and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Around 40,000 engineers in the UK work on Formula 1

Fans unable to make it on such short notice can watch live on YouTube, on the F1 website or on Sky Sports F1.

Sean Bratches, managing director of commercial operations at Formula 1, said: “F1 Live London is the most striking example yet of Formula 1’s evolution this year.

"We feel there is no better way to celebrate the exciting season we have had so far than to have this landmark event in London on the eve of the British Grand Prix.

"This is all about giving our fans the opportunity to get closer to the teams, cars and drivers they love.”

Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed F1 Live

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “F1 Live London is a brilliant opportunity to show young people in our city that learning about science and engineering can provide them with fantastic careers, and can be great fun.

"It will also bring fans of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate a sport they are passionate about and in which Britain is a world leader.”

'Awed and inspired'

Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: “Westminster City Council has been working closely with the F1 teams and the Mayor of London to ensure that school children in central London will benefit from this exciting event.

"We hope that they will leave Trafalgar Square awed and inspired, with an eye on any one of the myriad of career opportunities in British Motorsport and beyond.

"Westminster is fully supportive of this type of event and we have worked with all authorities to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.”

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