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Damon Hill, the former world champion, has warned of the real threat of there being no British Grand Prix next year.
Silverstone chiefs Neil England and Richard Phillips remained locked in talks with Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone last night with regard to the race remaining at the Northamptonshire circuit.
With Donington Park’s bid “over” according to Ecclestone, attention has naturally reverted towards Silverstone again playing host, as the home of the event for the last 23 years.
After failing last week to secure the £135m bond required to revamp the east Midlands track, Ecclestone and Silverstone are back at the negotiating table.
Ecclestone, however, has wasted no time in applying the pressure by insisting there will be no cut-price deal for Silverstone. It is understood England and Phillips are dismayed the contract on the table from Ecclestone is the one they stalled on signing last year, which allowed Donington to step in and agree a 17-year deal. Independent
This explains the reluctance of Hill, the 1996 world champion who now presides over the BRDC, to go along with Ecclestone’s plan.
Asked about the chances of the British Grand Prix falling off the calendar, Hill said: “It’s a possibility — absolutely.”
“The BRDC have to sign a contract which makes sense and can’t sign up to a contract which could get them into the same dangers as Donington.”
“Silverstone is not responsible for providing a grand prix, and it’s not Bernie Ecclestone’s job to give a discounted race to Britain.”
Many observers will say shame on Ecclestone. After all, he apparently entertained the idea of moving from Silverstone to Donington partially out of spite after falling out with the BRDC. He saw them as blazers before businessmen.
Over recent weeks, Ecclestone has been willfully contrary over the whole issue. He has talked of being ‘optimistic’ that there will be a British Grand Prix; there again, he has said Britain can live without one. Daily Mail
But Hill said he understood Ecclestone could make more money by taking the race elsewhere. “He can get a value globally that is far in excess of what he can get for the UK.
“We can respect that it is a difficult position for him to be in. He has to answer to his shareholders.
“Other countries are bound to pay a premium, but their revenue streams are more open than they are to a promoter in the UK,” he added.
“We feel the best thing to do is to designate a venue with a long enough term plan that you can tailor your investments,” explained Hill, whose later father Graham was also a Formula One world champion.
“There are options on the table. There are discussions taking place and I’m hopeful something can be sorted out.” Yahoo! Eurosport
