Silverstone officials have been given power to seek outside investment for the first time in 38 years to try and win back the British Grand Prix.
The circuit, which will be replaced as the host of the British GP by Donington next year, has been run by the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) since 1971.
And members voted to allow external investment to improve infrastructure, related technologies and training. BBC Sport
The decision was welcomed by former world champion Damon Hill, now president of the BRDC.
He said: “This vote is a significant result for the future of Silverstone. It is an international sports arena and we are continuing with plans to develop it in keeping with the very highest standards. The primary function of Silverstone will always be racing, hopefully, with a Formula One Grand Prix.”
Silverstone is now waiting to see if Donington can meet next month’s deadline, set by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, to secure the £80m it needs for crucial building work to take place ahead of next year’s race.
Businessman Simon Gillett shocked Formula One 13 months ago when he announced he had secured a 17-year contract from Ecclestone to stage the event at Donington. As a consequence of Gillett’s ambitions, this summer’s race won by Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel was to have been the last to be held at Silverstone, which was the venue for the first-ever world championship round in 1950.
But if the Donington project falls through, as many within the sport suspect may happen, Silverstone has declared it is ready to carry on staging the Grand Prix, and Ecclestone has said he would be happy for the former wartime bomber base to fill the breach next season.
However, Ecclestone also insisted the long-term future of Silverstone as a Grand Prix venue would depend on extensive new spectator facilities, a new pits and paddock complex to match the ultra-modern tracks that have recently been built in Asia and the Middle East. This is London
| 
|