Silverstone up against the wall

Will there be a British Grand Prix? Formula 1 in 2010 ? Nothing is less sure. Donington Park has already failed, Silverstone is now under pressure. Indeed, Bernie Ecclestone gave the British Racing Driver's Club, owner of the circuit, three weeks to find a solution with a view to the next British Grand Prix.

Damon Hill, president of the BRDC, therefore has until December 11 to ensure the financial viability of the British organization in the years to come. Beyond this date, the day on which the FIA ​​World Council meets, the big financier of F1 will draw a line under the event, which will disappear from the 2010 calendar.

« The World Council will meet and we will remove it, we will be obliged “, Bernie commented to the Times. “ We will have no other choice if we do not have a contract in return. We can only leave it on the calendar if we have a signed contract. »

The contract sent to the BRDC by Bernie Ecclestone provides for an increase in the grid fee of 7% per year, while Silverstone barely managed to make ends meet in 2009. Such an increase would double the amount demanded by the FOM. here ten years. But, recently, Damon Hill was confident about the positive outcome of the negotiations.

According to Bernie Ecclestone, a solution is indeed close. It will not come from the FOM but from investors ready to support the BRDC. “ We are close to an agreement, as long as investors are willing to take the risk of financing the project. »

In addition, the representative of the F1 commercial rights holders refutes the idea that he does not care about the absence of the British Grand Prix from the F1 calendar. “ Of course we want a British GP, I fought hard enough for that. But there is no reason for Silverstone to benefit from an exceptional contract. »