Thursday 22nd May 2008

British GP To End Next Year?

Ecclestone signals that 2009 could be last ever British Grand Prix

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Is this the end for the British GP?

Bernie Ecclestone has warned that there could be no British Grand Prix after 2009.

The Formula One supreme has told the Daily Telegraph that there are currently no plans for a 2010 British GP and has likened negotiations about a contract for the Silverstone race a ‘dead duck’.

The track’s existing deal is said to run out next year and it is rumoured that a deal that will cost Silverstone £11.2million has been put on the table.

The proposal has apparently been quieried with Ecclestone, thus leaving a stalemate that puts the future of the British GP in the balance.

Silverstone has however reportedly offered to make improvements to the circuit that have been demanded.

Ecclestone said he was not optimistic of a resolution: ‘I suppose they could come back to me. They could get the building done in six months. But I would not put any money on it.

‘The BRDC know the terms. If they meet them, then we are in business. But at the moment they can't and therefore there is no race in 2010.’

[MonkeyVR6]

Give. A. st.

[pistolp]

Whats the issue with it?

And frankly, whats wrong with Donington?

[kelk]

This happens every year - Bernie wants more money and more facillities and Silverstone portray him as a grave robber without putting their hands in their pockets.

Stale mate really.

[Road_Terrorist]

I actually think this is a good thing, let Bernie bugger off chasing the money to sterile modern tracks in places like Russia, China, Turkey etc, maybe it will mean the old classic tracks can host some real racing and not a glorified advertising procession.

I also find it amusing that the advert at the top of this page is the autocar competition to win tickets to the 2008 British Grand Prix!

[Essex Exile]

Brands Hatch was always better anyway.

[Welshbeef]

pistolp said:

Whats the issue with it?

And frankly, whats wrong with Donington?

Big enough grandstands.

If Silverstone lose this then really there are not that many events there throughout the year.

Classic car racing
Le Mans series
British GT & F3
Britcar 24hr

Its also a shame that silverstone no longer permit camping within the circuit - I used to love camping there and then run out to see the evening testing of the Le Mans series cars - brakes glowing in the dark at 11pm... after some beers, A real shame.

Brands Hatch certainly offers a lot more these days.

[layabout]

Siverstone does need updating,taking in to account how much will be spent on the London Olympics,it would cost a fraction of that amount to update Siverstone.

[odyssey2200]

A: Am I bothered? No!
I have never been to the British Gp and never will while they charge more for a day pass that will just about get you within eyesight or the track that the ACo do for a weekend pass to Le Mans. I have had trips to Le Man for less than the price of a GP ticket.

B: After the GP when Tractors had to be used to get cars out of the mud bath the FIA (or who ever) told Silverstone to shape up or else.
Now I have been to Silverstone since and obviously a shed load of cash has been spent around the place.
So what does Bernie want?

Is he just being unreasonable/holding out of more cash from the BRDC?
Are the BRDC just as bad as the FIA?

What does Silverstone not have that other circuits do?

[RJDM3]

pistolp said:

Whats the issue with it?

And frankly, whats wrong with Donington?

Exactly! Donnington just need to improve seating capacity, certainly make a more interesting track than silverstone

[matt3001]

RJDM3 said:

pistolp said:

Whats the issue with it?

And frankly, whats wrong with Donington?

Exactly! Donnington just need to improve seating capacity, certainly make a more interesting track than silverstone

Whilst I agree and love Donington immensely, I was even there in the rain in 1993 as a little nipper. It is just impractical to use, no grandstands, awful traffic links (look at WSR last year) and they would do a GP lap in around 1:05.

I can't see Silverstone losing the GP, not with all the British teams and it is used as a common test bed

[Biggriff]

How to turn a whole country off F1. Shame on you Bernie.

[Husaberk]

Biggriff said:

How to turn a whole country off F1. Shame on you Bernie.

Happened to me at least 15 years ago, let him take the yawnfest somewhere else. The little tw@t is my black book for killing off the Bol D'or at Paul Ricard

[Le Mans Visitor]

What a jumped up little gnome that man is.

[Snoggledog]

I've never considered Silverstone as being one of the 'great' circuits. There are many other circuits out there which for the spectator are much more interesting. While it's a shame that they might well loose the ability to run F1 it's just too damned expensive.

Perhaps it's time for someone to start running a F1 league that's entertaining and not too expensive for the punter.

[oagent]

Must be that time of year again.
Silverstone is the only track in the UK thats currently suitable for the British GP. Sure others could be adapted, but at what cost? Hopefully one day they will come good on the promise and there wont be a British GP, with any luck BBC/ITV will refuse to buy the rights, the advertisers wont pay and that nasty little man can go f*** himself with a hedgehog.

[mark69sheer]

If Max stays in the FIA then its going to be the arabic world series from now on.

chase the ciggies chase the oil.

When we have seen the last of Max and Bernie and they no longer hold contracts over the European circuits then a new series will kick off instead...

[Skinner.Daddy]

Bernie is a Ck end.

Can't stand the man, I'd hate to be in F1. He's got no loyalty, compassion or patriotism. The only thing the old Tt is bothered about it money.

Nevermind his time's almost up, he must be nearly 80 now

[timewatch]

BERNIE is talking Sh!t !

They can't afford the petrol !

More like....

TW>>>

[havoc]

This is what happens when you give one man too much power...

[layabout]

Skinner.Daddy said:

Bernie is a Ck end.

Can't stand the man, I'd hate to be in F1. He's got no loyalty, compassion or patriotism. The only thing the old Tt is bothered about it money.

Nevermind his time's almost up, he must be nearly 80 now