Silverstone (again) set to terminate British GP contract.

Silverstone (again) set to terminate British GP contract.

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/40518666

Looking possibly almost certain this time after 2019.

What's the answer? Should the government prop up the British GP? Should there be a street race in London?

It doesn't seem to be able to keep going on funded by the BRDC.

Drumroll

3,738 posts

119 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Don't really think it is BRDC that are at fault here. It is the promoters that are just asking too much to put on the show.

The government have already put in lots of money into Silverstone. (by funding the road building programme, etc)

As for a London race where is the money to set it all up going to come from? certainly not the promoters.


Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Here we go again.

Europa1

10,923 posts

187 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Difficult to know what the answer is. The commercial difficulty as I understand it is the fact that the only revenue the BRDC gets for hosting the race is ticket sales (and catering concessions?). Everything else goes to FOM.

Government propping it up after 2019 will, as I understand it, depend on where we are with Brexit (EU state aid rules).

London I just can't see happening - yes I know Monaco and Singapore do it, but I just cannot see how it could be done in London without significant traffic paralysis. I'm also not sure where you could put any significant grandstands.

FourWheelDrift

88,381 posts

283 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Europa1 said:
London I just can't see happening - yes I know Monaco and Singapore do it, but I just cannot see how it could be done in London without significant traffic paralysis. I'm also not sure where you could put any significant grandstands.
What about around the Olympic Park, I can see a circuit in there and space for more without causing traffic disruption, what has been done with the stadium, could that be incorporated like they do in Mexico? - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/London/@51.539...


hairyben

8,516 posts

182 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Part of me wonders if the constant threat of termination is just a way of shifting a few more overpriced tickets to those who justify it on the basis they might not get another chance...

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
This will be fking sad if it happens.

Albeit its the biggest rip off I have ever paid for to be honest....

Been once and I think all told it cost about a grand for the weekend including grandstand seats which were IIRC £350 each? Absolutely ludicrous when you think about it.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
They will trigger the break clause, that will allow a new contract to be negotiated with Liberty on more sustainable terms.

They would be mad not to now we have new owners, who appear to understand things have to change to have a long term product.

ukaskew

10,642 posts

220 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Why did they sign the 5% increase thing if they knew they couldn't afford it in the long run?

I have some sympathy though, it is madness that is essentially not sustainable without government input. The circuits should have far more flexibility in generating additional income.


Derek Smith

45,514 posts

247 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
jsf said:
They will trigger the break clause, that will allow a new contract to be negotiated with Liberty on more sustainable terms.

They would be mad not to now we have new owners, who appear to understand things have to change to have a long term product.
I think they'd be foolhardy not to push Liberty at the moment. The British is one of the 'traditional' circuits, so one that Liberty reckons they want to keep. If it costs Silverstone money to put on (unlikely, but perhaps not enough profit for the charge) then it has a strong case.

There's already been one circuit drop out without being able to gain concessions. Perhaps Lib will make a stand. Who knows?

It is normally advertised as a sell-out but I've been told that's not strictly true.


cuprabob

14,419 posts

213 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Isn't it just a case of them using an option in their existing contract to allow them to try and negotiate a better deal with Liberty Media?

thainy77

3,347 posts

197 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
p1stonhead said:
This will be fking sad if it happens.

Albeit its the biggest rip off I have ever paid for to be honest....

Been once and I think all told it cost about a grand for the weekend including grandstand seats which were IIRC £350 each? Absolutely ludicrous when you think about it.
Not when you compare it to 90 minutes of a Premier League game, it's a relative bargain.

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
thainy77 said:
p1stonhead said:
This will be fking sad if it happens.

Albeit its the biggest rip off I have ever paid for to be honest....

Been once and I think all told it cost about a grand for the weekend including grandstand seats which were IIRC £350 each? Absolutely ludicrous when you think about it.
Not when you compare it to 90 minutes of a Premier League game, it's a relative bargain.
Still is when you compare it to any other form of motorsport.

Reno

39 posts

239 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
I wonder how much Circuit Paul Ricard's deal will be for Hosting the French or European GP ......

Evangelion

7,640 posts

177 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Why would it be such a disaster if Silverstone lost the BGP?

Wouldn't Donington then step in?

(I shouldn't have to remind anyone what a brilliant race the last GP to be held there was ...)

ukaskew

10,642 posts

220 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
thainy77 said:
Not when you compare it to 90 minutes of a Premier League game, it's a relative bargain.
Things don't really work like that. Keeping it strictly motorsport £350 could go a very, very long way. My usual year looked a bit like this (until I had a kid!)...

Castle Combe Season Pass: £120
Festival of Speed Friday: £50
BTCC Thruxton Weekend: £40
Silverstone 24hr Weekend: £20

That lot plus accommodation for FoS came in under £300.





anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
jsf said:
They will trigger the break clause, that will allow a new contract to be negotiated with Liberty on more sustainable terms.

They would be mad not to now we have new owners, who appear to understand things have to change to have a long term product.
Trouble is, loads of these other countries (governments) are paying loads more than silverstone to host a GP.

Liberty seem to want to keep a British GP but not at any cost. The calendar is full and there's plenty of places willing to pay far more than the BRDC can afford.

covboy

2,573 posts

173 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Evangelion said:
Why would it be such a disaster if Silverstone lost the BGP?

Wouldn't Donington then step in?

(I shouldn't have to remind anyone what a brilliant race the last GP to be held there was ...)
Been there
Done that
Nearly killed the Circuit

Doesn't have the infrastructure for modern Grand Prix

Doink

1,652 posts

146 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Donington would be ace for me as i only live 20mins away wink but whatever became of the circuit of Wales, is that still happening?

Wingo

298 posts

170 months

Thursday 6th July 2017
quotequote all
Yes it went really well last time Donnington's owners thought they were going to take on the British Grand prix.

This latest move is all part of the game by the BRDC and liberty media, up to two more years before we find out who has compromised.

Wingo.