British GP facing a year on the sidelines

**The Feedster** · 12-05-2009

Hot from Planet F1 News

Bernie Ecclestone has ruled out Silverstone hosting the British GP next season and says he is prepared to shelve the race for a year in order for Donington to complete its required revamp to host the event."

Donington has a long-term contract to host the race from next year onwards but its ability to do so has been cast in considerable doubt after the circuit's owners instigated legal proceedings against Donington Park Ventures.

However, Ecclestone emerged from a "very good" meeting with Simon Gillett, the company's chief executive, on Monday to give the circuit his seal of approval and announce he would prefer to jettison the British GP for a year rather than make a return to Silverstone.

"If the work at Donington is not finished in time, we would be happy to skip a year," Ecclestone told The Times. "I don't want to lose the British Grand Prix - that's the last thing we want to do, but we aren't going to Silverstone for sure."
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**rolfw** · 12-05-2009

Just like that, prepared to shelve the British Grand Prix"If the work at Donington is not finished in time, we would be happy to skip a year", well you might be Bernie, but I think the British racing fans may have a slightly different take on this.

What an arrogant pillock

**Topper** · 12-05-2009

Originally Posted by rolfw

What an arrogant pillock

I agree Rolf, my expletive began and finished with the letter T

Who does he think he is, so suddenly he knows better than all the racing public in the UK, who has he fallen out with at Silverstone, does he not have a sufficiently big slice of the cake when they race there? or is it a case of well I cannot have it all so nobody will get anything?

It's time he took to his zimmer frame and retired, he has lost his focus and perspective, no wonder his other half cleared off

***Huevos*** · 12-05-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

who has he fallen out with at ilverstone

This has been going on for 20 years now. Bernie Ecclestone only asked for two things: to be able to talk directly with the promoter instead of through the BRDC, and that Silverstone be brought up to the standard of at least a third-world circuit. Anyone who has ever been to a GP at Silverstone will tell you it can take up to 6 hours just to get back to the M1 because the infrastructure is so poor.

**rolfw** · 12-05-2009

Originally Posted by Huevos

This has been going on for 20 years now. Bernie Ecclestone only asked for two things: to be able to talk directly with the promoter instead of through the BRDC, and that Silverstone be brought up to the standard of at least a third-world circuit. Anyone who has ever been to a GP at Silverstone will tell you it can take up to 6 hours just to get back to the M1 because the infrastructure is so poor.

That may well be the case, although I'm not quite so sure why he would need to talk directly to the promoter, as the promoter is a member of the BRDC.

Given the choice of the status quo or no race at all, which do you think the British racing fans would choose? Ecclestone has far too much power in my opinion, I would love to see the teams quit and form their own race calendar for next season under a new racing body with no involvement of Ecclestone.

**Topper** · 12-05-2009

And the infrastructure failure is linked in with the government and it is a remit which is not within the control of the BRDC and Bernie knows that. The circuit has been improved considerably in recent years, but the rest is controlled by the government and their inability to give the public what they want, it would seem they have been too busy lining their own pockets

***Huevos*** · 12-05-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

And the infrastructure failure is linked in with the government

Why should the taxpayer be burdened so Silverstone can make a profit? When Tesco builds a superstore on the out of town bypass it also finances a large share of the cost of the bypass. What has Silverstone contributed to external infrastructure over the last 25 years?

Originally Posted by Topper

The circuit has been improved considerably in recent years, but the rest is controlled by the government and their inability to give the public what they want, it would seem they have been too busy lining their own pockets

But it's still below the standard of a third world circuit. And again why should the taxpayer suffer the burden?

The comments about the Government "lining its pockets" are just a distraction which has nothing to do with what is going on at Silverstone.

Rolf, I don't really see what you mean about British race fans. Formula One is just a money making machine. What the fans want is of no consequence unless it means more money can be made.

As for how good Silverstone is think about this: the main base of every Formula One team is within 50 miles of Silverstone yet when it comes to testing the teams ship their cars to foreign tracks such as Barcelona. This is what the teams do individually and has nothing to do with Ecclestone.

**Topper** · 12-05-2009

Originally Posted by Huevos

Why should the taxpayer be burdened so Silverstone can make a profit? When Tesco builds a superstore on the out of town bypass it also finances a large share of the cost of the bypass. What has Silverstone contributed to external infrastructure over the last 25 years?

Seeing as the taxpayers already own 75% of the banks I fail to see the significance of your statement about the taxpayer.

To compare a small operation like Silverstone to the third largest company in the world is a futile comparison. Silverstone do not sell goods essential to human existence they are merely an entertainment industry.

Originally Posted by Huevos

But it's still below the standard of a third world circuit.

In comparision to the supercircuits built in the past 10 years yes I agree, more suited to the country we have become perhaps......... That still does not mean that we should have to do without a British Grand Prix for one year, I am confidant that if the general public put this to the vote they would vote for Silverstone for one more year rather than do without. The actual problem is, it would mean that Bernie would have to eat humble pie and talk to people he has fallen out with. As you say this happened 20 years ago the poor old fool obviously still bears grudges and is prepared to cut off his nose to spite his face and the British motor sport supporters suffer the consequences of his childish and unprofessional actions

Originally Posted by Huevos

The comments about the Government "lining its pockets" are just a distraction which has nothing to do with what is going on at Silverstone.

My comment is not a distraction it is firstly topical and secondly meant to highlight the fact that the government of the moment never have been sympathetic to sport or motor sport. It is my opinion, one which on this forum I am allowed and one which I think is valid.

Originally Posted by Huevos

As for how good Silverstone is think about this: the main base of every Formula One team is within 50 miles of Silverstone yet when it comes to testing the teams ship their cars to foreign tracks such as Barcelona. This is what the teams do individually and has nothing to do with Ecclestone.

Firstly your statement is regretably incorrect
Secondly the British weather does not allow for much dry weather testing and is therefore not the preferred circuit for testing, I do not find that unusual. Lets be honest here you prefer the sunshine in Spain I am sure!

***Huevos*** · 12-05-2009

Originally Posted by Topper

Firstly your statement is regretably incorrect

Which one? Brawn GP, Force India, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault and Williams are all based within about 50 miles from Silverstone. Maybe that's not quite all the teams but it's more than 50%. And, yes, I do like the weather here.

**Salty25** · 12-05-2009

Ultimately, this boils down to the fact Bernie wants a new track in Britain, but isn't prepared to pay for it.

Bernie has made it clear that if private business isn't prepared or able to fund a new track (which is no small undertaking), he believes it's the responsibility of the government to stump up the funds* - so what you're left with in Britain and other western countries is a catch-22 in which, post-credit crunch, neither situation is likely, especially when you consider that some of the new tracks still run at considerable loss.

I'd rather not have a British GP if that is what it has come to, it might very well speed up Bernie's retirement.

* Also, there is still kick-back from Bernie about the tobacco issue and the donation way back in '97.

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