Britain set to lose GP in 2005

[MADDOG-99]

Britain set to lose GP in 2005 April 22


Britain will not host Formula One beyond July if a new promoter fails to step forward and vow to immediately bring the Silverstone circuit up to scratch.


That's the latest warning of F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone.

The FOM chief acquired the promotional rights to the race earlier this week in a move which put it in real danger of making a hole for his new wave of F1 venues.

'I'd be delighted if [F1] were to go ahead at Silverstone,' said Ecclestone.



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He told the Daily Telegraph that Silverstone, located in rural Northamptonshire and owned by the British Racing Drivers' Club, should look closely at Bahrain.

'That's what facilities should look like,' Bernie, 73, continued.

'Silverstone has to fall in line. I put a chunk of money into it and all I saw were new car parks - they're nice but we need a new pit and paddock complex.

'Unless the BRDC do this, there will not be a grand prix in the UK in 2005.'

 

[Mike Rotch]

Britian not having a GP is like not having SPA. The season just isnt the same. Why cant Donington step up to the plate?

 

[Race Idiot]

Originally posted by Mike Rotch
Britian not having a GP is like not having SPA. The season just isnt the same. Why cant Donington step up to the plate?

I'd like to see donnington make a return, although I don't know if the current facillitys could cope with it. Meh, i'd really like to see Brands hatch more.

 

[aljones]

I don't think it matters which circuit in Britain you choose, none of them come up to scratch when compared with the new modern circuits in Bahrain, Malaysia, etc. Time has stood still at the British tracks, and they simply haven't kept up pace with the rest of the current F1 tracks. They are fine for National championships, and even the smaller international ones. At the end of the day, there are plenty of tracks around the world that have could potentially hold an F1 race, including the like of Silverstone, Donny and Brands, but they need investment to bring the facilities up to the same standards seen elsewhere. I totally support the British GP, and don't want it dropped from the calendar, but its only going to happen if the BRDC and the government put money into it. Unfortunately, I doubt the GP will ever move to Brands or Donny unless they build up their facilities sooner than Silverstone.

 

[Pupik]

I don't think the British GP will ever disappear. Even though Silverstone has it's problems, it's still much more up-to-date than Brands Hatch (which I'd rather see "steal" the GP rights).

I wouldn't mid seeing it at Donnington, but the one post-war GP there ('93) will be hard to beat in terms of excitement...

 

[3rdgenracerX]

This kinda reminds me of Nascar and North Wilksbro Speedway. It was a great short track in its day but the owners of the track never invested back into it to make the facilities and track better. After years of unhappy teams and fans Nascar droped the track due to it not keeping uptodate with the other track's on the schedule. I can see this happening if none of the British tracks get uptodate. With the likes of Bahrain and its wonderous facilities old tracks cant keep up with it.

 

[Blake]

Agreed, if they can't keep there facilities up to scratch the they shouldn't have a GP.

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

What? That's the only track that Reubens Barrichello can win on. suckstobehim

I suppose it was that DUMBAS* that decided to run onto the track last year, that sparked this issue? That's what it means by "keeping it's facilities up to scratch" I suppose?

 

[Eagle]

Shame to see Silverstone go, original home of F1 and has hosted a round each year since I believe. Yes there are other venues but 2003 proved racing can be every bit as exciting as at other venues, and far more overtaking seems to happen at Silverstone than other circuits. Still, we're seeing quite a shake up atm, so who knows what the future holds (besides Bernie and perhaps Max Mosley).

 

[Party for GT4]

Noooooo.
The first year I consider going to F1 and it could be the last in the UK

 

[Blake]

What was that guy who ran on to the track protesting about...if anything?

 

[millencolin]

join a church i think......

this is millencolins theroy......britain will always need a gp, and will always have one. in my mind, the british gp is the most prestigeous after monaco. most of the teams are english, its the birthplace of formula one, challenging track, many sponsors are british, and britain is one of the largest markets in the world. britain will ALWAYS have a grand prix...if not, then something is seriously wrong with formula one and bernie

 

[aljones]

Originally posted by Eagle
Shame to see Silverstone go, original home of F1 and has hosted a round each year since I believe.

Silverstone hasn't always had the GP. Brands Hatch hosted the race every other year between 1964 and 1986. Also, between 1955 and 1966, Aintree hosted the race 5 times.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

The thing is that it's unfair to expect a 1935 airfield to compete with a brand new, purpose-built facility that was paid for by $300m of Government money.

Silverstone is an interesting track, and there's no doubt that facilities there have improved (I've been to the last 4 British GPs).

But the British Government sees all the money in F1 and thinks "why should the taxpayer cough up?", whilst simultaneously giving tons of money to British National Opera. Ultimately it's about politics, and it requires someone far more politically astute than Jackie Stewart to be in charge of the BRDC before something decent will happen.

I've seem some plans, and I've seen some machinations going on behind the scenes. The BRDC will have to lever wee Jackie out of the Presidency before progress is made.

 

[Eagle]

Originally posted by Blake
What was that guy who ran on to the track protesting about...if anything?

I can't remember if it was an animal right's activist or an anti-Iraq war protestor, you could probably dig it up in some news archives somewhere. Formula1.com would have it.

I wasn't sure about the Brands Hatch thing because I knew races had been held there, along with Donington Park and Aintree, but I'd read that Silverstone had hosted a round each year, so I thought they might have held one at both venues, much like Germany hosts at Hockenheim and Nurburgrin and Italy at Imola and Monza. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[millencolin]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
whilst simultaneously giving tons of money to British National Opera.

thats all i can say bout that