British GP to be held at Silverstone from 2010

[Crashbroke23]

dont know if youve seen this on the topgear website?????

http://sundayafternoonclub.blogs.topgear.com/2009/02/16/donington-track/

pretty cool vid.

It really is. But personally, I rater the old Donnington or the same variation of the circuit used at the Superleague Formula just with more paved runoff.

 

[GTP_Deathwalker]

Donington is superior to Silverstone already, alright silverstone has all the 'world class' facilities but Donington has the better track, Silverstone is flat and boring, i went for the world series by renault and is flat, too many long straights. Donington will improve its facilities for MotoGP (even tho silverstone has motogp from 2010) as well as Silverstone

 

[Ardius]

Donington is superior to Silverstone already, alright silverstone has all the 'world class' facilities but Donington has the better track, Silverstone is flat and boring, i went for the world series by renault and is flat, too many long straights. Donington will improve its facilities for MotoGP (even tho silverstone has motogp from 2010) as well as Silverstone

Silverstone has always provided a good race though, it doesn't matter what it looks like, as long as it provides good racing. Silverstone has the larger history where Donington doesn't (in F1).
Brands Hatch has them both beat though, pity its located where it is.

 

[Peter]

I'm really gonna miss silverstone. Great track with some great history. ah well, there's still the 24 hours of silverstone to watch

 

[Roo]

ah well, there's still the 24 hours of silverstone to watch

Actually, there isn't. The longest races Silverstone has this year are the Britcar 500 (500 miles, about 6 hours) and the Autosport 1000km Le Mans Series race.

I was looking forward to seeing the 24 hour race at Silverstone too; in the past I couldn't go because the dates always clashed with things I had to do.

 

[Touring Mars]

It looks like the British GP will not be at Donington next year...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8300268.stm

 

[Ardius]

And now we have 2 British World Champions in the field too, surely that along with the high attendance at Silverstone this year and the recent profit by the venue should (finally) convince Bernie to allow a far longer and more reasonable contract with Silverstone?

Either way, Donington is now screwed, not just for holding Grand Prix, but for holding anything. Without the prospect of holding Grand Prix and this well-covered financial mess, who will back the necessary clean up to finish fixing the track?

I thought Bernie would be the winner, but now I think about it, Silverstone is probably the winner, because they have a strong position now to demand a far better contract. (though its been helped by said 2 WDC's)

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I thought Bernie would be the winner, but now I think about it, Silverstone is probably the winner, because they have a strong position now to demand a far better contract.

The British Grand Prix is screwed.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the BRDC are bad for the sport. They only care for the history of the event, when they should be moreconcerned with the future. They assume that because they're Silverstone and it's the British Grand Prix, that the event will always be theirs. Ecclestone has been riding them for years to upgrade their pit facilities - not spectator stuff, but the pit buildings - and they just dig their heel in. They twist, they turn, and in the end, they only ever do the barest of minimums. Every other year there seems to be a story about how work at Silverstone is pressing ahead, and it never seems to materialise.

Now that Ecclestone has to pretty much go crawling back to Silverstone, Damon Hill and the BRDC aren't going to let him forget it any time soon. They'll have the power now, and while that would normally be a good thing, the BRDC are the only people who I think would be worse than Ecclestone when it comes to the subject of who has the power. Like I said, they're too concerned with the past and care nothing for the future. They'll run the race into the ground, and they'll probably expect us to be thaknful of it.

 

[Only_in_f1]

It looks like the British GP will not be at Donington next year...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8300268.stm

I lol'd.

The only shame here is now Donington has no real track to stage any high profile events on, and very little money.

It's a shame they messed with such a great circuit.

 

[ExigeEvan]

If, if Donington can eventually get the money together is there a chance of it hosting the European GP? It is generally the standard a champ gets a 2nd GP in their home country. However, is that a long term contract elsewhere?

 

[TheCracker]

The British Grand Prix is screwed.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the BRDC are bad for the sport. They only care for the history of the event, when they should be moreconcerned with the future. They assume that because they're Silverstone and it's the British Grand Prix, that the event will always be theirs. Ecclestone has been riding them for years to upgrade their pit facilities - not spectator stuff, but the pit buildings - and they just dig their heel in. They twist, they turn, and in the end, they only ever do the barest of minimums. Every other year there seems to be a story about how work at Silverstone is pressing ahead, and it never seems to materialise.

Now that Ecclestone has to pretty much go crawling back to Silverstone, Damon Hill and the BRDC aren't going to let him forget it any time soon. They'll have the power now, and while that would normally be a good thing, the BRDC are the only people who I think would be worse than Ecclestone when it comes to the subject of who has the power. Like I said, they're too concerned with the past and care nothing for the future. They'll run the race into the ground, and they'll probably expect us to be thaknful of it.

The BRDC's problem is that they just don't have the finances to update Silverstone's facilities, it's as simple as that. Hosting the GP doesn't bring in the revenue they'd need to make it viable. The UK is one of few countries whose government won't financially support their round of the F1 World Championship. Which is why there are so many new GP rounds hosted by countries with emerging economies.

Donington failing to get their bond supported doesn't give Silverstone anymore power, it certainly doesn't mean Bernie will be 'crawling back' to Silverstone. Bernie crawls for no one

If anything it means that Silverstone/The BRDC will have to offer more to keep any chance of having a British GP at all.

It's a shame they messed with such a great circuit.

I don't know if they'd even started doing anything major with it as yet. They were still hosting races there a couple of months or so back.

 

[Only_in_f1]

I don't know if they'd even started doing anything major with it as yet. They were still hosting races there a couple of months or so back.

Well according the BBC they don't have the facilities to host any sort of event?

It lost it's Moto GP contract to Silverstone and that was a massive deal to lose

 

[TheCracker]

Well according the BBC they don't have the facilities to host any sort of event?

It lost it's Moto GP contract to Silverstone and that was a massive deal to lose

I presume they still have the original pit buildings? I was under the impression that they were remaining for use with club racing.

 

[Only_in_f1]

I was led to believe half the track is dug up and they have very little money left to do anything?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I was led to believe half the track is dug up and they have very little money left to do anything?

Uh-huh.

 

[Touring Mars]

If anything it means that Silverstone/The BRDC will have to offer more to keep any chance of having a British GP at all.

Sad but true...

Bernie crawls for no one

"I will..."​

 

[Tired Tyres]

The deadline for Donington park has passed with no word either from them or the FIA.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8300268.stm

 

[GM]

Confirmation of what we were expecting

Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has categorically insisted there will be no British Grand Prix at Donington Park next year.

Full article on BBC

 

[Touring Mars]

Great quote from Bernie this morning, from the BBC web site:

As I mentioned earlier, Ted Kravitz has had a word with Bernie Ecclestone about the future of the British Grand Prix. Bernie says he would be "delighted" if Silverstone signed the contract on the table, but that negotiations are "finished". Ted asks if there is anything Silverstone can do. Cheeky Bernie responds: "They need to go and buy a pen."

 

[Ardius]

And during free practice Ted basically explained Bernie feels he is going as low as he can go and will not bring the offer down - so its up to the BRDC to come up with more money and sign or not hold a race.

 

[Famine]

And during free practice Ted basically explained Bernie feels he is going as low as he can go and will not bring the offer down.

For reference, that offer is for Silverstone to pay £12m to Bernie, rising by 7% every year.

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

The British GP is GO...on Silverstone

That's what the Daily Mail reports:

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5750720,00.html

 

[MatskiMonk]

So it's official, the BGP is back at Silverstone.. oh Joy... </sarcasm>

Better get the Vaseline ready for when they announce the ticket prices!

 

[Ian Poole]

The British GP is GO...on Silverstone

That's what the Daily Mail reports:

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5750720,00.html

Also just confirmed on BBC F1 site

Silverstone has agreed a 17-year deal to host the British Grand Prix from 2010, ensuring the prestigious race is not axed from the Formula 1 calendar.

The Northamptonshire circuit stepped in to stage the event which next year takes place on 11 July after Donington Park was stripped of the rights.

And the news ensures the oldest race on the F1 calendar retains its place.

Under the new agreement, Silverstone, which hosted this year's British Grand Prix in July, will be redeveloped.

The modernisation of the facilities at Silverstone, which first staged the British Grand Prix in 1948, will focus on rebuilding the pit lanes and paddock.

"This announcement is tremendous news," said 1996 F1 world champions Damon Hill who is president of the British Racing Drivers Club president (BRDC), which owns Silverstone.

"It's not easy to enter into an agreement of this magnitude. It's a big commitment.

"But the BRDC felt we wanted this relationship to continue, and we were prepared to back the negotiating team, with the level of risk satisfactory for the deal to go ahead."

Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips said: "We've always had five-year deals and never been able to get the investment we needed to redevelop.

"But 17 years gives us the ability to invest and move forward.

"We've always had the belief the British Grand Prix was an important cornerstone of Formula One but, with Bernie, you're never quite sure, at the end of the day, though, you have to have a British Grand Prix."

More to follow.

 

[MatskiMonk]

"The modernisation of the facilities at Silverstone, which first staged the British Grand Prix in 1948, will focus on rebuilding the pit lanes and paddock."

Oh great, that will really help, that's just what the 100000 people getting fleeced for the ticket prices really want to see... nice shiney new buildings for the teams and the sponsors! Hows about they develop the spectator side of the track a little too.. I suspect some of that hasn't actually been renewed since 1948!

And somehow, Silverstone need to increase access to the track. Even a small event such as the Renault World Series can result in hours lost stationary in the car.

.. also LOWER the set prices at the food vendors at the track! I don't want to pay £10 per head for a mangy hot dog and a midget sized portion of chips! A family doing that 4 times throughout the weekend would cover the cost of tickets to the BTCC at Silverstone!

 

[TheCracker]

Oh great, that will really help, that's just what the 100000 people getting fleeced for the ticket prices really want to see... nice shiney new buildings for the teams and the sponsors! Hows about they develop the spectator side of the track a little too.. I suspect some of that hasn't actually been renewed since 1948!

The changes to the track and pit facilities were going to be made regardless of whether Silverstone won back the British GP. They were part of the Moto GP package. Bernie is the one who holds the key to ticket prices. Since the British GP doesn't get Govn money like a lot do, the circuit needs to make it's money somehow. The more Bernie charges Silverstone for the rights to host the GP, the more Silverstone has to charge for tickets. A Moto GP ticket there will set you back only £55 for race day compared to £103 for the F1 on race day. That's £48 for Bernie's pocket.

And somehow, Silverstone need to increase access to the track. Even a small event such as the Renault World Series can result in hours lost stationary in the car.

The Government/local council have only recently spent bajillions on access and a new dual carriageway (A43) to feed spectators to and from the track. You'll get congestion at any big sporting at any location.

.. also LOWER the set prices at the food vendors at the track! I don't want to pay £10 per head for a mangy hot dog and a midget sized portion of chips! A family doing that 4 times throughout the weekend would cover the cost of tickets to the BTCC at Silverstone!

Blame the vendors, it's they who set the prices.

 

[MatskiMonk]

The changes to the track and pit facilities were going to be made regardless of whether Silverstone won back the British GP. They were part of the Moto GP package. Bernie is the one who holds the key to ticket prices. Since the British GP doesn't get Govn money like a lot do, the circuit needs to make it's money somehow. The more Bernie charges Silverstone for the rights to host the GP, the more Silverstone has to charge for tickets. A Moto GP ticket there will set you back only £55 for race day compared to £103 for the F1 on race day. That's £48 for Bernie's pocket.

I appreciate that, however it doesnt change the fact that as a paying spectator my experience is not going to be benefitted by new paddock and pit facilities.

The Government/local council have only recently spent bajillions on access and a new dual carriageway (A43) to feed spectators to and from the track. You'll get congestion at any big sporting at any location.

Yeah, the A43 is lovely.. except at the circuit itself there is single lane slip-road off the dual carriageway... the A43 just gets you to the traffic jam quicker! The other entrances are served by B-roads and thanks to the traffic management they're pretty useless anyway. I expect it to be busy, but I live in Daventry, google map Daventry to Silverstone.. then explain why in 2006 (the last GP I went to) it took 5 hours to get home - thats not simply congestion, the traffic managment was 🤬 poor.

Blame the vendors, it's they who set the prices.

Silverstone set standard prices for the food and drink vendors in an effort to keep things fair, however since Silverstone charge the 'Burger vans' about £3000 per day per pitch (IIRC), those amounts have to be pretty high. Thats a combination of information from a vendor I spoke to at the Historic Sports car meet this year, and a friend who was contemplating trying to get a spot for the '08 GP for his burger van.

 

[TheCracker]

I appreciate that, however it doesnt change the fact that as a paying spectator my experience is not going to be benefitted by new paddock and pit facilities.

No, of course not, but it does attract big-money corporate guest hospitality set-ups which does bring the money in. It's also, more importantly, what Bernie requires any circuit to have if they are to have any hope of hosting a GP these days. No modern spec pit facilities = no GP.

Yeah, the A43 is lovely.. except at the circuit itself there is single lane slip-road off the dual carriageway... the A43 just gets you to the traffic jam quicker! The other entrances are served by B-roads and thanks to the traffic management they're pretty useless anyway. I expect it to be busy, but I live in Daventry, google map Daventry to Silverstone.. then explain why in 2006 (the last GP I went to) it took 5 hours to get home - thats not simply congestion, the traffic managment was 🤬 poor.

I was at the 2008 GP and got from the trackside carpark on the outside of Abbey to the M1 within an hour on the Sunday afternoon/evening and was back in Sheffield within 2.5 hours of leaving the circuit. I don't know if it was different back in 2006, but in 2008 the A43 was closed to traffic eastbound from the circuit to at least the first roundabout (near the McDonalds) so all 4 carriage ways (and therefore both slip roads) were used to get folks into the circuit on the Saturday morning and the opposite on Sunday afternoon. I'd guess that there was a similar set-up west bound from the M40 too.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I was at the 2008 GP and got from the trackside carpark on the outside of Abbey to the M1 within an hour on the Sunday afternoon/evening and was back in Sheffield within 2.5 hours of leaving the circuit. I don't know if it was different back in 2006, but in 2008 the A43 was closed to traffic eastbound from the circuit to at least the first roundabout (near the McDonalds) so all 4 carriage ways (and therefore both slip roads) were used to get folks into the circuit on the Saturday morning and the opposite on Sunday afternoon. I'd guess that there was a similar set-up west bound from the M40 too.

Maybe it's improved, and as I recall both carriageways were open for exiting traffic in '06 too, however, from leaving the SRC car park to that Macdonalds roundabout was in excess of 2 and a half hours, I recall distinctly as it was a ludicrously hot day and my radiator dumped all it's coolant, I had to stop at the Garage next to MacDonalds to full it up, then again at the Total garage at Towcester.

I appreciate, of all of my gripes, the traffic situation is the one Silverstone can do least about, Donnington suggested 'Park and ride' to overcome similar problems there. Silverstone should try and impliment the same kind of thing for 2010.

 

[Alex.]

3 day tickets booked