BRDC aiming to retain sole ownershipThe future of Formula One racing at Silverstone hangs in the balance after the circuit's poor facilities have once again been criticised by leading figures in the sport ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix.
Formula One Chief Executive
Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Max Mosley have both called for Silverstone to be updated and though upgrades have been made, the future does not look bright for the Northamptonshire circuit.
"Unfortunately the criteria we laid down and the improvements we demanded for this circuit have not been met and I think the future of Silverstone is therefore in doubt," Ecclestone said. "There have been some improvements but not enough and I foresee that in five or six years we will be racing somewhere else."
The circuit is owned by the British Racing Driver's Club (BRDC) who have refused to sell to several potential investors.
McLaren Team Principle Ron Dennis, one of the top members of the BRDC, confirmed that the club will not sell the circuit and called for government investment.
"I am one of the guardians of the BRDC and this circuit," Dennis said.
"There has to be unanimous agreement for Silverstone to be sold to a developer and that will never happen if I'm still breathing."
"I think we should have the best Grand Prix circuit in the world. And, for that to be possible, there has to be investment. It doesn't mean to say a complete free hand-out, but there could be efforts made on planning, there could be support on infrastructure and there certainly could be a pound-for-pound match on any money that the club raises."
"The circuit is given plenty of criticism and sometimes it's deserved, but it is a true Grand Prix circuit, a circuit that's challenging for the drivers. Yes, the facilities could be better, but they're significantly better than a lot of other Grand Prix circuits in the world."
Source AFP
