So it looks like Silvo has allegedly secured the GP for next 17 years.. huzzah. Majorly heartbreaking that the once fabulous Dono track had to get royal hashed up for nothing though..

British GP

Bernie has apparently added stipulations to the contract with an out clause after 10 years if Silverstone hasn't met these. Most of these are to do with the facility upgrades according to what was just been discussed on BBC news.

Eddie Jordan was saying that Silverstone has to now get the funding together & upgrade because its fallen way behind most other circuits in terms of team & spectator facilities.



Seems they could be looking at moving F1 to the MotoGP layout if they get FIA approval.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8397777.stm

Silverstone is also set to stage the British MotoGP in 2010 and the venue is planning to use that modified track layout for the grand prix if they can get FIA approval. If not, they will stick with the old circuit.

It's nice to see a long-term committment to have a British Grand Prix, one that will probably out live "The Evil Elf," if not CVC's ownership of Formula One. Let's hope the British Racing Driver's Club and the Silverstone circuit don't go broke in the next seventeen years.

Speaking of which, I don't think Bernie's change of heart was entirely magnanamous -- I suspect CVC had something to do with it. They are a British corporation and Britain is the home base to several Formula One teams. It is also the home of an awful lot of rabid F1 fans who would raise a high holy stink, cause riots or worse, stop buying whatever CVC sells if there were no British Grand Prix. Hell hath no fury like an English soccer hooligan who has deliberately not bought his beer because he's mad at the company that owns the brewery, or something. Thus, saving the British Grand Prix may have been more an attempt to keep income and prevent damage to the building (and possible assassinations) than one of pure love for motorsports and British race fans.

Still and all, it's nice to see England will still have a Formula One race at what has become it's "traditional" home.

GreyWolf74 - 07 December 2009 12:53 PM

Speaking of which, I don't think Bernie's change of heart was entirely magnanamous -- I suspect CVC had something to do with it. They are a British corporation and Britain is the home base to several Formula One teams. It is also the home of an awful lot of rabid F1 fans who would raise a high holy stink, cause riots or worse, stop buying whatever CVC sells if there were no British Grand Prix.

My guess is there was a very real chance that if there were no British GP in 2010, there would be no Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Group CEO, in 2011. No guessing needed to figure out that this was a business decision - no one would make money off this race if it didn't happen. The details should be interesting.

GreyWolf74 - 07 December 2009 12:53 PM

Speaking of which, I don't think Bernie's change of heart was entirely magnanamous -- I suspect CVC had something to do with it.

Was apparently Jean Todt that got involved & worked with both sides to broker a comprimise.

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/

It appears that quietly in the background, new FIA president Jean Todt has been influential in persuading Ecclestone that the British Grand Prix is an important event on the calendar and must be saved. On that basis, he will no doubt also be pushing for a return of the French Grand Prix as soon as possible.

Welcome back Silverstone! The Donnington debacle is a prime example of why Bernie should be asked to step down. There was no reason for Donnington to be considered for Formula One other than Bernie wanting to teach the BRDC a thing or two, which it turns out he was not able to do.

Good.

And of course we need a French Grand Prix as well! I wouldn't mind if it would be at Magny-Cours.

I think long term is the key phrase in this agreement. No more will it or won't it happen.

How about we ask JT to shove little B the rest of the way into the grave so we get indy back while were at it. I'm happy for the British GP and all but come on... Indy was racing for 36 years before Silverstone and it got thrown out by a bitter old man two years ago… The only difference is that apparently we don’t seem to have the pull of the motherland…

stone the crows - 07 December 2009 04:31 PM

Welcome back Silverstone! The Donnington debacle is a prime example of why Bernie should be asked to step down. There was no reason for Donnington to be considered for Formula One other than Bernie wanting to teach the BRDC a thing or two, which it turns out he was not able to do.

Unless I'm totally wrong, didn't Silverstone/BRDC agree to the same terms they've agreed in the past? Improvements to the paddock, grandstands and infrastructure surrounding the circuit.
They never got it done before.

IIRC Donington was considered because they made it appear they could get improvements finished on time and a palace style paddock would be built.
The financing never happened but they did make a better offer of improvements at the time Bernie was again trying to get Silverstone to come to terms.

Personally, I also wouldn't have minded Donington getting the GP. From here, either would be on TV anyway.

Leave it to the speedtv "legacy" F1 forum to yet again find a way to put a negative spin on good news...

This place is truly unbelievable...