Comments on: Silverstone gets new Grand Prix deadline

By: Chaz

Chaz — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:36:20 +0000

Fingers crossed its good news as Silverstone are scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow according to the BBC – http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8397777.stm

By: Accidental Mick

Accidental Mick — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:29:12 +0000

Wash your mouth out with soap

By: BrundleF1Fan

BrundleF1Fan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:42:37 +0000

I agree with with GP4Carl on this. Bernie loses face if the the GP ends up back at Silverstone, that’s why he’s currently being tough wih them. I can understand why he would be happy if the British GP misses a year and comes back at Donington. The biggest problem is the investment.

By: Nitpicker

Nitpicker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:08:47 +0000

Tom Wheatcroft had nothing to do with the recent GP deal, it was undertaken by Donington Ventures. Now that DVLL is in administration, their lease could be cancelled and control of the property revert back to the Wheatcroft family.

Not that any of this would make a 2011 Donington GP more likely.

By: Nitpicker

Nitpicker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:04:23 +0000

only now have they started even thinking about doing what he has asked

It took years to negotiate the planning permission for track improvements. By contrast, Donington were given planning approval in a matter of months. This wasn’t the BRDC’s fault.

The deal that has been offered to Silverstone is perhaps the cheapest deal for any venue. Slashing the prices further would be unfair to other venues

It doesn’t matter how cheap it is, if it’s too expensive to afford, then the contract can’t be signed. There are laws that stop company directors agreeing to unrealistic deals like this.

Keith is right that Bernie could seriously shoot himself in the foot here. He needs to wake up and understand that F1 can’t price out it’s founding venues that attract more fans than the newer, better funded ones.

By: Dave Wykes

Dave Wykes — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:18:22 +0000

Isn’t the fundamental problem with Bernies demands the escalation over the 17 year period…..it’s way higher than any foreacst of indices in this country (or others unless they have rampant inflatio…hope we don’t).

Bernie may be calculating on this basis and adding risk of not getting the whole money over the contract period…would be good sport watching Bernie suing some of the less stable regimes.

17 years of F1….I doubt it.

So we need a more reasonable contract period and escalation that matches the country.

Seems pretty obvious and I’m sure people cleverer than me can negotiate the deal…otherwise no British GP.

Le Mans is probably more fun anyway.

regards
dave

By: Achilles

Achilles — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:37:29 +0000

I agree with some of the comments from Andy here, F1 is perceived to be a glamour sport, and Silverstone, on a GP weekend, with it’s legions of campervans, and tents, and it’s dated corporate buildings, hardly cuts it when it is compared to the richly adorned, government subsidised, Eastern circuits. I love going to Silverstone, walking in at dawn from the tent, watching the build-up, and the crowds! however, camping in Abu Dhabi may not be the image that the race authorities wish to promote, and probably not the kind of race goer they are looking for….maybe I can get a Gucci label on my six man, perhaps some Tag heure coolbags for the beer…..

By: GMac

GMac — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:35:31 +0000

Why shouldn’t Mr Ecclestone enable the British GP…
The facilities are more than adequate, the circuit a classic drivers favourite, the sport itself is a British success story, he himself is British & has made a fortune from it & it’s British heritage, British expertise & our enthusiasm amongst others. Some things (should) just go beyond money.

Well it is a Sunday

By: dj

dj — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:37:47 +0000

1st. the tracks start leaving ,now the big money teams are leaving…the old teams will make CVC bendover

By: Maurice

Maurice — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:59:03 +0000

I’d also add that this year’s Monza 3-day attendance figure was very poor prompting Luca’s comments about something being done to improve the show.