British Grand Prix to remain at Silverstone
December 8, 2009
A new deal will ensure that for at least the next seventeen years the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone. A dispute over upgrades at the track last year meant that Silverstone lost the rights to hold the race and the privilege was instead given to Donington Park. Unfortunately Donington was unable to secure the £135 million funding it needed to improve the track and the rights have since reverted to Silverstone.
Silverstone Circuits Limited has come to an agreement with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone. Richard Philips, managing director at Silverstone said that there has to be a British Grand Prix and that the new deal ensures that for the foreseeable future there will be. The British Grand Prix is the oldest on the Formula One calendar and has taken place each year at Silverstone since 1987. By the middle of March next year the new arena is expected to be completed and the paddock and pits are expected to be completed in time for the 2011 Grand Prix. Work is due to start after the Christmas break.
Damon Hill, president of the British Racing Drivers Club said that the news was extremely important for British racing. Bernie Ecclestone said that the new deal would mean that Britain would remain in its rightful place on the Formula One calendar and that he had always hoped that a solution would make sure of this. Silverstone say that they had continued to develop the venue even after it had been announced that Donington Park had been awarded the rights.
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