British GP faces final ultimatum

[ArrowsFA1]

The prospects of Britain holding on to its Formula One grand prix appeared slim last night despite positive noises coming out of Silverstone about local authority approval for the circuit's grand designs.

F1's commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, said the British Racing Drivers' Club had only months to commit to a new deal at the market rate or the British Grand Prix, which has until 2009 to run, would be no more.

Daily Telegraphy story

Farewell to the Australian, British...

[ShiftingGears]

It'd suck to have another circuit with history and relatively high lap speeds usurped by another characterless Middle Eastern/Asian track without flow. I hope this does not happen with Silverstone.

[Ranger]

Any bets on which race will get it's next death threat? :\

[millencolin]

Any bets on which race will get it's next death threat? :\

$10 says Canada

[Ranger]

$10 says Canada

Would make sense... Street circuit, somewhat poor live viewing, lack of grandstands... sounds pretty similar to Melbourne's situation.

But would Bernie erase the North American market completely? can he reeaalllllly be that stupid?? Right guys?? :\

[MAX_THRUST]

Howmany new fans are there in the middle east and far east, compared to those Australian and British/European fans. If you keep dropping those events the fan base in those countries is bound to dip. Can they be sure that the new countries have got that many people who even care about F1?

Its a risk but when your that rich and that old you'll be gone before it all back fires then it'll be someone elses problem.

[SGWilko]

Bernie only gets away with srewing everyone he meets for so much fecking money is because they let him....

If I were the BRDC, personally, I would not be too bovvered, one day, Bernie will keel over, probably from the stress of losing count - yet again - when totting up his gazillions.

When someone from this planet takes over, the 'home of Blitish Motorsport' will come back to the calendar.

Just gotta bide your time.

Either that, or have Bernie stand near a grassy knoll..........

[Whyzars]

Silverstone is my favourite race and I would be very disappointed if it was lost to the sport.

OT: Does Monte Carlo have its place on the calendar 'guaranteed' or is it subject to the same negotiation techniques at contract renewal time?

[woody2goody]

The fact that Silverstone is one of the best circuits to drive on the calendar makes this situation worse. Granted, the overtaking is fairly rare during the grands prix, but it would be a crying shame if it was axed.

[Rudy Tamasz]

Great news! Let's replace it with Sudan. They have oil there, limitation on advertising anything is zero and there's a strong Chinese presence. That's the ideal place for F1 in globalization era. Of course, Sudan doesn't have a racing heritage or knowledgeable fans, but that's secondary.