Save our Silverstone.

SOS
By Phil Giles
July 9 2003

Chairman of the BRDC Martin Brundle has publicly had a go at ex F1 racing drivers Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell for not stepping in and speaking up for Silverstone after the Northamptonshire circuit came under fire from F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone who called the circuit "Third World".

Bernie has got it into his head that the circuit isn't fit enough to host a round of the World Championship.  The promised upgrades to the track and F1 paddock facilities haven't materialised although the new car parks and entry roads in have made a big difference.

Anyway, getting back to the reason for writing this.  It seems to me that Martin perhaps hit out at the wrong people.  Jim Rosenthal from ITV-F1 said at the end of the French GP coverage that it's a case of "SOS.  Save our Silverstone".  If Bernie has got it in for Silverstone, there is only one group of people who will make a difference and those people are the team principals.  With six out of the ten F1 teams being based in the UK surely the team bosses can make a difference.  If the FIA are looking to save costs then why increase costs by making teams go to Barcelona to test when there is great circuit slap bang on their doorstep.

Will the gang of six make a difference?  If Bernie is determined to see off Silverstone do the bosses agree?  Are they happy to loose Silverstone?  Are they happy to see the British Grand Prix loose its place on the calendar to Argentina?  I seriously hope that it's the last thing that they want.  And how would the British F1 fans feel about loosing perhaps their only chance to see an F1 wheel turned in anger?  Hear the roar of the engines and the smell of the octane?  It would be a criminal act to remove the biggest and best sporting event from the UK.

We've asked Silverstone's next door neighbour to perhaps provide us with a comment on how the loss of the circuit would affect the team.  After all, if there's no British GP, there's no circuit for them to test at in the UK.  Would the team up and leave the UK?  Would they take the talent with them?  Would they instead hire local talent wherever they settled?

Frank Williams has backed the circuit saying "The British Grand Prix has been around for many, many years. Silverstone is a great circuit and it's getting better and better road connections now.  I believe strongly that it has a rightful place in the world championship." 

Where are the rest of the team bosses and the UK motorsport industry as a whole?  If Jordan does make a comment, we'll let you know but don't hold your breath!