Silverstone disappointed to lose GP

[Sash]

The Silverstone authorities have expressed their disappointment at the FIA's announcement that the British Grand Prix will switch to Donington Park from 2010.

Silverstone's owner the British Racing Drivers' Club had recently announced plans for a massive redevelopment programme that it hoped would safeguard its position on the Formula 1 calendar, but was taken aback by the news that the race was going elsewhere after next season.

Track officials said they were keen to talk to Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management organisation to see where today's announcement left their negotiations over the race's future.

"Silverstone Circuits Limited and the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) would like to express our disappointment at the announcement released by the FIA today concerning the future of the British Grand Prix," said a statement from the circuit.

"The BRDC and Silverstone Circuits Limited are considering our position following in-depth and on-going contract negotiations with FOM.

"We shall release a statement once the full facts of this announcement have been established with both FOM and the FIA."

Silverstone added that the timing of the announcement had come as a real blow.

"It is particularly disappointing to receive this information during the course of the British Grand Prix weekend, while we are celebrating 60 years of Silverstone and 80 years of the BRDC," said the statement.

"The incredible staff here at Silverstone will continue to make this year's sell-out event a resounding success for the fans."


Silverstone disappointed to lose GP - F1 | ITV Sport

[meow]

I wonder how much money changed hands to pull that off ?

[Puratech]

Silverstone was kinda due renovations, theyve been talking about moving the F1 away for years now.

No idea how Donnington or Brands compare though.

[teflon]

I don't think you can do F1 at Brands Hatch any more, it's too twisty and up and downhill.
Donnington is a fast smooth track and supposedly it's the transport links and logistics stuff like that which make it more suitable for modern F1 than SS.
Silverstone peeps were being warned for a couple of years that they were failing FIA protocols, so it's no real surprise. What is surprising to me is that Donnington is actually capable of hosting, so hats off to them for keeping a Grand Prix in Britain.

No doubt SS will upgrade because of this, MotoGP and things like that will keep the monies rolling in and it can hopefully come back to F1 eventually, perhaps as guest host of the European Grand Prix and if that works out, reinstated as the British GP venue.

Anyone who has played all the racing computer games knows how brilliant a track it is, and how historically significant it has been. Donnington GPs will be fun though.