Ecclestone: Silverstone should stop complaining

Bernie Ecclestone believes the BRDC should stop complaining about the cost of hosting the British GP at Silverstone as he doesn’t see why they can’t make it work.

Silverstone’s place on the calendar is once again under threat after the British Racing Drivers’ Club warned of long-term damage to the Northamptonshire track because of the cost of the grand prix.

Chairman John Grant revealed in a letter to the BRDC members that the “board is considering whether we should give notice before the 2017 British Grand Prix (as required) of our intention to exercise the break clause in the contract at the end of 2019.”

Ecclestone, though, have little sympathy for Silverstone’s plight.

The F1 supremo told Sportsmail: “I don’t see why they can’t make it work. They get bigger crowds than anywhere else in Europe, and nobody else is complaining.”

In a separate interview with ITV News, the 86-year-old revealed that other tracks had already expressed an interest in hosting the British GP should Silverstone opt out.

“If they want to activate a break clause, there is nothing we can do,” he said.

“Two other tracks have contacted us and we are keen to keep a British Grand Prix, there is no doubt about it, we want to have one. As far as Silverstone is concerned, it’s not in our hands.”

Silverstone has been the sole host of the British Grand Prix since 1987 with races also taking place at Brands Hatch and Aintree prior to that.