Silverstone ‘very positive’ about British GP future

Despite issuing a warning that Silverstone may be forced to drop the British GP, BRDC president Derek Warwick says he is “very positive” about retaining the race after talks with the British government.

The rising costs of hosting the grand prix have put the future of the British GP in jeopardy with the British Racing Drivers’ Club warning that having the race at the Northamptonshire circuit could have long term consequences.

As such BRDC chairman John Grant told the clubs’ 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.”

Warwick, though, is optimistic that Silverstone can retain the grand prix after positive talks with the British government to safeguard the race’s future.

“We are talking to the government to see if there is any help there,” he said at the Autosport International Show.

“I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel and I think we will have a grand prix past 2019. We are feeling very positive at the minute.”

He added: “We made a Christmas note to our members giving them an update on Silverstone and a lot of that then came out as the possibility of causing the break clause before the grand prix this year.

“Don’t worry: we 100 per cent have got a grand prix for the next three years, up until 2019.

“I’ve just got a feeling… we can’t do without the British GP, we can’t do without Silverstone, some compromise will be made, either with Bernie [Ecclestone] or the new people who are taking over F1, which is Liberty.

“We’ve had meetings with Liberty and [F1 chairman] Chase Carey. He understands our dilemma and we understand he has to make money because that’s what these guys are doing, but I just feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I think we will have a grand prix past 2019.”