Silverstone confident of keeping British GP beyond 2019

Silverstone is contracted to host the British GP until 2026 but an ITV News report this month claimed the BRDC, responsible for maintaining and operating Silverstone, was considering activating a break clause that would come into effect after the 2019 race.

Published : Jan 14, 2017 09:14 IST

The F1 podium for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The F1 podium for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
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The F1 podium for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Silverstone will remain the home of Formula One's British Grand Prix beyond 2019, according to British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) president Derek Warwick.

The circuit is contracted to host the British GP until 2026 but an ITV News report this month claimed the BRDC, responsible for maintaining and operating Silverstone, was considering activating a break clause that would come into effect after the 2019 race.

However, Warwick is confident the event will remain where it is beyond the next three seasons.

"We sent a Christmas note to our members giving them an update of Silverstone," Warwick said at Autosport International.

"A lot of that came out as [there was] the possibility of activating the break clause before the Grand Prix this year to break the clause for 2019.

"Don't worry, we 100 per cent have it for next three years, up until 2019.

"I have just got a feeling that we can't do without the British Grand Prix, we can't do without Silverstone, so some compromise will be made, either with Bernie [Ecclestone] or the new people that are now taking over, which is Liberty [Media].

"There is light at the end of the tunnel, we will have Grand Prix past 2019."

Warwick admitted Silverstone needs investment and revealed potential government assistance is being sought.

"We are feeling very positive at the minute. There is a lot of good things happening at Silverstone like World Rallycross, MotoGP, WEC, British Superbikes and Classic," he said.

"Of course we're a bit short of cash. We would like to resurface the circuit and so on. We're talking to government to see if there is any help there."

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