Silverstone reassured by Bernie U-turn

Date published : 22 Jun 2009 - 16:36:20

Silverstone s managing director Richard Phillips says he has been encouraged by the indications from Formula 1's powers-that-be that the Northamptonshire circuit might hold on to the British Grand Prix for another year.

This year's race was Silverstone s last under its current contract with Formula One Management, with Bernie Ecclestone having signed a long-term deal with Donington Park to host the event from 2010.

Ecclestone had previously insisted that F1 would not return to Silverstone even if Donington failed to complete its revamp in time for next year s race, but last weekend the FOM boss back-tracked and said Silverstone was being put on standby.

Phillips has welcomed Ecclestone s volte face and comments from FIA president Max Mosley suggesting it was highly probable Silverstone would stage next year s British GP. We have the best fans in the world and I sincerely hope to see them back at Silverstone next year, said Phillips. There have been growing concerns over Donington Park s ability to host the British Grand Prix, in 2010 and beyond, but comments over the weekend from Mr Ecclestone and the FIA have been reassuring.

The support from fans over this weekend has undoubtedly had an impact on the way they are viewing the future of the British Grand Prix and Silverstone. We ve said all along that Silverstone is ready to step in if Donington s plans fall over, and that remains the case.

Silverstone has never looked so good. This year s British Grand Prix was phenomenal, one of the best run and well- supported events I have ever worked on, and we re hopeful that we ll see everyone back here next year. After criticism of the sparse crowds at the Turkish GP, some 310,000 fans filed through the gates at Silverstone over the three-day meeting the highest total in 15 years while a capacity crowd of 120,000 watched Sunday s race.Numerous drivers also said how much they enjoyed the challenging high-speed circuit and appreciated the support of the crowd.Phillips reckons the success of last weekend s race underlined why Silverstone has the strongest claim to being the home of the British GP.

The support for Silverstone and the British Grand Prix over the past three days from fans, drivers and teams has been overwhelming, he said. The fans have a real affinity with Silverstone and the drivers love coming here. It s a fantastic circuit. You just have to look at the attendance figures over the past three days, and Sebastian Vettel s reaction to winning here, to see that Silverstone is a very special place. Speaking after the race about Silverstone and the future of the British Grand Prix, world championship leader Jenson Button commented: We ve all spoken without saying a word. The last couple of races have not had many people, so to come here and see all these spectators we don t need to say anything. This grand prix is the most spectacular in F1. Monaco is special, but it is nothing like this. There has to be a GP here next year.