What happens to Silverstone now?

[doug911]

So......now that Donnington has bitten the dust what happens to Silverstone? Assuming the GP returns are we going to see a fantastic transformation with the pits moving down to the Hanger straight as per their original plans or is it just going to be a lick of paint and some new signage?

It would be nice to see some serious investment now....come on Bernie get your hand in your pocket

[Tim the Grey]

ROTFLMAO! Bernie doesn't PAY people, they pay him...
All the traffic will bear.

[doug911]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

ROTFLMAO! Bernie doesn't PAY people, they pay him...
All the traffic will bear.

I was thinking he might do a deal that will allow Silverstone to invest more in the circuit.....which would mean taking less cash.

[Marbot]

Bernie said that Silverstone would get the same deal that Donington had if the Donington plans fell through.

[Mr V]

As i understand it, the BRDC have plans (and cash?) in place to do the upgrades Bernie is asking for.

But Silverstone we're in a catch 22 situation, without the GP (and no Bernie to keep happy) they don't need to do the upgrades, if the GP goes there instead of Donington, it's too late for the 2010 race.

[Ubique]

My bet is Silverstone will do nothing and see what Bernie says as their plans for an F1 upgrade and those for the Moto GP upgrade are not compatible so they will be upsetting one series or the other.

[stark]

My understanding is that the BRDC have long term investment plans, but without the security of a long term deal with F1, cannot get the green light.

Long term deal = multiple years of fiancial income = secure loans etc.

And I'm guessing the upgrades will be phased over a number of years, so even if they'd been given the race for 2010, not all the work would be complete for next years race.

I had a lot of sympathy for the Donnington project, but now I'm questioning how at such a high level of organisation / sport / whatever does Bernie & co agree to something without seeing the finance first? Its easy to say this from my point of view, but if I was Bernie I'd never have announced Donnington publically until I'd seen proof that it would happen. Plans and promises are one thing between us mere mortals, but to publically agree and promote (to a degree) a new venue of an international sport event without much more than a 'scheme' in place is crazy. I suppose it just makes Donnington look stupid, but surely it questions Bernie's judgement?

(Obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing).

[kartracer41]

Originally Posted by stark

My understanding is that the BRDC have long term investment plans, but without the security of a long term deal with F1, cannot get the green light.

Long term deal = multiple years of fiancial income = secure loans etc.

And I'm guessing the upgrades will be phased over a number of years, so even if they'd been given the race for 2010, not all the work would be complete for next years race.

I had a lot of sympathy for the Donnington project, but now I'm questioning how at such a high level of organisation / sport / whatever does Bernie & co agree to something without seeing the finance first? Its easy to say this from my point of view, but if I was Bernie I'd never have announced Donnington publically until I'd seen proof that it would happen. Plans and promises are one thing between us mere mortals, but to publically agree and promote (to a degree) a new venue of an international sport event without much more than a 'scheme' in place is crazy. I suppose it just makes Donnington look stupid, but surely it questions Bernie's judgement?

(Obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing).

Valid points. I don't think Bernie cares about how he looks for the moment. When it's done, people will have forgotten that he allowed this to happen, as he will look like the hero, by saving the British GP, and have gotten what he wants, with Silverstone, on his terms.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by doug911

So......now that Donnington has bitten the dust what happens to Silverstone?

They start printing tickets..

[Yannick]

There are several possible scenarios:

1) Silverstone signs a one-year replacement deal for 2010 at a reduced rate.
Since they have signed with MotoGP, the circuit will be upgraded anyway.
Bernie says it's OK, but could be better and offers them a longterm deal for
2011 onwards that is not near as affordable as the one-off deal.
Then, they negotiate.
1a) They cannot agree. Bernie moves the GP elsewhere for 2011 even if
just for a one-off - to have an even better position in negotiating with
BRDC for 2012.
1b) They agree and Bernie gets the money.

2) Silverstone does agree on a one-year replacement deal because they want a longterm contract. They want it cheaper than Bernie, obviously and the negotiations fall through. There would be no British GP in 2010 then, but negotiations fall through. Negotiations start again later in the year for the 2011 race. Then goto 1a) or 1b).

3) They agree on a longterm contract and Bernie gets the money. This may be cheaper for Silverstone than option 1b)

[doug911]

Not looking good

Here we go again....

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79728

[Born Racer]

Do we need a British Grand Prix? No.

We've heard this tactic before. If we don't need a British Grand Prix, then we don't need any single Grand Prix you could pick out.

[Fox89]

What ever happened to: "There will definitely be a British Grand Prix next year, be it at Donnington or Silverstone" ~ Bernie Ecclestone.

Come on Bernie, do a cheap one year deal so we can have our awesome calender then discuss a more lucrative long term deal for 2011. Stop being such a spoil sport!

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Fox89

What ever happened to: "There will definitely be a British Grand Prix next year, be it at Donnington or Silverstone" ~ Bernie Ecclestone.

That was just Bernie being Bernie.

Originally Posted by Fox89

Come on Bernie, do a cheap one year deal so we can have our awesome calender then discuss a more lucrative long term deal for 2011. Stop being such a spoil sport!

A "cheap one year deal" is not what Silverstone are after.A "cheap one year deal" may well see some other 'Get rich fast Geezer' having another shot at trying to move the British GP to somewhere it doesn't belong.

[Ubique]

Lets all remember that it was Silverstone not accepting the contract Bernie offered them that led to the GP being given to Donington. The BRDC thought then that they could play hard ball with Bernie and lost and now they are trying it again although admittedly with a slightly better position as there is no other British Circuit who can run the GP now.

[strider]

Originally Posted by Ubique

Lets all remember that it was Silverstone not accepting the contract Bernie offered them that led to the GP being given to Donington. The BRDC thought then that they could play hard ball with Bernie and lost and now they are trying it again although admittedly with a slightly better position as there is no other British Circuit who can run the GP now.

The trouble is that although Bernie may say that he wants there to be a British Grand Prix, commercially he doesn't care, because he can get just as much money by going to some new country without any of the tradition, heritage and large, enthusiastic crowds that Silverstone offers.

The two sides are said to have been talking for a while, ever since even Bernie could see that the Donington deal was going nowhere. I hope they are both being realistic.

[Ubique]

Originally Posted by strider

The trouble is that although Bernie may say that he wants there to be a British Grand Prix, commercially he doesn't care, because he can get just as much money by going to some new country without any of the tradition, heritage and large, enthusiastic crowds that Silverstone offers.

The two sides are said to have been talking for a while, ever since even Bernie could see that the Donington deal was going nowhere. I hope they are both being realistic.

I agree mate but can you see either Bernie or the BRDC being realistic? We all know Bernie won't want to look weak as it will affect his negotiations with other circuits and that the BRDC just want to rub Bernies face in it after he snubbed them so publicaly.

[Rockfan]

I live to Silverstone, and I think Silverstone should tell Bernie to take a Hike.

They have the MotoGP.

F1 had them put the new roads system in, then runs away because they don't do what Bernie wants. He should be asked to pay for those roads systems, before asking Silverstone to improve to the empty style tarcks around the world.

Enjoy empty race tracks around the world guys. F1 won't be in UK and thats what Bernie wanted all along.

[dtb]

'orrible little man!

[Alpha Charlie 6]

1. I understand that the race will be called the EUROPEAN GP . Has anyone else heard this? This lets both Silverstone and Bernie off the hook as regards a long contract.... for the time being.

2, With regards to the roads system... this was actually paid for by Bernie.

Bernie gave the BRDC money to do some upgrades to the circuit facilities
and they saw fit to use it outside on those new roads... It is no wonder Bernie does not trust Jackie Stewart.

[Rockfan]

What you are telling me that Bernie stumped up this amount of money.

Work on the £56m dual carriageway on the A43 in Northamptonshire.

I don't think so.

[Tim the Grey]

Northants County Council paid for them...
Since when has Bernie paid rates in Northants???

Get rid of the Poisoned Dwarf. The world will be a better place! Especially now his Partner in Crime has been deposed.

Let's get back to sensible Formula One, in sensible places, at sensible prices. Let the glamourpusses take their fashion show where they will.

[numbersix]

Object: SIR Bernie.
Plan: Create artificial crisis - GB losing GP.
'Save' crisis with last minute deal.
Object achieved.
(Only the fans won't spell SIR quite the same way.)

[Toads]

Originally Posted by numbersix

Object: SIR Bernie.
Plan: Create artificial crisis - GB losing GP.
'Save' crisis with last minute deal.
Object achieved.
(Only the fans won't spell SIR quite the same way.)

Agreed, another hyped up topic by Bernie just to keep off season gossip running hot.

[Alpha Charlie 6]

Rockfan and Tim... you are looking to far afield... the road involved is that from the A43 down to the circuit gates... and has something to do with a condition in the planning permission... Look a little deeper and you will find!!