The future for Silverstone as a F1 venue

[Mike Harte]

From comments being made by various members of the BRDC, British Racing Drivers Club and current owners of the race circuit, it seems as though they may well have invoked the termination clause, or will do within the next 7 days, to cease holding the race after 2019.

It would appear that neither the BRDC nor FOM will be publically announcing that the clause has been invoked until after this year's race, in 10 days time, to avoid embarrassment to either party.

Apparently, the new team at FOM will not start negotiating with the BRDC over the current terms of the contract until after the early termination clause is invoked, but that it is hoped that a satisfactory compromise will be forthcoming during the following 2 years.

Meanwhile, FOM is examining the possibility of a second race in the USA, and now also in China. However, we are losing Malaysia after this year, and both Singapore and the current Shanghai races are in doubt for next year as well.

[bauble]

As I understood it Mike, it is not possible to revise the existing contract, so the BRDC would have to invoke the cancellation clause, and then hope to negotiate a new contract with Liberty on more favourable terms. With the new owners making plain that they wish to retain the 'historic' circuits one assumes that a more acceptable deal would be on the table.

Should the sport lose the race that introduced the current World Championship in 1950, over money alone, then it would not bode well for the future of other traditional venues, and could we could end up with a pan US/Asia series. A horrendous thought.

[Mike Harte]

Bob, as even the worst lawyer in the world could tell you, if both parties to a contract want to re-negotiate the terms, then there is no court in the world that can stop them.

There is nothing preventing FOM sitting around the table to talk to the BRDC, except for the possible loss of income. And that's all they want; money.

[S griffin]

Let's hope Liberty come to their senses and give them a better deal than Bernie did, because to lose this great venue with history would be a travesty for all concerned

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Bob, as even the worst lawyer in the world could tell you, if both parties to a contract want to re-negotiate the terms, then there is no court in the world that can stop them.

There is nothing preventing FOM sitting around the table to talk to the BRDC, except for the possible loss of income. And that's all they want; money.

Mike, I hope you are not referring to my friend Ace.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Bob, as even the worst lawyer in the world could tell you, if both parties to a contract want to re-negotiate the terms, then there is no court in the world that can stop them.

There is nothing preventing FOM sitting around the table to talk to the BRDC, except for the possible loss of income. And that's all they want; money.

Bob, I couldn't possibly comment.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Let's hope Liberty come to their senses and give them a better deal than Bernie did, because to lose this great venue with history would be a travesty for all concerned

Liberty said traditional European GPs were key to F1's future.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/l...future-881346/

[ScotsBrutesFan]

But they also want City events, Liberty may play hardball, keep Silverstone at a cheaper price but include in a new contract that a promotional event (of a stipulated type and standard) has to be run in London ahead of the race weekend.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

But they also want City events, Liberty may play hardball, keep Silverstone at a cheaper price but include in a new contract that a promotional event (of a stipulated type and standard) has to be run in London ahead of the race weekend.

I don't think they will play hardball, that's what Bernie used to do. As they said in that article: "The origin of F1 is in France and England, so we're big believers in making sure places like Silverstone and the French track and the German are on the race calendars and are exciting events, which are beneficial to all the players."

[Mountain Man]

Given the way London played hardball over the start of the Tour De France (this years was supposed to be in London but they refused to pay the money the organisers wanted), I suspect its wishful thinking if F1 thinks they can get a city race at anything like the price of Silverstone. Silverstone has a lot more leverage here than people think.

[Akrapovic]

Street events eh. What's that place in the Midlands? Brummyham or something?

[Greem]

Talk in the news today of a suggestion that Liberty could themselves buy Silverstone off the BRDC.

It was in the Sun, though.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

This was mentioned in passing on Sky but wasn't specifically discussed.

[S griffin]

And I think Autosport reported it too. It wouldn't be a bad move, as Liberty seem to care more about the sport than the bottom line, so it would hopefully help secure the venue

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Greem

Talk in the news today of a suggestion that Liberty could themselves buy Silverstone off the BRDC.

It was in the Sun, though.

I dont much like the sound of that.

How much will ticket prices go up by? I am not too bothered about the F1 ticket prices, however I am bothered about other series that have to race there.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

But they also want City events, Liberty may play hardball, keep Silverstone at a cheaper price but include in a new contract that a promotional event (of a stipulated type and standard) has to be run in London ahead of the race weekend.

London didn't try to hard to keep FE did it though and that ticked all the emmision, pollution, air quality, climate boxes in one hit, so I can't see them breaking their backs to disrupt London with trying to create a GP track.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

London didn't try to hard to keep FE did it though and that ticked all the emmision, pollution, air quality, climate boxes in one hit, so I can't see them breaking their backs to disrupt London with trying to create a GP track.

Unfortunately Wandsworth BC dropped a clanger and breached their own planning regulations - that appears to be the undertone of the private legal case that took place, anyway, although it was all done privately and has remained so. It's a shame, because the events themselves were superb.

In other news, London will be disrupted tomorrow afternoon/evening by F1 anyway. A stage has gone up in Trafalgar Square and teams will be running cars nearby, some modern, some historic.

I'll try to get some photos, but it might be tricky because I'll be there in a marshalling capacity

[Greem]

I know it's not Silverstone but this is the nearest thread:

https://twitter.com/F1/status/884733077146042371

[ScotsBrutesFan]

BBC breaking news that the owners have confirmed that the break clause has been activated.

BBC Link. Apologies if this is Geolocked

On Autosport website as well.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I dont much like the sound of that.

How much will ticket prices go up by? I am not too bothered about the F1 ticket prices, however I am bothered about other series that have to race there.

Silverstone isn't exactly a bargain for any meeting is it? Certainly not when you take into account the awful view from spectator areas.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Silverstone isn't exactly a bargain for any meeting is it? Certainly not when you take into account the awful view from spectator areas.

Yet it still sells out. Must be something in that, mustn't there?

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Silverstone isn't exactly a bargain for any meeting is it? Certainly not when you take into account the awful view from spectator areas.

Well, i'm not sure how true it is, however I seem to recall a £5-10 price hike about 3 years ago for a lot of events, so quite how much other events subsidise the "loss making" F1 event is open to question.

And yes, the viewing is pretty poor all over. However I am appreciative of the photography holes in the fences. Even though they seem to be open at times then closed another, and also security enforced like a totalitarian state on one weekend, and then totally open season on another.

[S griffin]

I love the fact that the people who are in the sport are always enjoying the British GP and they are hopefully more than a little bit willing to keep the GP on the calendar for the next few years and more

[S griffin]

I just hope Liberty find a better deal than Bernie did, because an F1 season without the British GP would be a travesty

[Moneyseeker]

Why do we think Liberty are doing a London demo? This is a taster to see how the authorities, sponsors and fans take to London as a venue.

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