F1: Caborn calls for Silverstone to keep F1 race

British Sports Minister Richard Caborn has thrown his weight behind efforts to ensure that Silverstone is not stripped of the British Grand Prix.

Motor racing chiefs are to make a decision tomorrow on whether to stick with Silverstone following traffic problems for fans during the last two years.

Caborn has held several meetings this week with interested parties, including one with FIA president Max Mosley yesterday where he offered reassurances that the Government would keep a close eye on a £60m programme of improvements, including an initial £10.6m brought forward to resolve the problems before next year’s event.

The Sports Minister said: ‘‘I have had a series of meetings this week to reassure people that the investment has been put in place to make sure we resolve the traffic problems at Silverstone.

‘‘I will be keeping an eye on all this with monthly reports from the construction companies about their progress.

‘‘It is very important that we have the event in this country, otherwise there would be a severe impact on the industry.

‘‘Something like seven out of the top 11 racing teams are here in England and the spin-off from that is tremendous.’’

Caborn also met Sir Jackie Stewart, chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, one of three parties involved in the Silverstone improvements, and will have a follow-up meeting in the new year to discuss the future of the motor racing industry in Britain.

Former driver Martin Brundle added his own words to those of Caborn in backing the event to continue in Britain.

Brundle, now an F1 commentator for ITV, told www.autosport.com: ‘‘If there is no Grand Prix, the whole thing falls over and how do we sell that to the Government?’’

Brundle added: ‘‘After the problems in 2000, the uncertainty over 2001 and then no British GP next year, who would buy into that?

‘‘The whole thing then falls like a pack of cards,’’ added Brundle, a member of the BRDC who are hoping for Government help with Silverstone.

The move to downgrade the British Grand Prix will be discussed by the World Council of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

If Silverstone is downgraded the top teams and drivers would be under no obligation to race there and that could prompt a move to replace Silverstone on the 17-race FIA calendar.

Earlier this week, Octagon Motorsports, the promoters of the British F1 Grand Prix, announced a £10.6m investment in improving traffic flow and car parking at the Northamptonshire circuit in a bid to convince the FIA not to take the event off them.

Their plans include improving access roads, circuit entrances and car parking, as well as introducing a park and ride scheme.

A Silverstone bypass is currently under construction and Octagon plan to add to existing lanes around the circuit to improve the flow of traffic to and from the bypass.