Duo back Silverstone

Silverstone was today backed to host the British Grand Prix for the foreseeable future by two of Formula One’s biggest names.

The Northamptonshire track is yet again under pressure to comply with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s demands and faces losing its race next season.

With 19 races initially pencilled in for 2005, many within the sport expect at least one if not two traditional European venues to fall by the wayside, with Silverstone top of that list.

Track owners the British Racing Drivers’ Club have offered to promote the event for the next two years but cannot afford Ecclestone’s asking price.

But Sir Frank Williams and Ron Dennis, two of Formula One’s most successful team owners, urged Ecclestone to think twice before ditching the venue of the first world championship grand prix.

Williams said: “I hope he gets a great deal of flak from all the British-based teams if he decides to drop Silverstone.

“I know that Silverstone can’t afford the current rate that some of the European races pay. We do care about Silverstone, it is a traditional venue.”

The Concorde Agreement, which governs Formula One, includes a clause which limits races to 17, forcing Ecclestone to stump up extra cash this year to expand beyond with the addition of China and Bahrain.

Williams added: “The cynics believe that since Bernie pays a substantial fee to have that extra tobacco-sponsored race to the 10 teams he would not be happy to do that again next year so he may find it convenient to drop two races.”

Such is the opposition to a Silverstone-free calendar, the prospect of a boycott was raised by some in the paddock.

Dennis claims it would be grossly unfair on the seven squads with bases in England if they were deprived a home race but Williams dismissed the thought of a revenge action by teams.

“I can’t speak for the real strength of feeling except for one or two teams, but I would imagine there would be strong feelings,” he said.

“Whether that would manifest or not, I don’t know, but a boycott is not likely because there are so many commercial strings and, with Bernie involved, you cannot just say ’right, sorry, we’re upset so we are not going to perform’. It’s a tricky business.”