Jordan joy at British GP decision

Eddie Jordan declared himself “overjoyed” after the British Grand Prix was confirmed for the next five years.

Jordan’s team is based across the road from Silverstone and the Irishman was pleased with today’s confirmation that the race will remain on the calendar for the foreseeable future.

After months of sometimes bitter wrangling, Formula One’s commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone agreed a deal with the British Racing Drivers’ Club, who own the Northamptonshire circuit.

Jordan revealed the deal comes at a cost to team owners, who agreed to expand the calendar to 19 races to earn Silverstone a reprieve.

He told Sky Sports News: “The teams have agreed to do the race. It will cost us money to do it but I think it is a justified case, not just because most of the teams are based within that area but it’s important for our staff and the history of grand prix racing, so I’m overjoyed that this has happened.

“It’s important, not just for me personally, but also the people who have put so much into this for years.

“It is special and the emphasis is changing with grands prix in the centre of major cities, but the investment is guaranteed and we have to make sure the five years becomes a further five years.

Ecclestone has long criticised Silverstone’s facilities, with the venue for the first-ever world championship grand prix in dire need of a new pit complex as well as improvements to the spectator areas.

Jordan feels it is unfair to compare Silverstone to circuits such as Shanghai, which have benefited from vast sums of government money.

Ecclestone has come in for criticism over the Silverstone saga, with some questioning whether the multi-billionaire should have made more concessions to protect his home race, the oldest event on the calendar.

However, Jordan said: “I don’t think Formula One would be a credible sport without what he has done over the past 20 years."

The future of the French and San Marino grands prix is also secure as a result of the deal which allowed Silverstone to remain on the calendar.

Ecclestone needed to negotiate an expanded calendar to include Turkey next year and had earmarked France and Britain as the races to be struck off if no agreement was possible.

But with teams rallying to support Silverstone, tomorrow’s official calendar announcement from world governing body the FIA will include all three under-threat races.