Ecclestone hopes British GP has a future

Bernie Ecclestone insists he is determined to preserve the British Grand Prix and hopes former Silverstone hero Damon Hill can help secure the race’s long-term future.

Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial rights holder, has been a fierce critic of Silverstone in recent years, urging his home track to improve facilities and match the best in the world.

Significant progress has been made at the Northamptonshire venue over the past five years but a major overhaul of paddock facilities is still required.

Ecclestone met with Hill, the new president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, in Monaco last weekend and hopes the new regime can secure a viable future for Formula One at Silverstone.

Outgoing president Sir Jackie Stewart warned Britain’s race will be threatened when the current Formula One deal expires in 2009 unless improvements are made and Ecclestone admitted that fear remains.

He said: “Nothing has changed. We will try and change it now but it has not changed at the moment. I can deal with Damon easy – we’ll see what happens.

“They have got a new board of people now so maybe they will do something.

“We want to keep the British Grand Prix and we’ll see if we can make it happen.”

Ecclestone could yet be part of the solution for Silverstone, even though he admits initial claims of a rescue deal are off the mark.

As part of a BRDC power struggle, rebel member Harry Stiller claimed he had a deal with Ecclestone to split the cost of Silverstone’s redevelopment and promotion of the British Grand Prix.

Little has come of that claim after Stiller lost his bid to unseat the BRDC board and Ecclestone has admitted the deal has no future.

He said: “There are so many suggestions and really it’s what is possible to do that’s important. I don’t think that what’s been proposed is possible.”