Hill: 'Sense will prevail' on Silverstone

Damon Hill is confident “sense will prevail” over the future of the British Grand Prix.

The 1996 Formula One world champion and current British Racing Drivers’ Club president is determined to ensure the race remains at Silverstone after the current F1 deal expires in 2009.

“I am confident it will be there [on the calendar in 2010],” Hill told Crash.net Radio.

“I think everyone wants it – Formula One wants it. Sense will prevail and we will go forward.”

Hill believes the sensational rise of Lewis Hamilton could not have been better timed as far as guaranteeing the event’s future is concerned.

He said: “Silverstone is a great historical venue and there is a tremendous amount of support for motor racing.

“Now that we have got a real world title contender, in Lewis Hamilton, Silverstone is a good venue for the grand prix so that people can come and celebrate British sporting success.”

Hill is working on a “masterplan” to redevelop the Northamptonshire circuit, which should help appease F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who has repeatedly threatened to axe the race from the calendar.

“These things don’t happen quickly though,” Hill explained.

“It is like anything. With the planning permission, there has to be satisfaction and people have to be convinced. They have to be involved in the discussions and the decision making too and that is happening.

“We are now going to hopefully get planning permission to develop a new pit-paddock complex and at the very least upgrade Silverstone, so that it is always at the top end of facilities.”

As for a timescale, Hill said: “It will happen gradually over the grand prix - and past the coming British GP up until the end of this year.

“We will see progress made. There already is progress and a good feeling amongst the members that it is going in the right direction.

“But inevitably they do have a say and they will want to make sure we are doing the right thing.

“We cannot be putting the assets of Silverstone at risk, because other things happen at Silverstone other than the grand prix.

“There are other motor races that take place and it employs many people at Silverstone – there are nearly 200 odd people employed around Silverstone and many more beyond that.

“So, it has got other things other than the grand prix, although the grand prix is clearly a major ingredient and something historic that we want to keep.”

Reacting to recent reports that there will be no Government funding to help secure the British GP, Hill insisted: “It is not a blow at all. They have provided funding to develop the road network around Silverstone. We have had good help from the Government over the years and they have done what they can to keep the British GP.

“Sports minister Richard Caborn came up and endorsed our plan to develop Silverstone [in March]. We have in place some very diligent and professional people working on the development programme in the commercial department of Silverstone. So, it is all in hand and under way and I think it should go smoothly.”

Hill accepted Ecclestone had every right to put pressure on him.

“I have a great deal of respect for Bernie. He is a genius at what he does,” Hill said.

“Sometimes he doesn’t help, it is fair to say, and his style does make some people nervous.

“But we need to put what’s happened in the past behind us. The BRDC wants to move on. He has seen the plans and now he wants to see action.”