Biannual British GP plan rejected

14 April 2012

The British Racing Drivers' Club have rejected a proposal from Bernie Ecclestone to stage the British Grand Prix in alternate years.

Ecclestone, Formula One's commercial rights holder, recently put forward the idea that the Silverstone event share its place on the calendar with the French race at Magny Cours.

But BRDC chairman Stuart Rolt stated: "We said it doesn't work for us.

"We were unable to see how a grand prix every second year works financially - we have to keep the place in a suitable condition for a grand prix - and in terms of staffing.

"You may be able to let some staff go temporarily and hire them back, but that's a difficult way to run a business."

With a contract for the next three years, the British Grand Prix is secure for now, but beyond 2009 is open to conjecture.

Silverstone still requires a £30million modernisation plan to bring it into line with more modern circuits such as those in Shanghai, Malaysia, Bahrain and Turkey.

From 2010 there is the likelihood of grands prix being staged in either India, South Korea or Russia, putting further pressure on European races such as those in Britain and France.

Without Government funding, Silverstone will struggle to implement the improvements deemed necessary by Ecclestone, placing it on the 'at-risk' list yet again beyond 2009.

"I really can't reassure them (the fans) after 2009," Rolt told The Times.

"To me there is a danger that we cannot, or we are somehow unable to, find a way to fund the improvements.

"Or there may be a point where the amount of money we have to pay for hosting the grand prix becomes untenable."

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