BRITISH GRAND PRIX SHOCK
BRITISH Formula One fans have been rocked by the news that they could be left without a home grand prix.
Cash-strapped Silverstone bosses have confirmed they will exercise a break clause in their current deal, which will see races end in 2019.
Thousands of die-hard fans will descend on the Northamptonshire circuit this weekend to watch Lewis Hamilton do battle with Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, with millions more tuning in at home.
But the spiralling cost of hosting the race means The British Racing Drivers’ Club, Silverstone’s bosses, will announce their intention to walk away from their 17-year contract.
The BRDC, which has until Sunday’s race to activate the clause, will do so in the hope of brokering a more financially-viable deal.
Formula One’s new owners Liberty Media have staged talks with both the BRDC and Silverstone.
But while Silverstone wants to continue its relationship with the sport, it will not do so at the cost of financial ruin.
The circuit, unlike many other tracks on the F1 calendar, receives no government backing.
And it remains to be seen if Liberty Media are willing to risk losing an event that has been an ever-present grand prix for nearly 70 years.
Circuit chiefs agreed a long-term contract with the sport’s former supremo Bernie Ecclestone to continue its association with the British Grand Prix in 2010.
Target
And nearly 140,000 spectators watched home favourite Hamilton claim his third consecutive win at Silverstone last year.
However, the demands of the hosting fee, which goes up by five per cent every year – from £12m in 2010 to £17m this season and £26m in 2026 – is crippling the circuit. Meanwhile, Bottas insists his championship charge has come as no surprise to him.
The Finn’s victory at the Austrian Grand Prix last Sunday moved him to within 15 points of team-mate Hamilton and 35 of championship leader Vettel.
“Since the day I signed with Mercedes, what else can you put as a target? It’s always been the target but I don’t want to shout about it too much,” he said of his title ambitions.
“It’s still early days, more than 50 per cent to go, a massive amount of points to get.
“I’m developing so much every single race and feel like I’m really getting better all the time. It’s a long year ahead but, for sure, I’m in the championship fight.”