SILVER DEAL’S ‘GONE BREXIT’
DAVID COULTHARD has likened Silverstone’s Formula One contract saga to Brexit and the Scottish Referendum.
The former race ace (below) is furious that the squabble has been played out so publicly and, particularly, in the build-up to British motorsport’s big day.
Coulthard said: “It’s the right of any business to enter a negotiation and for the buyer and seller to disagree and not want to do business.
“Just because it’s sport doesn’t mean something is going to happen magically.
“But I don’t see why it should be publicised on the weekend of the British Grand Prix, because I don’t see how it enhances Silverstone or Formula One and the fan experience.
“I’m a member of the BRDC [British Racing Drivers’ Club] and I’m not aware of the intimate details.
“So fans in the grandstands don’t need to be reading ‘Silverstone is giving up the Grand Prix’.
“What I want to see is a British Grand Prix at Silverstone and I hope and believe that will be the case after a renegotiation.
“But what I prefer not to see is this getting muddled up with what is a great celebration of British motorsport’s biggest weekend of the year.
“Fans and everyone else don’t need to be a part of that, it doesn’t need to muddy the waters.
“Because, a little bit like Scottish independence and a little bit like Brexit, giving people half of the information or less, and letting them take sides, is irresponsible.”
The BRDC, which owns Silverstone, confirmed, a fortnight ago, that they planned to activate a break clause in their contract with F1 owners Liberty Media before Friday’s deadline.
They did so on Tuesday, meaning the 2019 Grand Prix will be the last at the circuit – unless a new agreement can be reached. Coulthard is still hopeful that the two parties can thrash out terms on a new deal, but he knows there can be no room for emotion when the final decisions are made. He added: “If they can agree terms with the commercial rights holder, the British GP will be at Silverstone in 2020.
“But it they can’t, then we won’t have a British GP or maybe it will be at Donington Park or Brands Hatch.
“As a fan of the sport, I cannot imagine not having a British Grand Prix and I cannot imagine not having a British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which I truly believe is a world-class venue.
“The reality is that this is a negotiation point, in terms of hosting the Grand Prix under new terms, going forward.
“I hope and believe there will be a resolution.”
Channel 4 is the home of free-to-air Formula One in the UK with live coverage of 10 Grands Prix this season and highlights of every race weekend. Watch the British GP live on Channel 4 from 12pm today.