Silverstone's owners are determined to plough ahead with their own redevelopment plans for the Formula One circuit.
Plans are continuing despite the receipt of a joint venture proposal from two prominent businessman.
The British Racing Drivers Club, who own the Northamptonshire circuit, believe they are equipped to carry out the improvements required by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in order to secure the future of the British Grand Prix beyond the current contract, which ends in 2009.
The principal businessmen behind the partnership, Mike Rockall and Bill Archer, have promised "immediate funds" to redevelop the circuit and secure the independence of the BRDC.
But BRDC chairman Robert Brooks believes his organisation do not need any outside financial backing at this stage.
He said: "We, the BRDC, are very flattered to receive such a substantial offer, but it's one of many and we would reiterate that Silverstone is not for sale.
"We are pressing ahead for the redevelopment of Silverstone which is well down the line in the planning process.
"We are delighted with the help and assistance we are receiving from the local government authorities and the local community.
"Obviously, we will review any joint venture proposal but much further down the road as they may help us fulfil our future objectives."
The BRDC have plans for a £25million overhaul, which go before an EGM at the end of July for approval.
A planning application has already been submitted to the local council and the BRDC are hopeful of approval before the end of the year.
This year's British Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, with rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton carrying home hopes in the race having already established a 14-point lead in the drivers' championship.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Silverstone bosses hold course
The British Grand Prix Preview
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton firmly believes that he can win this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone - the first time he will ever race a Formula One car in front of his fellow countrymen.
That is despite Ferrari’s speed here in recent testing and sudden return to form in Magny-Cours - and in spite of all the scandal that has blown up following allegations that a senior McLaren engineer received stolen intellectual property from Ferrari and the ensuing suspension of that engineer.
Both of these factors will add to any pressure Hamilton feels racing at home, but he is convinced that he can join a long list of Britons who have won the British Grand Prix: Sir Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks, Peter Collins, Jim Clark, David Coulthard, Sir Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, John Watson, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert.
“You can’t win every race, and the most important thing is to be consistent, which I think we are,” he said after finishing third at Magny-Cours. “Both the Ferrari drivers said they made a good step forward, but when you are behind people, as we were in Magny-Cours, it’s a lot harder to show your true pace. I don’t think they were as quick, as much faster than us, as it looked today. Traffic and strategy had a lot to do with that, so I still think we can bounce back at Silverstone, without a doubt.
“I don’t think Ferrari’s sudden speed is worrying. It just shows they’ve made a great step forward and had a slightly better strategy than us. We were always on a three-stop strategy but what happened at the start affected that. After I had made my third pit stop I was a long way behind Felipe so there was no point in me wrenching the neck out of the engine trying to catch him. Throughout the race we were quite consistent on speed, but we need a little more. I am sure that we will make another improvement before Silverstone.
“To be honest, in France I was not disappointed. I don’t like to be overtaken, but that’s the same for everyone. But I was on the podium again and we are the most consistent team and I think we are doing a better job. I have extended my lead in the World Championship, so I couldn’t be happier.
“It is a great feeling to go to Silverstone as the World Championship leader. To do so certainly seemed unimaginable at the start of the season. I’m very, very happy with the job I’ve done and the team have done and I go into my first British GP with the team I always wanted to drive for, and that’s one of the greatest feelings a driver can have.”
After scoring his (and Honda’s) first point of the season, Jenson Button is also feeling a little more upbeat ahead of his home race. “Silverstone will be fun because I have a lot of friends and family coming and the fans treat you the same way even when things are tough. The fans at Silverstone have always been fantastic and there are four Brits to cheer on, so the lead-up will be hectic.”
David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson (in his first British Grand Prix) are both seeking points finishes for Red Bull and Super Aguri respectively, while BMW Sauber and Renault will re-engage their battle for third place overall as Williams look to do well on home ground, Toyota hope to reproduce the speed Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher displaced in the test here in June, and Toro Rosso hope their seamless shift gearbox will translate into Red Bull-matching lap times. With their factory just over the road from the circuit, Spyker would also like to take something good home from this one.
On paper, however, Ferrari are looking very strong. “We are back where we expect to be. You could feel the improvement in the car everywhere, really. In every corner,” Raikkonen said after his second win of the season, which brought the score to two apiece for the four leading contenders.
One thing that may well bring in a degree of uncertainty to the overall equation is the weather, with rain forecast for each day.
Monday, July 2, 2007
We made Ferrari look good says McLaren boss
Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa finished first and second respectively in Sunday's French Grand Prix and the Italian team have welcomed the result as a sign that recent technical upgrades have significantly improved their pace.
However, Dennis does not believe that Ferrari have gained a speed advantage over his team who will now look to reassert themselves in next weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
"We flattered them [Ferrari] this weekend," said Dennis. "They did a good job, and probably improved the car a little bit. But we made them look a lot better than they were. Hopefully, we will demonstrate that at Silverstone."
McLaren never found the ideal set-up for the idiosyncrasies of the Magny-Cours circuit and were also hindered by Spaniard Fernando Alonso starting tenth on the grid after suffering a gearbox problem in qualifying.
Alonso could only recover to finish seventh and his British rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton finished third, half a minute behind the Ferraris.
But as Hamilton remains top of the driver's championship and McLaren are 25 points clear in the constructor's standings, Dennis is not too disheartened by Ferrari's French dominance.
"Overall, it was damage limitation from beginning to end," he said, reflecting on the weekend's events.
"Obviously we're delighted that Kimi won over Massa. It means he is only a couple of points closer to Lewis, and didn't close the gap that much, even on Fernando.
"If this is going to be our worst race then we'll be comfortable with that. And if we hadn't had such good races before, we wouldn't be where we are in the world championship. So we've got to put it down to the fact you can't win every race, and this is one we didn't win.
"But we've won here previously, and there is no reason that we can't win at Silverstone. You know, as history has shown, when you have got a good lead in the world championship, you have got to be pragmatic about your races.
"Lewis did a really solid job at finishing third. It's his eighth podium position, and there is no luck that gives you that sort of result. For me, I loved Fernando's fight; I think he was fighting from beginning to end, and he got the most out of a difficult situation. And that's motor racing."
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Hamilton 'could save British GP'
Silverstone, which is owned by the BRDC, could lose the right to host the event after its contract runs out in 2009 unless the venue is modernised.
"Members like Lewis are only helping us," said BRDC chairman Robert Brooks.
"The Hamilton factor is very positive and helpful in keeping the British Grand Prix."
Silverstone has the contract to host the event until 2009 but F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has expressed his desire to see facilities improved at the ageing track.
The BRDC are working on a plan to redevelop the site and secure the future of the Grand Prix.
"We are in the advanced stages of applying for planning permission for Silverstone, then we will look to agree a new contract with Formula One," added Brooks.
"We will do all we can to retain the British Grand Prix."
Hamilton has had a superb start to his F1 career and currently leads the drivers' championship after claiming successive victories in Canada and at the US Grand Prix.
And Brooks says he is looking forward to the 22-year-old returning to Silverstone for the British GP on 8 July.
"It's the first time for many years we've had a British driver who looks favourite to win the race," added Brooks.
"Silverstone is home for Lewis Hamilton. He is a member of the BRDC and it has been the site of many of his great races.
"It is also where Lewis made one of the most spectacular overtaking manoeuvres and he knows it like the back of his hand.
"It is great for British motorsport."