Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart fears for the future of the British Grand Prix as Silverstone looks to quit
Silverstone has been the home of the British Grand Prix since 1987 and there is no other track capable of hosting such an event in the country
FORMULA ONE legend Sir Jackie Stewart fears for the future of the British Grand Prix if Silverstone quits as the host circuit.
The British Racing Drivers’ Club, who own the Northamptonshire track, may activate a break clause due to the “potentially ruinous” costs.
Three-time world champ Stewart, 77, a former BRDC president, said: “I think it’s a credible threat.
“Not impossible for it to happen? I would be very sad if it did. There’s no other race track that would be able to host the British Grand Prix.”
The BRDC has a contract with Formula One to host the British GP until 2026, but could activate the break clause before July’s event, which would then come into effect in 2019.
In a letter dated December 19, BRDC chairman, John Grant, expressed a wish to “preserve the BGP”.
But he told members: “The Board is considering whether we should give notice before the 2017 BGP (as required) of our intention to exercise the break clause in the contract at the end of 2019.
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“This is not a simple decision, and we will consider all the implications before coming to a conclusion by mid-year.”
Last year’s race, won by home favourite Lewis Hamilton, was attended by a total of 139,000 fans.
The BRDC claimed it lost money, with the race costing £2million to stage a year earlier. Silverstone has been home since 1987 and there have been prior rows with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone said: “If they want to activate a break clause, there is nothing we can do.
“Two other tracks have contacted us and we’re keen to keep a British Grand Prix. There is no doubt about it, we want to have one.
“As far as Silverstone is concerned, it’s not in our hands.”
Other ‘classic’ venues such as Spa in Belgium and Monza in Italy are also under threat, while organisers of the Malaysia GP say they will not renew their F1 deal when it expires in 2018.