Formula One news
No 'special deal' for Brit GP - Bernie
01 October 2004Sir Jackie Stewart has turned his ire to the British government in a last gasp plea to save the Formula One race from Bernie Ecclestone's axe. The triple world champion said: "Where is the delivery of sport minister Richard Caborn's promise (in July 2003) for the government 'to put its money where its mouth is'?"
65-year-old Stewart, who is president of the track-owning British Racing Drivers' Club, said Britain is one of the only countries on the F1 calendar that does not have financial government support. He added: "Even at this late stage we would ask (the government) to think again and see if we can retain the grand prix for the sake of the industry, sport and the country."
For his part, Ecclestone - F1 impresario and author of the annual calendar - resisted calls for a special deal for the historic event.
1996 world champion Damon Hill said Ferrari has a 'special status' among the F1 teams, so the British Grand Prix should get the 'same standing' because of its history. "I offered Silverstone a really super deal and it would have be the cheapest race in the world," said Bernie, the 73-year-old. "(But) they don't want to take a risk."
The loss of the British GP, first staged in 1950 and won by Italian champion Nino Farina in an Alfa Romeo, will be confirmed by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on October 13. "They haven't lost it yet," said Bernie, "but probably will."
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