Formula One news

Hill: Silverstone ready for British GP

Damon Hill is keen to see a venue found for the British Grand Prix after F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone doubted Donington Park's abilities to host the race this week. With the event set to stay at Silverstone, the head of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) is ready to finalise a deal.

With Leicestershire's Donington having dropped behind with construction work and several deadlines having been extended by Ecclestone already, Northamptonshire's Silverstone looks the most likely candidate for hosting venue after Ecclestone tipped it for a new 17-year contract.

Ecclestone does not believe Donington has enough time left for development

"As things stand we're waiting in the wings and we would very much like to provide a venue for the British Grand Prix," 1996 Champion Hill, now BRDC President, told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We think we're the right place for it; we're ready to go but, as yet, we've not seen a contract which is a sustainable, affordable contract.

"I'd like to see an end to the saga of 'Is there going to be a British Grand Prix or not?'; I think it's about time we had a venue which can be developed to provide the best sort of facilities."

Donington Park currently remains in a state of much disrepair

The Englishman went on to admit that, as Ecclestone has commented for several years, Silverstone has not yet reached an optimum level for off-track services but stresses that all is funded by an essentially private company. "We do lag behind some of the great stadiums we have in this country for football," Hill continued.

"We want to provide a really great venue for the fans but in order to do that we will need to have the kind of contract which provides enough scope to develop the facilities without too much risk to the company going bust."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage