No more British GP after 2009?

[Wizzo]

Bernie Ecclestone has warned that there could be no British Grand Prix after 2009.

Bernie has told the Daily Telegraph that there are currently no plans for a 2010 British GP and has likened negotiations about a contract for the Silverstone race a ‘dead duck’.

The track’s existing deal is said to run out next year and it is rumoured that a deal that will cost Silverstone £11.2million has been put on the table.

The proposal has apparently been quieried with Ecclestone, thus leaving a stalemate that puts the future of the British GP in the balance.

Silverstone has however reportedly offered to make improvements to the circuit that have been demanded.

Bernie said he was not optimistic of a resolution: ‘I suppose they could come back to me. They could get the building done in six months. But I would not put any money on it.

‘The BRDC know the terms. If they meet them, then we are in business. But at the moment they can't and therefore there is no race in 2010.’

[Ian]

I don't think there are any more comments that can be made about this worm are there Wiz ?

[John S]

That means the World Series by Renault will be the best attended motor race meeting in Britain come 2010, hardly comparable is it?

Mind you this is Bernie in Rape & Pillage   negotiating mode again, he is never optimistic when trying to push a deal, at least not until he has squeezed the very last drop of blood from the other side. Trouble is excessive bleeding tends to end rather badly.

[Alianora La Canta]

Doesn't Bernie remember what happened when he tried this tactic in 2004? He ended up having to concede the last sliver of money he asked for because of the outcry in the motor racing community. It's too important a race to lose from the point of view of the F1 community - but there's a good chance Bernie will ignore them and make a fool of himself again (and then have to quietly reduce his demands again once Max's successor enters the fray - whenever that is).

[Scott]

The irony is that he's trying to win a PR battle against Maso-Max while at the same time coming across as the bully he really is.

[John S]

And he seems set to try to give himself, as commercial rights holder for F1, even more chances to pressurise circuits and race organisers with the bits of tidying up he wants on the 100 years deal.