I had a very long chat about this subject in the pub at lunchtime with some die hard F1 fans and they lay the blame totally at the feet of Jackie Stewart and the rest of the BRDC!

F1 is run as a business, Silverstone was offered the best rate in Europe to hold the event and they didn’t come up with the money. Apparently the BRDC letter said the £9million was a take it or leave it offer, F1 decided to not take it as they had to drop 2 circuits this year anyway.

The BDRC who owns and runs Silverstone got given the track in the first place and run it at a loss over the F1 weekend. Other circuits believe that holding an event is worth over £30million to them. I know the ban on cigarette advertising doesn’t help. Maybe if Silverstone was run by out and out business men rather than a club for ex drivers they would find a way to turn a profit and bring in more outside cash. Bernie has offered them sizeable junks of his cash in the past to modernise, on the proviso that he gets a stake in the company and the profits. He has always been turned down as the BDRC wants to keep total control.

Personally I think it will be a great shame to loose the GB GP for emotional reasons and on a simple economic front. Some people within the motor racing world need to step back think and realise that it is now BIG business.

In the short term I am looking forward to the next race and a hopeful Red 1,2. The bookies have it now that the Brazilian dentist will win every race. Lets hope next year the other teams step up their game also as it isn’t the fault of Ross and Michael that this year was a white wash again.