Silverstone and F1 chiefs plan to reopen future talks when season over
Monday 31 July 2017 11:40, UK
Silverstone and F1's management plan to discuss the future of the British GP beyond 2019 at the end of the season.
Silverstone's decision to activate the break clause in their 17-year F1 contract means the race is now only guaranteed at the venue for another two seasons.
Although F1 chief Chase Carey was critical of the timing of the announcement, he has made it clear he wants the race to remain at its home of the last 30 years.
And the British Racing Drivers' Club, the owners of the circuit, are optimistic a new deal will eventually be thrashed out.
"We will sit down with Liberty," BRDC president Derek Warwick told Sky Sports F1. "Maybe at the end of the year when everything's calmed down, we've got more time, they've got more time.
"How can there not be a British GP at Silverstone? I'm sure somehow we will find some way of signing a new contract."
Sean Bratches, F1's commercial chief, also told Sky F1: "We have a plan to start speaking after the end of the current season."
People power to save Silverstone?
Silverstone recorded a four-day total attendance of over 300,000 for this year's event, consolidating its status as the best-attended event on the F1 calendar.
After winning his home race for a record-equalling fifth time, Lewis Hamilton backed Silverstone to remain as the home of the British GP and urged fans in attendance at Sunday evening's post-race party to make their support heard.
Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle told Sky Sports News: "He thrives on the passion and support he receives here at Silverstone and we're hugely grateful of his support for Silverstone."
Pringle is also confident that, after experiencing the British GP on site for the first time, F1's new management will have come away with a clear view on the event's appeal.
"I'm really grateful for Chase and Sean for taking time out of their busy schedule to come and see what the event was about, not just from the Formula 1 paddock but they came out with me to see how operationally we put this event on," he said.
"Sean spent a lot of time in the fan zone and really getting to grips with the feel. So I'm sure they'd have got a feel for what Silverstone is all about."
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