The new Silverstone is not winning everyone over

After inaugurating its new ‘Arena’ section in 2010, the Silverstone circuit welcomes teams and drivers in 2011 with a brand new paddock costing more than 31 million euros. However, these new facilities are not unanimous and, according to Michael Schumacher, Silverstone has lost a bit of its character.

Nick Heidfeld, for his part, expresses his incomprehension: « I liked it the way it was before and I don’t understand why it had to change. »

In his column for the daily Telegraph, David Coulthard is also quite critical: « Let’s be honest, the new complex wasn’t built for the fans but for the VIPs: that’s what Bernie Ecclestone wanted. […] I hope Silverstone will allow fans to come onto the track at the end of the race as they do in Melbourne or Monza because, otherwise, I think they will be completely excluded from the podium ceremony. »

But the main downside for the BBC consultant lies in the design of the new pit lane: « In their foresight, the architects designed the pit lane lower than the pit wall, so fans in the main grandstand won’t be able to see what’s happening in the pits. »

The Scotsman is not the only one to make this remark, as Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio states that, as at Spa, you can’t see the track. It makes no sense.

The architect, however, opted for originality by separating the pit wall from the garages themselves with a wide strip of grass on which one could (theoretically) play golf (according to Rubens Barrichello).

This change of paddock, however, implies a change of start/finish line that seems to satisfy the drivers much more: « Before, we used to have a corner taken at full speed after the start, and then, at Beckett, the situation had already settled before the first braking » Hamilton reveals. « Now, we start with two fast corners but with enough space for two cars side by side, whereas the first braking is closer to the start. So, I expect some position changes when we brake at turn 3. »

But the new paddock is only a first phase of development, with the circuit’s officials announcing their intentions to undertake new projects including hotels, a new karting track, a music stage, as well as exhibition halls and experimental centers.

« It won’t happen overnight and it’s going to require funding. There are plenty of things we have accomplished. But we still have a lot to do to create the required atmosphere. We are in the leisure market and it’s quite a competitive market: there are some very good things being done. We need to be among the best, » says Richard Phillip, director of Silverstone.

The President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), Stuart Rolt, assures that the initial feedback from potential investors is positive, but nothing has been finalized yet.