The UK government urged to help Silverstone

Bernie Ecclestone, the head of F1, has asked the British government to invest in the Silverstone circuit to allow it to rejuvenate and modernize sufficiently.

Ecclestone has often threatened the British Grand Prix with removal from the F1 calendar. The current contract expires in 2009 unless significant improvements are made to the circuit.

The owners of Silverstone, like the British Racing Drivers’ Club, approved certain plans for a major overhaul in July. Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sports, showed his support for the event earlier this month.

He had at the time ruled out any financial aid from the government.

But Ecclestone asked the government to help Silverstone, saying that the track only needs a small part of what was planned as expenses for organizing the 2012 Olympic Games.

« Great Britain is supposed to be at the heart of F1 and this circuit is at the bottom of the list, » said Ecclestone, speaking at the launch of the DVD summarizing the highlights of the 2007 F1 season, which will be marketed from December 10.

« With a tiny percentage of what the government is going to spend on the Olympic Games, they could support Silverstone.

« They know exactly what they have to do. It’s not for us to say where the money generally comes from, but it’s strange because most events to date are now supported by governments. »

Ecclestone also expressed his incomprehension regarding a future Grand Prix in London that is not becoming a reality.

« It is simply a question of the source of the necessary funds. The cost would be low compared to what England is going to spend on the Olympic Games. »

« If they look from a purely business point of view, the revenues generated by this potential GP could be huge, I can’t understand why this project isn’t coming to fruition, » he concluded.