F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has set the fee to promote the race at £9 million a year, the market rate for established grands prix in Europe. But the BRDC, owners of Silverstone, is £6 million short over a two-year period for 2005 and 2006.
The UK’s Daily Telegraph reports that an improved offer to promote the race until 2007 has been put forward, but the BRDC cannot stretch to more than £6 million per race. It seemingly leaves the fate of Britain’s only viable grand prix venue doomed, Brands Hatch having failed to get the necessary backing to improve its infrastructure.
The BRDC is said to be pleading with the Government to make up the shortfall. If it backed the event it would become a partner and there are said to be a number of proposals to provide a return on the investment.
One possibility is that Ecclestone could put Silverstone on the calendar provisionally, provided the £3 million shortfall for this year is met by the December meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the first ever Chinese Grand Prix, other nations keen to stage a race are said to include Dubai and India.
