"F1 doesn't need British GP"

TK-421 · 10-24-2009, 12:32 PM

http://www.worldcarfans.com/10910242...gp--ecclestone

Quote:

Bernie Ecclestone insists he is prepared to scrub Britain's name from the 2010 calendar if Silverstone does not want to pay the going rate for its formula one race.

With Donington's chances now all but over, it had been expected that the F1 chief executive might move to safeguard the British grand prix by reaching an alternate deal with the race's traditional venue.

But after a Silverstone spokesman said Ecclestone's current offer is not "commercially viable", the British billionaire hit back: "No one is forcing them to take it.

"This is business. We have offered them a deal," he told the Daily Express newspaper. Do we need a British grand prix? No."

Ecclestone disputes that Silverstone, scene of F1's very first world championship event in 1950, should enjoy protected status as one of the sport's "traditional" venues.

"Italy is a traditional race because they have always raced at Monza," he argued. "Monaco is traditional as they have always had the same track.

"Britain and France have raced at three different circuits. They want a cut-price deal because it is traditional. That's not traditional to me. Britain is not protected," said Ecclestone.

"I would like a new plane because it's traditional as I have had one for 40 years but no one is offering me a cheap deal. That's not how it works."

Meanwhile, The Times newspaper reports that Donington's breach of contract may cost the circuit up to 15 million pounds sterling in cancellation fees.

This guy needs to be euthanized ASAP

imported_mega · 10-24-2009, 02:04 PM

he has a point, why should they cut them deal, it is a buisness now

MontegoblueE92 · 10-24-2009, 03:04 PM

Silverstone is the biggest race of the year, bar none. When you have 100,000+ people showing up for a single race, it's the best thing for the sport. If Bernie cared about F1, and not just his wallet, he would understand that Formula 1, as a sport, needs to embrace the fandom instead of trying to make the extra buck on hosting fees.

E90SLAM · 10-24-2009, 07:04 PM

And Formula 1 doesn't need you!!!

BudVlad · 10-25-2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

And Formula 1 doesn't need you!!!

DTNJNQ · 10-25-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontegoblueE92

Silverstone is the biggest race of the year, bar none. When you have 100,000+ people showing up for a single race, it's the best thing for the sport. If Bernie cared about F1, and not just his wallet, he would understand that Formula 1, as a sport, needs to embrace the fandom instead of trying to make the extra buck on hosting fees.

Not sure I agree with the British F! GP having the largest crowds. The British GP had it's largest crowd in 15 years (307,000 over 3 days). The gp here in Australia has regularly had larger crowds than this.

MontegoblueE92 · 10-25-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTNJNQ

Not sure I agree with the British F! GP having the largest crowds. The British GP had it's largest crowd in 15 years (307,000 over 3 days). The gp here in Australia has regularly had larger crowds than this.

Albert Park hasn't been there for 50+ years either, nor is it a fan favorite. My point still stands.

bling_singh · 10-25-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontegoblueE92

Albert Park hasn't been there for 50+ years either, nor is it a fan favorite. My point still stands.

Don't want to interject, but your post reads as if the only reason you thought Silverstone was the biggest race in F1 is because of the crowd it draws.....even then I doubt there are that many that go to Suzuka or Interlagos that care about Silverstone. Each country has its own racing history and it can be argued that the local history matters more (given the vast regional and cultural differences from track to track) than that of the bigger picture.

Silverstone may have some historical importance to the sport, but in every sport the historical imperative has waxed and waned. Right now the more important thing is selling more cars in India and China and because of that Albert Park is much more relevant than Silverstone.

kevinD · 10-26-2009, 10:08 AM

getting my plane tickets to go to melborne for the F1 race this week

indy is traditional but they axed that race pretty easily. i think they should judge the tracks by how much passing they can do. so anotherwords the new spanish circuit gets the axe. singapore gets the axe, oh wait, i guess almost all the tracks would get the axe

ianbiz · 10-26-2009, 10:31 AM

I like how Monaco and Monza get discount rates because they are "traditional" tracks, but Silverstone (which has been around just as long) doesn't. WTF BERNIE!!!!

footie · 11-02-2009, 05:46 AM

When you consider that probably 85% of the grid is UK based teams all of which are centered around Silverstone or there about it would be suicide for there not to be a British GP.

I wouldn't deny that Silverstone isn't perfect but it's a better track to visit as a fan than Monaco is, but the money income for this track probably far exceeds the likes of Silverstone. For Mr Ecclestone the love of the sport dead long ago in his mind and he is solely in it for the money.

10-24-2009, 02:04 PM	#2
imported_mega Colonel 130 Rep 2,208 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	he has a point, why should they cut them deal, it is a buisness now __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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10-24-2009, 03:04 PM	#3
MontegoblueE92 Captain 78 Rep 956 Posts Drives: It Like He Stole It Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: M-Town iTrader: (0)	Silverstone is the biggest race of the year, bar none. When you have 100,000+ people showing up for a single race, it's the best thing for the sport. If Bernie cared about F1, and not just his wallet, he would understand that Formula 1, as a sport, needs to embrace the fandom instead of trying to make the extra buck on hosting fees.
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10-24-2009, 07:04 PM	#4
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 2063 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	And Formula 1 doesn't need you!!! __________________
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10-26-2009, 10:08 AM	#9
kevinD Private 0 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 04 evo 8 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: irving, TX iTrader: (0)	getting my plane tickets to go to melborne for the F1 race this week indy is traditional but they axed that race pretty easily. i think they should judge the tracks by how much passing they can do. so anotherwords the new spanish circuit gets the axe. singapore gets the axe, oh wait, i guess almost all the tracks would get the axe
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10-26-2009, 10:31 AM	#10
ianbiz Back in a BMW 211 Rep 5,208 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Msport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (8)	I like how Monaco and Monza get discount rates because they are "traditional" tracks, but Silverstone (which has been around just as long) doesn't. WTF BERNIE!!!! __________________ Ian
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11-02-2009, 05:46 AM	#11
footie Major General 1240 Rep 8,034 Posts Drives: i5M60 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: No where fast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW i5M60 [0.00] 2022 BMW i4M50 [0.00] 2020 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	When you consider that probably 85% of the grid is UK based teams all of which are centered around Silverstone or there about it would be suicide for there not to be a British GP. I wouldn't deny that Silverstone isn't perfect but it's a better track to visit as a fan than Monaco is, but the money income for this track probably far exceeds the likes of Silverstone. For Mr Ecclestone the love of the sport dead long ago in his mind and he is solely in it for the money.
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