Bernie: December 9 D-Day for Silverstone

Sunday 22nd November 2009

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has revealed December 9 is the deadline for a deal to be done if the British Grand Prix is to take place next summer.

Plans to switch the race from Silverstone to Donington have fallen through, and talks with circuit owners to try to keep the grand prix at Silverstone have stalled.

Ecclestone, Formula One's chief executive, said: "They had a contract in place that they could have signed if they'd wanted to but they haven't. At the moment there is no British Grand Prix.

"I think December 9 is when the Formula 1 commission meet so that's when it will be taken off the calendar. If there's no contract in place there won't be a British Grand Prix."

Ecclestone also revealed he was surprised at World Champion Jenson Button's switch to join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season in an all-British team.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme, Ecclestone said: "He (Button) obviously knows what he's doing and he must be satisfied with the arrangements he's got in hand. I must confess I was a little surprised to see it happening.

"I suppose he feels confident enough to take on Lewis and that's it. It's a bit of a task to take on, that's all."

Ecclestone believes the two Britons can work well together, with the faster one becoming the team's number one.

"I think it will work," said Ecclestone. "They're both English guys and understand each other. I don't see a problem at all.

"Lewis isn't the sort of guy that needs pushing so I don't see how it will benefit the team other than they've got two World Champions and two super drivers on board.

"I suppose the number one will be the guy that is the quickest."

Ecclestone, however, dampened down expectation that German legend Michael Schumacher was about to return to the sport with Mercedes, who have taken over the Brawn team.

He said: "I would think it's most unlikely. I don't see any reason why he should. I would be very doubtful it would happen."

Your Comments

19Krpm

"I am not Brit and don't live in Europe, but absolutely admire and respect the culture of motorsports and F1 which was created, nurtured and advanced in Britain. The tradition continues to this date, inspiring and attracting admirers, drivers and organizations from Europe and around the globe. It amazes how this clown BE (is he a British citizen or a failed swiss banker?!) could not have found a viable business compromise to preserve one of the country's most globally respected and admired events and depriving Britain from its own F1 episode? His failure to secure a solution are more of an indication that he's financially-terminal or in early stages of senility or utterly negligent and in denial."

ag545

"Mr Ecclestone is being diplomatic.What i find curious about all the comments from the bigwig team-owners is that they're actually commenting aloud about the wisdom of Button moving into what is clearly viewed by the Powers that Be in the paddock, as unequivocal Lewis territory? McLaren is Lewis, Lewis is Mclaren. No ambiguity there it seems. I predict Jenson will fare better than we all expect "

deepfridge

"The only way the fans can hurt this greedy (v rich)little man is by not watching the "Bernie" races on tv..tv ratings are vital to him and if the fans were to vote with their off switch en masse that would hurt..I am not going to watch Bahrain/China/Valencia/Hockenheim/Turkey/Abu Dhabi..

..Maybe one of the big campaigning "popular" UK newspapers could be persuaded to run a campaign...."

Max_Headroom

"I really DON'T CARE what Bernie Ecclestone's opinions are. I DO care about the amount of power that one little man can wield in OUR sport! I also worry about the quote in the above which says "I think that Dec. 9th is when the F1 Commission meet, (THINK? He KNOWS! or is senility creeping in?) so that's when it will be taken off the calendar" Note "WHEN" & "WILL" Doesn't sound to me like negotiations (Bernie, negotiations? that says a lot in itrself) are proceeding very well.

ps Has anybody noticed that over the past ten years or so that Bernie hasn't got any older? has he been replaced by a robot?"

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