F1 World Ask Ecclestone to Bring Silverstone Back

Following Bernie Ecclestone's ultimatum over the Silverstone track for the hosting of the 2010 British Grand Prix – something like “sign now or we'll have no British GP in F1” – the prominent voices of Formula One urged the F1 supremo to think twice about scrapping the race from the F1 calendar.

The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) was the first one to speak, through representative Mark Webber. The Australian veteran, 2-time Grand Prix winner this year, insisted that Formula One cannot go on without Silverstone, not to talk about the British Grand Prix. The Northamptonshire based track is top of the preference list for most drivers and walking away simply for commercial reasons seems like a pointless decision to the Aussie driver.

“We have to have the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It's a total no-brainer. It's a sensational circuit. And it's always been very well attended. I know all the other F1 drivers love coming here. It's got that amazing feel about it in terms of the very, very quick corners. It's a challenging circuit. It's one that is back to the roots of what F1 is all about,” Webber told BBC Look East.

While an Aussie defending a British track so passionate may seem a little awkward itself, Webber was not the only one demanding Ecclestone to stay committed to the Silverstone track. Championship winner Ross Brawn also asked the F1 supremo to leave his personal agenda aside and not privy Formula One of one of its historical venue.

“I think it was (BRDC President) Damon Hill who made the point, with which I completely concur, that F1 is what it is because of the balance of races it has, the history it has, the heritage it has,” said Brawn.

“We've got to get a balance between keeping the history and heritage of F1 and the new opportunities we have at fantastic circuits like [Abu Dhabi], so I think it would be a tragedy if we lost Silverstone and I hope Bernie can find a solution with Silverstone to keep the race there,” added Brawn.

Red Bull's Christian Horner also asked Ecclestone to reevaluate the return of Silverstone on the F1 map, as it bears a historical importance to the sport of Formula One.

“Silverstone is effectively a private entity. I think Silverstone and the British Grand Prix is a very important and significant part of the calendar. It's a historic race, it's been there since the start of the world championship, it's a great circuit, the drivers love it and it's a local grand prix to probably more than fifty per cent of the teams,” added the Red Bull team principal.