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Hill: "Silverstone Is Part of F1 History"

Former Formula One champion Damon Hill insisted that Silverstone will be missed by the Great Circle in the years to come. Currently president of the British Racing Drivers Association, Hill argued that the sport should take better care of its historical venues and that the atmosphere created by the fans at Silverstone will be irreplaceable in F1.

Hill agreed that Formula One should travel worldwide and extend on several markets, but added that the British Grand Prix and Silverstone are part of the sports history and should not become threatened because of this process. The Northamptonshire based circuit is the place where F1 first held its race, back in 1950.

The British Grand Prix will move to Donington Park for the next 17 years, as they have been granted a 10-year extension by the FOM last week, as announced by circuit's landowner Simon Gillett.

The British Grand Prix is a crucial part of the mix of F1, the history of F1. No doubt you can argue that no-one is indispensable, but the British Grand Prix is part of that, and likewise Silverstone. It's also part of something which is of immeasurable value to the championship, the history of the sport,” said Hill, as reported by British magazine AUTOSPORT.

I would never be against trying to export F1 or motorsport around the world. I think it's a terrific sport provided the economy can support it and people are able to enjoy it safely. It galvanises people and it's great that it happens in other places. But it's not good to have an event where there isn't a packed crowd of people who are knowledgeable about sport - that's why football is so strong in this country,” added the former Williams driver.

Many argued that the reason for Silverstone's dismissal from the F1 schedule was because Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone was not elected president of the BRDC in 2006. Since then, the British circuit – currently under the patronage of the aforementioned body – has been continuously under the critic eye of the 68-year old Englishman.

Nevertheless, Hill believes there's no saying of what can happen next to the Silverstone circuit, as things can move rapidly in a different direction in Formula One. The BRDC president did leave the door open for a future collaboration with the Great Circle.

It's very important to keep up to speed and to fight for your right to be there. Things change rapidly, and I don't think we're discounting the possibility that it could be back at some point,” added Hill.
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