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Liberty F1 takeover 'positive' for British GP, says Warwick

British Racing Drivers' Club president Derek Warwick says he is "very positive now about the future" of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone following the completion of Liberty Media's takeover of Formula One this week.

The event was cast into doubt after a letter circulated to BRDC members on December 19th and leaked at the start of this month, revealed that the venue was considering activating a 'break clause' that would see it host the event for the final time in 2019 as otherwise it would put it at 'potentially ruinous risk'.

Warwick, however, believes F1's new owners should be more sympathetic to Silverstone's position and new boss Chase Carey has already said this week there will be a British Grand Prix after 2019.

"Monday definitely changed the face of 2017," Warwick said in an interview with Sky Sports, echoing comments made at Autosport International.

"We know where we're going now with Liberty, we know where we're going with Silverstone.

"We are very positive we can now work this grand prix and make a profit in 2017. We're looking forward to 2017.

"What he [Carey] is saying to us is he might relax certain restrictions that Bernie [Ecclestone] has had on us over the last few years in terms of merchandising, marketing, sponsorship etcetera.

"We know for a fact there are some circuits out there that have more flexibility with their contract with Bernie than what we've got. So maybe they will join forces and make sure we can all use that expertise that other circuits have in order to make Silverstone more profitable."

Warwick also added that Silverstone is the only realistic venue for the British Grand Prix.

"The Circuit of Wales is just a white elephant. That shouldn't happen, won't happen, I don't think it will ever happen. There's no other circuit in the UK that could hold a Grand Prix, not without massive investment and I'm talking hundreds of millions. I don't think that will happen either.

"London? We've been talking about London for 10-20 years and I know that Chase and Liberty would like to go to all the big cities, but can you imagine holding a Grand Prix around Hyde Park? Never."

Zdroj: crash.net