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'No complacency' in British GP talks

British Grand Prix bosses must not get complacent in discussions with Bernie Ecclestone about a new race contract and believe that Lewis Hamilton's success in Formula One will safeguard the event's future

That is the view of British Racing Drivers' Club president Damon Hill, who thinks that although the Hamilton factor will boost the circuit's chances of a new agreement beyond 2009, insists there is no guarantee about Ecclestone not seeing through his threats to drop it from the calendar.

"I think we would be daft if we got complacent," said Hill, speaking at a press conference in London ahead of next weekend's race at Silverstone.

"We should take his (Ecclestone's) threats seriously because everyone has to raise their standards to the very highest to be in F1. But sometimes people go a bit too far and bust their flush."

Hill believes that some other F1 tracks, especially new ones of the calendar, have spent too much money to accommodate Ecclestone's needs. He thinks Silverstone should stay realistic about its ambition for redevelopment of the track.

"There are examples of F1 venues around the world that are perhaps too extreme and too ambitious for the markets they are in, and they are not sustainable," he explained. "We don't want to fall into that trap and I don't think we should be expected to.

"We want to provide FOM with a venue that satisfies them. We are not too far away, but I think we can overreach ourselves if we are not careful. I think if we are under pressure then we will feel the need to overreach ourselves, and I don't advise Silverstone Holdings to fall into that trap."

An EGM of the BRDC is due to be held on July 30 to vote on Silverstone's £25 million Masterplan for the future, which needs to be in place before talks with Ecclestone over a new deal can begin in earnest.

"As I understand it, he would like to see a plan in place and an ongoing plan, a commitment, before the negotiations to extend the contract take place. I think Bernie is absolutely right to be frustrated.

"I think it has been incredibly difficult to get the consensus and get a feeling of comfort, but sometimes he doesn't help. Sometimes his style can make people nervous, although I am not sure if that is what he intends.

"I think we have to understand his position, I have a great deal of respect for what Bernie does. He is a bit of a genius at doing what he does in organising this whole thing and being able to bring the best value to the sport, but in the past there has been animosity and a difficult relationship with Bernie particularly.

"I hope we can put all that behind us and bury whatever hatchets there might have been in the past."

Hill said he was optimistic that the BRDC and Ecclestone were enjoying a better relationship than they have in the past, and that both parties would keen for a deal to be sorted out.

But he reiterated comments from earlier this year that he believed the chances were still 50/50.

"I would say going into negotiations you have to have an open mind. I think I would not want to pre-empt that. It is a bit like going into a race, you might have the best car and the best opportunity, but it is not done until it is done.

"I would say the effort that is going into it is enormous, it is hard when you have the arrangement that we have, but then I think it is a good safeguard as well. It is better like this than if it was handed over to people who did not necessarily care about money."

When asked what he believed would happen if Ecclestone did drop the race, especially at a time with Hamilton being so successful, Hill said: "I dread to think. I don't know.

"We don't want that to happen, I don't think F1 wants that to happen, I don't think Lewis wants that to happen, I don't think Bernie wants that to happen. We want to find a way forward.

"A way that is going to have continuity and build on the continuity of the last how ever many years of having a British Grand Prix."

This year's race, which takes place next weekend, is still not a sellout, with 5,000 grandstand tickets still available. Hill said he was optimistic, however, that those final seats would be sold.

"There are a few seats left, and given the weather people can be forgiven for not leaping in there to go and see a motor race. I think the weather will turn and when the time comes people will buy up the last few tickets."

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