Brundle warns of British GP threat

According to AUTOSPORT's sister publication Motorsport News, Brundle says the jewel in British motorsport's crown could be lost to one of the many countries that are currently bidding to host Formula 1 races.

The lease for the British Grand Prix is currently up for sale from Octagon Motorsports, which is owned by US advertising giant Interpublic. Octagon's 15-year lease to run the grand prix still has 13 years left to run, but its decision to ditch its motorsport interests means the future of the race is uncertain.

"I think you have to question the British Grand Prix after this year," Brundle told MN. "There is no short term answer that is apparent yet.

"With seven of the 10 grand prix teams based within a few miles of Silverstone, it would be simply bizarre if there was a Turkish Grand Prix and not a British Grand Prix, for example. Of course that could happen, and if it did it would happen for a long time," he warned.

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was recently quoted as saying: "The contract is guaranteed by Interpublic. But if no-one wants to run the race, then there won't be a British Grand Prix."