Brundle Warns Silverstone Against Complacency

Martin Brundle, chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club, expressed his delight today after the British Grand Prix was included on the 2004 Formula One calendar, but warned against complacency.

Only eight weeks ago a British Grand Prix next summer looked doubtful following an attack on the facilities at Silverstone, which is owned by the BRDC, by the sport's commercial right holder Bernie Ecclestone. But the British Grand Prix was confirmed on the calendar with a July 4 date despite the BRDC not having given Ecclestone the assurances he wanted that improvements will be made.

"We've had a number of agreements and assurances but nothing has been done," said Brundle. "If anything it will be October or November on that front. I think some things Bernie says are tactical but I see his points. He is turning up at countries with hundreds of millions of dollars and it seems like he is digging a new hole every week.

"But Silverstone has no dough. Something has got to be done because if everyone sits on their hands the race will go. The BRDC are pro-active to it, but it has been made a lot more difficult than it needs to be."

Silverstone has been dogged by problems in the past, this year's episode involving a protester invading the track during the Grand Prix. Next year's July 4 date will pose a question or two again, this time how to pull in the public with the event clashing with the final of Euro 2004 in Lisbon and the men's tennis final at Wimbledon.