Call to arms over British Grand Prix

Brundle, who is chairman of the organising body, the British Racing Drivers Club, and Blundell, a BRDC board member, believe that the big names of the past have benefited from Silverstone hosting their 'home' GP and that they should be stepping up to defend its position on the Formula 1 calendar.

"Silverstone was here for us in our careers and the British Grand Prix is very important to British drivers," said Brundle. "These guys took the glory, the adulation, the tens of millions and it's time to give something back."

With the 2003 fixture just around the corner, the war of words over the future of the race has intensified. Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is especially critical of the facilities at Silverstone, despite investing £20m of his own money in improvements.

"I signed up for the vision of a new pit complex at Stowe," he said recently, "and instead the money has been spent on a car park for 5,000 cars, when one for 20,000 is needed."

Ecclestone has been criticised by the BRDC for proving to be a de-stabilising influence and it is this that Brundle and Blundell are calling upon their fellow drivers to help combat. According to Blundell, outing fellow drivers has only become necessary after high profile names became conspicuous by their absence.

"I don't believe you should have to approach them directly, they could see what was required. No one had to ask us, the BRDC role is voluntary and we feel we want to put something back in. I wish others did...it gets me that there are very few of us putting in our twopenny-worth."

Brundle believes that the situation is more serious than many people realise: "The British Grand Prix can't be guaranteed - nothing is in perpetuity. It can't rest on its laurels. One thing is for sure - if we do nothing, we'll lose it," he said.