GPWC joins Silverstone fight
The British Grand Prix could become a central part of the planned GPWC Formula 1 breakaway championship, if plans by the company organising the new series are successful. An exclusive report in this week's Autosport magazine claims the event is being targeted as a 'jewel in the crown' venue for the new category
Just a week after the manufacturer-backed GPWC series appointed marketing company International Sports and Entertainment (iSe) to find venues and teams, sources claim that Silverstone has emerged as a prime target and the company is keen to chase down a deal for a British round of the championship. The GPWC is planning to start its new series no later than 2008.
An iSe source told Autosport: "We very much want Silverstone, absolutely. When you look at a sport there are certain parts of it which have always been there and which should remain there unless you have a very good reason not to keep them.
"How could you not include a circuit like Silverstone? How could you not have Wimbledon as part of a professional tennis tour?"
The short term future of the British Grand Prix should become clearer next week when showdown talks between team bosses at Heathrow are due to take place to try and agree cost cutting measures that would allow teams to take part in the planned 19-race schedule next year - including the British Grand Prix.
Such a breakthrough could weaken Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's insistence that Silverstone signs-up to a long-term contract - which would enable him to keep the British Grand Prix away from the GPWC's hand.
Talks between the GPWC representatives and Silverstone are expected to take place in the next few weeks - irrespective of the outcome of next week's team bosses' meeting.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments