Silverstone already in 2010 GP talks

Silverstone has already begun serious discussions with Bernie Ecclestone about a new British Grand Prix deal, AUTOSPORT has learned, but a contract is still far from guaranteed

Donington Park has until midday on Monday to sort its financing out before it is in breach of its contract to host the race, and sources have revealed that talks have already opened between Ecclestone and Silverstone about a fall back plan.

But although it is understood that those discussions have moved up a gear in recent weeks, once it became clear that Donington Park was in trouble, there remains no certainty that a deal will be put in place.

Sources suggest that the contract currently being proposed by Ecclestone's camp is very similar to the one that Silverstone rejected 18 months ago as being commercially unviable - and which led to the deal with Donington Park happening in the first place.

Although Silverstone is keen for a long-term deal to secure the future of the British Grand Prix, the track has made it clear several times that it will only keep the race if it makes financial sense.

A source close to the discussions said: "Silverstone is keen and ready to progress, but as we stand at the moment, no viable contract has yet been offered."

shares
comments

FOTA hopes for new dawn with Todt

WRC title showdown preview

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Belgian GP
GP Racing

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

Subscribe