Stewart Backs Silverstone Attendance Cut

Jackie Stewart, president of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), on Monday backed plans by British Grand Prix organisers Octagon to chop attendances at next year's Formula One race.

The event has struggled with traffic problems for years and Octagon must convince the FIA that they can be solved for 2002 otherwise the event could be removed from the calendar.

But former Formula One World Champion Stewart believes that the move is an essential part of progression at the Silverstone circuit, and has backed the ambitions of the race organisers.

"My initial reaction is that it is positive and is the right step," said Stewart. "I think that the decision has come because of the concerns about car parking and the traffic flow. It shows the FIA that they are improving things.

"When the new roads are in it will be far better. It is all part of the master plan for Silverstone and I think Octagon have carefully thought out how many people they can have. Once things are right we can get 150,000 people in and not 60,000, but the roads need to be right first."