Yet another attack on Silverstone

[Spudgun]

Posted on ITV-F1.

http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/20513

Silverstone is under attack yet again.

Yes, Bahrain and Sepang may be the trendsetters and improvements are needed for Silverstone, but lets have some parity on this.

The FIA/FOM are happy enough to extend the contract for the Brazilian GP at Interlagos until 2009 despite the facilities without complaint. Advertising boards were falling on cars a couple of years ago!

Why is it only Silverstone that keeps getting a kicking? It's not the best track, but it's not the worst either. For example, Monaco is far too cramped, on track and off, but since it's such an historic race it's left alone.

[fiona]

i dont know why silverstone continues to be knocked, compared to some other f1 circuits the facilities are luxury

[garcon]

I think it's a little harsh of itv-f1 to take the quotes in that piece and call it an attack!

If people (and it seems the media is a constant guilty party) weren't quite so defensive, maybe comments could be taken in context and we could be talking about encouragement to develop Silverstone instead!

There is huge pressure here. Formula 1 is very big business in the UK - many of the teams are based here, as are many component manufacturers and all sorts of elements of the officialdom and corporate machine. We've already seen and heard talk of the pressures to move the whole shooting match elsewhere, and although the inclusion of a UK based race in the calendar isn't the only factor, it is at minimum a significant symbolic part of the equation.

[Gt_R]

Let's put it this way.Firstly if people keep saying "Who cares...There's Brazil, there's Hungary which are worse then us", then Silverstone is only doing themselves harm and would just fall behind the rest.

In F1, to stand still is to fall backwards relative to competition, and in that sense...the same logic applies to circuits.

I notice that a large portion of people take offense that Silverstone is being criticised and gets defensive... Why?

One reason why Silverstone is getting so much heat is mainly because Silverstone is VERY important to F1. It is where many teams are based near, and sort of one of the pillar circuits. It holds a much higher status than tracks like Hungary. Bernie naturally wishes it to get up to standards to reflect it's status - as one of F1's leading circuit. And to be outdone by participating circuits like Sepang and China... not exactly impressive..

Honestly, won't anybody want the beauty of the old-school Silverstone circuit be matched with WORLD CLASS facilities that everyone is proud of?

[Kicking-back]

Monza is a dump too.

[Mike_Wooshy]

i agree, but its the context that everyone raves about the state of the circuit, its spoke about as if its the ghetto or something i mean ye i love world class pits & the circuit is challenging, but 2005 new pits are coming anyway so i dont see what the fuss is about.

[Gt_R]

Honestly, i'd really hate circuits like Silverstone/Monza lose out to new circuits such as Bahrain/Malaysia/China.

Yeah..it's nice to have new places to go...but Silverstone/Monza/Spa has history and colour..adding new facilties would really make it even better.

Silverstone/Imola/Monza/Brazil needs more than just a new pit building or new track surfacing...the whole package needs to be renovated and improved.

At least you still have circuits to work on..sigh..

[Stephen Green]

You seem to be missing one very important point here. Many of the new super circuits are funded a great amount by the government of the country. That is something sorely lacking in the UK and in my opinion, unlikely to change. Now, if it were a sports/football/rugby staduim then it would get lottery money etc, but motorsport gets shoved on the back burner time and time again. The owners of Silverstone, the BRDC, simply do not have the money to spend like some governments.

[Gt_R]

Oh yah..i'm not talking about the finance..

And whcih is unfortunate i think that UK lacks that support for government..Silverstone's rightfful place is to be a leading motorsports hub and the government SHOULD help.

But hey, Singapore DOESN"T even have a circuit.. and sort of in the same boat as our government can't have the foresight of investing in one!

[garcon]

That's a key point Stephen.

So, if the government's unwilling to put public money in, maybe FOM should. I think Bernie would be willing to fund it more, but under (very!) strict conditions - he's asked a hell of alot of the BRDC in recent years, but I still think it's with the right intentions. If Bernie is ever satisfied that the other interested parties are "doing their bit" then I believe a deal could be struck.

[Spudgun]

Originally posted by Gt_R
Let's put it this way.Firstly if people keep saying "Who cares...There's Brazil, there's Hungary which are worse then us", then Silverstone is only doing themselves harm and would just fall behind the rest.

It's not a case of 'who cares'. We all know that improvements are needed, but it's the way it seems to always to be portrayed as a cesspit.

Silverstone is always singled out for criticism. If Bernie and Co wants to moan about tracks and facilities, at least dish it out to some of the other known circuits as well.

[DriverT]

Originally posted by Gt_R
Silverstone/Imola/Monza/Brazil needs more than just a new pit building or new track surfacing...the whole package needs to be renovated and improved.

Yes I agree. And they need a lot of funding from the Government.

[DriverT]

Originally posted by Gt_R
But hey, Singapore DOESN"T even have a circuit.. and sort of in the same boat as our government can't have the foresight of investing in one!

Is there space in Singapore for a circuit??

[steve_r]

Silverstone produced the best race of last year. Does anyone ever take that into consideration?

[fiona]

Originally posted by steve_r
Silverstone produced the best race of last year. Does anyone ever take that into consideration?

i dont actually think they do

[Dutch chap]

Many of the new super circuits are funded a great amount by the government of the country.

Stephen, You seem to get along fine with the clerics. Can't you get some money from the churches?

[Dutch chap]

I've marshalled the BGP several times. I think Silverstone is a fine circuit, though not very spectacular or demanding for drivers. Nothing wrong with the facilities (marshals campsite a big mess off course, but that's not the public's problem). As mentioned, there are other circuits that are far worse. If the issue is that a lot of F1 teams chose Silverstone as their home circuit and that it's for that the facilities should improve, we at least know who to look for to get some money.

[thepits]

Originally posted by Dutch chap
... Nothing wrong with the facilities (marshals campsite a big mess off course, but that's not the public's problem). As mentioned, there are other circuits that are far worse. ...

Spa for one!

their marshals "campsite" was under 2 foot of water the last time i saw it.

mind you it did have a beer tent!

[Woolley]

I suspect the answer is one of the following:

1) Money.
2) Power.
3) Both of the above.

The powers that be seem to like dealing with governments and public money in order to feel sufficiently self-important. Indeed, national governments are not important enough in Europe, and they wish to engage with the EU.

I presume we just don't butter their egos enough???

[Hugh Jarce]

But does Bahrain have grass - no!

If the roles were swapped people would complain that Silverstone was too grey.

And, it does have real champagne and trophies that don't look like waste paper bins.

Mind you, if they did model a Silverstone trophy on one the buildings we may end up with one that looks like a chemical toilet. Or a kebab van.

[Spudgun]

Originally posted by Hugh Jarce

Mind you, if they did model a Silverstone trophy on one the buildings we may end up with one that looks like a chemical toilet. Or a kebab van.

It is a novel idea though. It would bring some more humour into the sport at least.

[ElScOrChO]

I think that Montreal should fear that too...
The infrastructures aren't on par with those new circuits

[f1truestory]

Originally posted by steve_r
Silverstone produced the best race of last year. Does anyone ever take that into consideration?

The circuit is obviously one of the greatest with lots of overtaking. But i guess its just the facility a bit out of date.

[JohnSSC]

Ok, I am here in the US and have never been to an F1 race. Much of the discussion here is on the financing, etc.

Can someone explain to me what is missing at Silverstone that needs "upgraded?" Luxury Suites? The Paddock/Garage Area? Pit Lane?

When Tony George poured millions into Indianapolis to attract F1, much of it went to those sorts of improvements. Is this what Ecclestone is looking for?

[RWC]

The company that run the silverstone race are having massive money problems.('brands hatch sport and leisure'-not the BRDC)
If they make no money then bernie don't get his 300% cut..

***Are the constant attacks on silverstone starting to make sence now...?***


You'll remember last year bernie tried to get the BRDC to spend 50Mil(or whatever) on a new pit complex-even though it has nothing to do with the BRDC!!!!
He is low life scum and will stop at nothing to make more money