While backing new star Lewis
Hamilton to become the first rookie world champion, Hill –
the president of Silverstone owners, the British Racing
Drivers’ Club – said the youngster’s stunning debut season
should not be seen as a guarantee for an annual British race.
With Ecclestone seeking new venues on the F1 calendar, and
with new events announced in recent weeks for Singapore, Spain
and India, Hill expects the pressure to continue.
He said: “We should not be complacent. We should be taking
Ecclestone’s threats seriously.”
Silverstone’s owners plan to revamp the Grand Prix track with
their own cash and hope to approve a masterplan by the end of
July.
Silverstone’s contract to host the race expires after the 2009
British Grand Prix and Hill insisted they would not throw cash
at the project just to satisfy Ecclestone. “Our view is the
BRDC can afford to develop Silverstone using its own means –
and we can manage the assets,” he said.
The Daily Express recently launched a “Save our Silverstone”
campaign – backed by 98 per cent of readers responding to a
poll.
Hill said the plan would cost the BRDC more than £20 million,
with land sold to finance improvements.
