10/11/2006
NEWS STORY
Following the news that Bernie Ecclestone is keen to see France and Britain share a slot on the F1 calendar, hosting an F1 Grand Prix at Magny Cours and Silverstone in alternate years, BRDC chairman, Stuart Rolt, has admitted that the proposal has been discussed, though the owners of the Northamptonshire track are not entirely enthused by the idea.
"We said it doesn't work for us," he admitted to The Times. "We were not able to see how a grand prix every second year works financially - we have to keep the place in a suitable condition for a grand prix - and in terms of staffing. You may be able to let some staff go temporarily and hire them back, but that's a difficult way to run a business."
Looking ahead, and with Ecclestone pushing hard, for more money and improved facilities, Rolt admits that the situation looks bleak for British race fans.
"I really can't reassure them after 2009," he said. "To me there is a danger that we cannot, or we are somehow unable to, find a way to fund the improvements or there may be a point where the amount of money we have to pay for hosting the Grand Prix becomes untenable."
According to Ecclestone, the French were up for the idea, unlike their British counterparts.
"We've given them the opportunity and Magny-Cours agreed," he told The Times. "Silverstone had the opportunity and said they didn't want to. Silverstone stays where they are.
"We respect our contracts," he continued, ominously adding; "we'll see what happens when the contract runs out."