BritGP is about more than just the money
lawrensons writes:
> Certainly the new tracks have helped
But Silverstone IS one of the new tracks:
In the last few years millions have been spent on the circuit, making track improvements based on consultations with drivers and constructors.
Recent suggestions on the telly sugegsting the track is old or not that good for racing is "spin".
Any F1 driver would tell you Silverstone is one of the best circuits in the world, and some would say the best.
Not only that, but they invested millions also in new buildings, car parks, roads et al, to improve Silverstone and the BritGP.
In recent years, industrial development has begun which will be creating hundreds of skilled jobs for the area and for Britain.
The reason BRDC can't stump up ?20m as a fee to Bernie is that they invested their money in Silverstone.
Its no coincidence that this latest farce over the BritGP comes the year following these multi-million commitments to the site and environs. The promoter probably feels he has people who have recently committed huge amounts of funds over a barrel. He probably does have them over a barrel.
The biggest loser, in terms of invesment undermined, is the british taxpayer. Last year we spent $1.4bn on the road either side of Silverstone which will carry the traffic supporting the new industrial developments scheduled to go ahead there.
But more than the money, the British GP has always been a hugely significant race, and Britain has always played a central role in motor racing. Not having a British GP would be like not having Wimbledon. Or only allowing Americans to play for the Ryder Cup. Or scattering the Ashes. In other words - unthinkable.
The ONLY problems are of money and corruption.
IF you hear on the news that an agreement has been come to involving Bernie Ecclestone increaing his shares in BRDC holdings, you know that was behind it all along.
Sport, Art, Religion, these things are central to us, to our humanity. When the sort of financial shenanigans we see come in the way of the sport itself, it's a sad day. Football has suffered terribly through greed and corruption in recent times.
As St. Paul says: "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."
He is not wrong.
Oliver