BRDC Chair John Grant warns that '19 could be the last year for the British GP.getty images
British Racing Drivers' Club Chair John Grant said that Silverstone and Formula 1 are still "some ways apart" in negotiations to secure the future of the British Grand Prix, according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. Grant in a letter to BDRC members said that he is "hopeful" a deal can be agreed. But he warned that "as things stand, 2019 could be the last British GP at Silverstone -- or indeed anywhere." Silverstone's contract to host the race "ends after next year's event." The track had a contract until '27 but last year "exercised a break clause that enabled it to exit the contract" after the '19 race because Silverstone said that it was "becoming unaffordable." Liberty Media said that it wants to "keep the historic races" which it considers to be "vital for the health and future of the sport" (BBC, 7/5).
FRIENDLY COMPETITION: MOTORSPORT's Scott Mitchell reported F1 Managing Dir Ross Brawn and Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton "helped launch a competition to make a fan's new way following grand prix racing a reality." The F1 Innovation Prize is an "initiative from F1, Tata Communications and Mercedes that has crowdsourced ideas from fans about how to improve their viewing experience." This is the fifth year of the competition and, for the first time, the $50,000 prize will be "augmented by a commitment from F1 to put the winning idea into action" (MOTORSPORT, 7/5).
