Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone claims his bid to purchase Silverstone was turned down. GETTY IMAGES
Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone said that he made inquiries about buying Silverstone, "but was told the British Grand Prix venue is not for sale," according to Adam Cooper of AUTOSPORT. Ecclestone's claim "comes as the future of the British GP remains in doubt," with the current contract expiring after the '19 race. Asked for his views on the event's future, Ecclestone replied, "It would be nice to have one." He added, "They could do a deal there, but I think they'll have to come up with some sort of an idea of sharing the losses. Or profits, or whatever." Asked what his plans for Silverstone would have been, he said, "I wouldn't have been directly involved as such." Silverstone declined to comment on Ecclestone's suggestion (AUTOSPORT, 12/10).
THE RIGHT PRICE: GMM reported Silverstone's promoters "are looking to diversify their event portfolio" in '20 and beyond. Last year, the circuit triggered a break clause in its contract with Liberty Media "for financial reasons." Silverstone Managing Dir Stuart Pringle said, "We got ourselves into a pickle because we had a business that was solely financed by the grand prix." The circuit is therefore "diversifying" and Pringle said that Silverstone is now "heading in the right direction." Pringle: "It gives us the confidence to say, 'Lord knows we want to keep the Grand Prix, but not at any price'" (GMM, 12/9).
