Silverstone gets a new lease of life.
BRDC approves Silverstone Master Plan
The British Racing Drivers’ Club has voted overwhelmingly to press ahead with the ‘Silverstone Master Plan’, which is designed to ensure the circuit retains the British Grand Prix beyond 2009.
The BRDC, Silverstone’s owners, held an extraordinary general meeting on Monday to vote on the plans which will see a major redevelopment of the Northamptonshire circuit’s facilities.
The plan envisages that the circuit will become a hub for the wider motorsport industry and the blueprint includes up to six million square feet of new development over the next 10 years, incorporating new grandstands, new pit and paddock facilities, a science park, a manufacturer test centre, hotel and conference resources and a small amount of residential development.
BRDC president Damon Hill welcomed his members’ decision to support the plan and emphasised its importance to the future of the circuit and British motorsport as a whole.
“This vote is a great result for the future of British motorsport," he said.
“The BRDC’s Master Plan is not only important to Silverstone and its continued hosting of the British Grand Prix, but also to the development of the sport in this country.
“We can only continue to develop exciting young stars like Lewis Hamilton if we have the best facilities at which to nurture such talent.
“Having won the British Grand Prix myself I know how special it is for a driver to win their home grand prix, so we would very much like, as a racing drivers’ club, which the BRDC is, for that opportunity to be there for future generations.”
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been a persistent critic of Silverstone’s facilities and warned over the British GP weekend last month that the circuit had to make progress with its upgrades by next year's race if the track's F1 contract was to be extended into the next decade.
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