Brundle fears British GP axe

Brundle fears British GP axe

Is time running out for F1 at Silverstone?

The British Grand Prix could be axed next season, according to ex-Formula One driver Martin Brundle, chairman of the company that owns Silverstone.

Brundle - chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club that leases the cirucit to Octagon Motorsports - said: "I think you have to question the British Grand Prix after this year.

"There is no short-term answer that is apparent yet."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has long criticised the annual race at Silverstone, claiming the facilities and traffic control is sub-standard.

New threat to British GP

But the event was thrown into fresh doubt when Octagon decided to sell up earlier this month.

It would be bizarre if there was a Turkish Grand Prix and not a British Grand Prix

Martin Brundle

Octagon bought a 15-year lease to run the Grand Prix in 1999, but parent company Interpublic is planning to sell all its motorsport business because of debts.

And it remains unclear whether Octagon will find a buyer - Ecclestone has himself admitted that the contract he struck with company was not commercially viable.

The British Grand Prix is facing increasing pressure for its place on the F1 calendar with a host of new circuits being built.

China and Bahrain are due to be added to the calendar in 2004, with Turkey set to be added the following season.

Brundle said: "With seven of the 10 grand prix teams based within a few miles of Silverstone, it would be simply bizarre if there was a Turkish Grand Prix and not a British Grand Prix, for example.

"Of course that could happen and, if it did, it would happen for a long time."