F1: MPs say a Silverstone race is ‘vital’
By LJ Hutchins
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
The British Grand Prix should remain at Silverstone in order to secure the future well-being of the British motorsport industry, according to a group of MPs.
And they said the prospect of its disappearance from the F1 calendar would be ‘a massively damaging blow’.
Members of the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee visited the circuit on Monday on a fact-finding mission, at the invitation of a local MP, where they met its managing director Richard Phillips and Brawn/Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn.
They also spoke to the owners and managers of small- and medium-sized motorsports companies and a senior professor from the Cranfield University’s School of Applied Sciences.
Committee chairman, Peter Luff MP said: “We were overwhelmed by the intensity of opinion, confirming the need to keep the Grand Prix at Silverstone.
“British motorsport without the Grand Prix could wither on the wine and that would be just as damaging to Formula One as it would be to the industry.
“I therefore call on Bernie Ecclestone, Damon Hill and Richard Phillips to recognise their mutual interest, stand up for Britain and finalise a deal which is good for Silverstone, for Formula One, for the wider motorsport industry and for our nation.”
The visit to Silverstone and Brackley is part of the committee’s major inquiry into the motorsport and aerospace sectors. Further oral evidence will be taken on 15 December and 26 January, with the final report expected in February.
The committee decided to issue a statement ahead of its final report because of the imminence of the decision on the British Grand Prix.
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Read more about British Grand Prix, Formula One, Richard Phillips, Ross Brawn, Silverstone.
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Author: LJ Hutchins. Supports McLaren, kind of. Thinks James May gets a rough deal off the other two. Drives a Subaru Impreza but regrets its lack of bright blue paint and gold wheels. Is very nearly old enough to know better but probably never will. Is a supporter member of the BWRDC. LJ has written 1117 articles for us.
