Bernie Ecclestone tells Silverstone: We're not going to negotiate to negotiate about negotiations. Let's get on with it...
F1 boss
Bernie Ecclestone has said that while he wants a British Grand Prix next year, he is not prepared to do 'special rates' for the UK.
Silverstone is now favourite to host the event next July after
Donington's bid collapsed [see separate story –
click here]. However, the Northamptonshire-based track has yet to agree terms with Ecclestone - and it is thought that the deal being offered now is the same as the one that was rejected 18 months ago.
"
Silverstone has not yet been offered a commercially viable contract," a spokesperson told British tabloid newspaper,
The Daily Express.
Ecclestone meanwhile has reacted angrily and warned that if the deal isn't taken up then Britain will lose its grand prix.
"
Silverstone have a contract in front of them," Ecclestone added in the same report. "We've no commercial arrangement in place for a British Grand Prix for next year. That is why the race has an asterisk beside it on the 2010 calendar.
"If they can't make it work, then don't do it. If that happens, there won't be a British Grand Prix. Simple as that.
"No one is forcing them to take it. This is business. We have offered them a deal. The contract they have is the contract we like. We are not prepared to charge less.
"Do we need a British Grand Prix? No. I want a British Grand Prix, of course, but we are not going to do special rates for Britain."
Ecclestone also went on to add that while Britain has always had a grand prix and is 'traditional', that doesn't count for much in today's world.
"Italy is a traditional race because they have always raced at Monza," he continued. "Monaco is traditional as they have always had the same track. Britain and France have raced at three different circuits. They want a cut-price deal because it is traditional. That's not traditional to me.
"Britain is not protected. I would like a new plane because it's traditional as I have had one for 40 years but no one is offering me a cheap deal. That's not how it works.
"A lot of countries want grand's prix. How would it be fair to those countries to charge them more than a major country like Britain?
"We're not going to negotiate to negotiate about negotiations. Let's get on with it. They can make money. It's up to them."
