Damon Hill believes the BRDC’s improvements to the Silverstone circuit will produce a ‘real corker’ of a race.
At the end of 2009, the BRDC managed to negotiate a 10-year contract, and a seven year option to keep F1 at the Northamptonshire circuit. Hill admitted “there were sleepless nights and many stressful moments” negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone and FOM, but on the promise of updating the track, the deal was struck.
A £5 million upgrade of the circuit was the result – the main changes taking place between Abbey and Woodcote with a new ‘Arena’ section added between the two corners.
Hill is confident the new layout will be a welcome change: “We think we have produced a racetrack of the future,” Hill told the Daily Mail. “It looks like it has the potential to be a real corker.
“We’re living in a really powerful age of British motor racing, and long may that continue as far as Silverstone is concerned.
“What’s been achieved at Silverstone is down to the determination and hard work of a dedicated team.
“But we can’t be complacent – you only have to look across the Channel and see the effects on French motorsport now that it doesn’t have a grand prix any more.”
He added: “We think we have the world’s greatest racetrack and I’m fighting tooth and nail to make sure it stays that way.”
Further upgrades will be added before next year’s race, including a new pit and start/finish grandstand.
