A report by Joe Saward speculates that the Silverstone Circuit has been leased to a private bidder for a period of up to 100 years.
Such a deal has previously been rejected by the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) in the past, but with recent plans submitted for a major redevelopment of the surrounding areas, a significant cash injection is needed.
The supposed agreed deal is reportedly worth in the region of £245 million ($400m) and would provide the necessary funds to begin construction of the proposed entertainment venues and hotels, as well as permanent grandstands.
Saward also reports that three bidders were interested in the deal, but the successful candidate is a private one with family links to the track and club. He also hints that it may indeed be Bernie Ecclestone who is a BRDC member.
A deal with the Formula 1 rights holder would make commercial sense, given the track recently secured a 17-year deal to host F1 among many other categories, including MotoGP.
It would also give Ecclestone powers to veto any other racing series which might be interested in holding a race at the track, for instance a breakaway series, if such a scenario were to go ahead in the future.
Discussion about this post