Belgian GP renewed until 2018, Silverstone reorganizes
A Formula 1 race will be held at Spa Francorchamps for the next four years, as announced by a member of the Belgian government. Additionally, the Silverstone circuit has implemented a new management team.
The Minister of Economy, Jean-Claude Marcourt, has given permission to the organizers of the Belgian Grand Prix to extend the contract related to F1 until 2018. Even though the Grand Prix lost seven million euros during the 2014 edition, Jean-Claude Marcourt believes the renewal has a positive impact on the regional economy.
« There will be a Grand Prix in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, » said Marcourt during a session at the Walloon parliament. Marcourt added that the FIA has not asked for the circuit to make investments to modernize or improve certain aspects – unlike what was requested of the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Canada and the Interlagos circuit in Brazil.
On the England side, the Silverstone circuit has appointed a new management team, named by the owner of the track, the British Racing Drivers’ Club. Three senior executives, including CEO Richard Phillips, were suspended last October to allow for a review of the management structure during the British Grand Prix. Now, the BRDC has announced that Patrick Allen will be the new CEO and will be assisted by Stuart Pringle as the sporting director.
Allen expressed excitement about the development opportunities at Silverstone: Silverstone has great potential to become the most entertaining circuit, and with the support of the team, I believe we can make it the best place to visit. I want our customers to know that they can come to the circuit every weekend of the year and be guaranteed an incredible experience, whether it’s to watch motorsports, attend a music concert, enjoy a food festival, or visit an exhibition.
Philips and the two other suspended executives, Ed Brookes and David Thomson, will leave the company. However, Chairman John Grant believes they have made a significant contribution to the development of the British circuit: « This management team has been instrumental in the significant growth and diversification of Silverstone’s activities during its tenure, during which The Wing [the new F1 paddock, Ed.] was built and the future of the British Grand Prix was secured. I would like to thank them for their contribution to Silverstone and wish them all the best for the future. »
Furthermore, thanks to Lewis Hamilton’s world championship win in 2014, ticket sales for the 2015 British Grand Prix increased by 16% compared to the same period last year.
