FORUMula1.com

[Martin]

you could try deMure's suggestion

Bernie has gotten so rich out of this sport he should put something back and turn Silverstone into the Jewel of the F1 calendar...

my argument to that is why should silverstone get special treatment? magny-cour needs an overhaul so should bernie fund that as well? It shouldn't be up to him to bail out tracks in financial trouble. the governments of each country should definetly help costs as grand prix's help the economy with the influx of fans each year

You're right. Bernie wouldn't fund it because it would be of little value to him, but I think that it would be of value to a constructor or major sponsor.
I thinking along the lines of the football 'Emirates' stadium. (Arsenal isn't it?)

and that goes back to my original question of how they would make money throughout the year to pay back the costs of the overhaul? track days and lesser formulas would not even begin to cover the contractor wages. the only option is for the government to help out. if they can spend £3 billion on people running around in circles for 2 weeks then surely this is nothing!

The 'sponsors' need not be repaid, but retain their stake for the benefits described. The trouble is we dont know what the income potential really is, so its hard to discuss accurately.The point is that the government wont be paying - I'm sure of that.

[darwin dali]

I think it would be shooting in their own foot if McLaren bought Silverstone. In this climate with the FIA/WMSC? After ownership transfers to McLaren, I'm sure the FIA/BE/MM find a reason why Silverstone can't host the British GP anymore

[deMuRe]

you could try deMure's suggestion

Bernie has gotten so rich out of this sport he should put something back and turn Silverstone into the Jewel of the F1 calendar...

my argument to that is why should silverstone get special treatment? magny-cour needs an overhaul so should bernie fund that as well? It shouldn't be up to him to bail out tracks in financial trouble. the governments of each country should definetly help costs as grand prix's help the economy with the influx of fans each year

You're right. Bernie wouldn't fund it because it would be of little value to him, but I think that it would be of value to a constructor or major sponsor.
I thinking along the lines of the football 'Emirates' stadium. (Arsenal isn't it?)

and that goes back to my original question of how they would make money throughout the year to pay back the costs of the overhaul? track days and lesser formulas would not even begin to cover the contractor wages. the only option is for the government to help out. if they can spend £3 billion on people running around in circles for 2 weeks then surely this is nothing!

The 'sponsors' need not be repaid, but retain their stake for the benefits described. The trouble is we dont know what the income potential really is, so its hard to discuss accurately.The point is that the government wont be paying - I'm sure of that.

Silverstone Capacity x Ticket Price. That will give you a good start.

Vendors and Caterers, 25% of their revenue goto the event organisers.

Then you will probably need some marketing boffins to put a money figure on brand awareness any potiential sponsors would gain...

All the on track signage goes to one of Bernie's Irish business partners...

[McLaren Fan]

I think it would be shooting in their own foot if McLaren bought Silverstone. In this climate with the FIA/WMSC? After ownership transfers to McLaren, I'm sure the FIA/BE/MM find a reason why Silverstone can't host the British GP anymore

Probably correct. I'm still surprised nothing has been said about the ECUs yet. I was expecting something.

my argument to that is why should silverstone get special treatment? magny-cour needs an overhaul so should bernie fund that as well? It shouldn't be up to him to bail out tracks in financial trouble. the governments of each country should definetly help costs as grand prix's help the economy with the influx of fans each year

Other tracks needed and do need work on them. For example, Spa which we all rate very highly. It had to find the money by itself and was not exempt from being dropped, having to miss a few seasons to make the required changes. So, why should Silverstone get special treatment? Off the top of my head, Magny Cours needs work down to it, so does Albert Park and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve although in bad condition is struggling to cope with Formula One's explosion in popularity since it was built. Ecclestone cannot help Silverstone without Spa feeling aggrived and without the circuits I just mentioned that need repair wanting some help as well.

[Selcouth_Feline]

if they can spend £3 billion on people running around in circles for 2 weeks then surely this is nothing!

And the rest....the current bill stands at around 9.3 billion and I'll bet that figure isn't nearly the amount that it will actually cost....

[racechick]

If Ron owned it you reckon Max and Bernie would hold a GP there? It would be another chance to turn the screws on him!
Great idea though once Bernie and Max disposed of (Any hit men out there?)

[racechick]

I think it would be shooting in their own foot if McLaren bought Silverstone. In this climate with the FIA/WMSC? After ownership transfers to McLaren, I'm sure the FIA/BE/MM find a reason why Silverstone can't host the British GP anymore

Sorry DD only just realised there was a second pageto this thread so you had that thought first

[darwin dali]

Yeah, I've run into the same problem occasionally - dunno what can be done 'bout it (second page lurking).

[mooker]

To be honest, I think the only reaon Bernie's calling for Government backing is because his on/off attitude towards the place would make it a very questionable investment to a private backer. I can't see anyone wanting to invest £25m into the circuit and then have Bernie go and change his mind again.

[racechick]

Yeah, I've run into the same problem occasionally - dunno what can be done 'bout it (second page lurking).

Cant the text box where you write only be displayed on the active page? Just a thought, Im not a techno whizz so this may be impossible I'll shut up now cos I no Im off topic

[8-ball]

Other tracks needed and do need work on them. For example, Spa which we all rate very highly. It had to find the money by itself and was not exempt from being dropped, having to miss a few seasons to make the required changes. So, why should Silverstone get special treatment? Off the top of my head, Magny Cours needs work down to it, so does Albert Park and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve although in bad condition is struggling to cope with Formula One's explosion in popularity since it was built. Ecclestone cannot help Silverstone without Spa feeling aggrived and without the circuits I just mentioned that need repair wanting some help as well.

so why shouldn't the respective governments help pay for it? With LH making F1 more popular than ever its going to be profitable for years and if magny-cour, silverstone etc is dropped because their not repaired then they will be kicking themselves and the potential revenues lost. Even more so in the case of silverstone

[7UpJordan]

I think the track that needs most work on is Barcelona; dig it up and start again or pre-soak the track before a race - it's the most boring track on the F1 calendar currently and is only exciting when it's wet or if Mansell and Senna are going down the start/finish straight wheel-to-wheel.

[McLaren Fan]

I think the track that needs most work on is Barcelona; dig it up and start again or pre-soak the track before a race - it's the most boring track on the F1 calendar currently and is only exciting when it's wet or if Mansell and Senna are going down the start/finish straight wheel-to-wheel.

I agree there. A truly horrible track with one highlight over seventeen years of racing which is as you said.

Other tracks needed and do need work on them. For example, Spa which we all rate very highly. It had to find the money by itself and was not exempt from being dropped, having to miss a few seasons to make the required changes. So, why should Silverstone get special treatment? Off the top of my head, Magny Cours needs work down to it, so does Albert Park and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve although in bad condition is struggling to cope with Formula One's explosion in popularity since it was built. Ecclestone cannot help Silverstone without Spa feeling aggrived and without the circuits I just mentioned that need repair wanting some help as well.

so why shouldn't the respective governments help pay for it? With LH making F1 more popular than ever its going to be profitable for years and if magny-cour, silverstone etc is dropped because their not repaired then they will be kicking themselves and the potential revenues lost. Even more so in the case of silverstone

As I said before, there may be some opposition form the tax-paying public because £25 million could be used to build several hospitals etc. I agree with you, however, that the government could get the money back given the "Hamilton Factor". If I were in power, I'd wait and see if they can get the funding or not and should the proverbial hit the fan I would weigh up the pros and cons of the matter. When you're charged with running a country and people's hard-earned tax money you cannot be irresponsible, so that means just about every government is a failure! Politicians will of course consider whether or not it would benefit their public image.

[deMuRe]

The government will pay if it thinks it will win them votes, until that happens they have more important things to spend their money on...

Winning the Olympic Bid, that wins votes...

[bud]

Olympics is worth the money to the government! huge massive sporting event tgat will bring in millions perhaps billions!