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British Grand Prix future uncertain beyond 2019 as Silverstone activates break clause
Analysis - is this the end of the British GP?
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
Silverstone's decision to end its contract to hold the British Grand Prix after 2019 does not necessarily mean there will not be a British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2020 and beyond.
If that sounds confusing, bear with me.
Silverstone signed a 17-year contract with former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone back in 2009 that meant it had to pay £12m for the race in 2010. But the deal had a 5% annual escalator built into it, and a break clause after 2019.
The fee has now gone up sufficiently that Silverstone cannot continue to hold the race and break even, let alone make a profit. So it felt it had no choice but to exercise the get-out clause, which contractually needed to be done before this year's race.
But Silverstone still wants the British Grand Prix after that date, and Formula 1 still wants one, too. The rub, of course, is that the race does not necessarily have to be held at Silverstone.
Former F1 driver and BRDC chairman Martin Brundle reacted to the news on Twitter
F1's new chairman Chase Carey told BBC Sport this week that it is his "priority" for the event to stay at Silverstone but that there was "interest from other places, other UK options, that would have appeal".
It's not clear what these are, plural. But one of them is a much-rumoured potential street race somewhere in the east of London. Whether that is realistic is a different question.
For Silverstone to continue as host, F1 and the BRDC now have two years or so to try to hammer out a mutually satisfactory deal.
Realistically, this is the most likely option. But as Carey put it: "We are not there today."
Silverstone history 'shouldn't be thrown away'
Nigel Mansell won at Silverstone in 1987, 1991 and 1992 (pictured)
Former world champion Nigel Mansell, who claimed three of his four British GP wins at Silverstone, believes it would be "a very sad day" if the circuit no longer hosted grand prix racing.
"Silverstone has the history of F1," the Briton told BBC Sport.
"They deserve to have the recognition for the historical value the circuit has, which has contributed to some incredible races.
"Hopefully the new F1 owners will review their thoughts and think there is a better value to that than throw it away."
Swami
Analysis - is this the end of the British GP?
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson:
Silverstone's decision to end its contract to hold the British Grand Prix after 2019 does not necessarily mean there will not be a British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2020 and beyond.
If that sounds confusing, bear with me.
Silverstone signed a 17-year contract with former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone back in 2009 that meant it had to pay £12m for the race in 2010. But the deal had a 5% annual escalator built into it, and a break clause after 2019.
The fee has now gone up sufficiently that Silverstone cannot continue to hold the race and break even, let alone make a profit. So it felt it had no choice but to exercise the get-out clause, which contractually needed to be done before this year's race.
But Silverstone still wants the British Grand Prix after that date, and Formula 1 still wants one, too. The rub, of course, is that the race does not necessarily have to be held at Silverstone.
Former F1 driver and BRDC chairman Martin Brundle reacted to the news on Twitter
F1's new chairman Chase Carey told BBC Sport this week that it is his "priority" for the event to stay at Silverstone but that there was "interest from other places, other UK options, that would have appeal".
It's not clear what these are, plural. But one of them is a much-rumoured potential street race somewhere in the east of London. Whether that is realistic is a different question.
For Silverstone to continue as host, F1 and the BRDC now have two years or so to try to hammer out a mutually satisfactory deal.
Realistically, this is the most likely option. But as Carey put it: "We are not there today."
Silverstone history 'shouldn't be thrown away'
Nigel Mansell won at Silverstone in 1987, 1991 and 1992 (pictured)
Former world champion Nigel Mansell, who claimed three of his four British GP wins at Silverstone, believes it would be "a very sad day" if the circuit no longer hosted grand prix racing.
"Silverstone has the history of F1," the Briton told BBC Sport.
"They deserve to have the recognition for the historical value the circuit has, which has contributed to some incredible races.
"Hopefully the new F1 owners will review their thoughts and think there is a better value to that than throw it away."
Swami
