F1 star Webber backs circuit
Formula 1 star Mark Webber has said he believes Bernie Ecclestone will not cancel the British Grand Prix after Silverstone's contract to hold the race runs out.
The Northamptonshire circuit has a contract to hold the race only until next year and Mr Ecclestone has been a long-time critic of Silverstone's facilities.
In recent weeks he has suggested the race could move to Donington.
But Red Bull team racer Mark Webber believes the race will remain at Silverstone.
The Australian said: "We need a British Grand Prix because of the history that surrounds it and the industry that supports it.
"It's so deep-rooted. We've already lost Imola, Suzuka and some others. We can't afford to lose Silverstone, Monza, Spa, circuits like that."
On Silverstone, he added: "It comes in for a lot of criticism from Bernie, but I went up there a few weeks ago and I was just blown away by it. Everything was top dollar. The lawns looked beautiful. The flags were all freshly pressed. I thought 'Wow, they're trying hard'.
"There are always areas you can improve – the garages are tight, for example – but everything else is pretty good. Silverstone is one of the better venues, if not the best venue, at the moment.
"Having said that, I'm sure Bernie is not bluffing with his threats. It's his train set and he can put the rails down as he likes.
"One day he might follow through with what he's saying ... but we've had a British Grand Prix for 60 years and I think Bernie would probably think it would be wrong not to have one."
A sell-out crowd of 90,000 will watch the race at Silverstone on Sunday, with most of them hoping to see Lewis Hamilton score his first Silverstone win.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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