In a move that will ruin many a 'farewell Silverstone' feature, the management of the track are confident the British GP will be back at the track in 2010, after Bernie Ecclestone softened his stance with the track over the weekend.
Despite earlier saying that the British leg of the F1 world tour would never return to Silverstone, even if Donington Park failed to complete it's upgrade work in time for next summer, Ecclestone said this weekend that rather than seeing the British race miss a year, the race will return to Silverstone in 2010 should Donington be found wanting. "We'll be back at Silverstone if things don't work out at Donington," Ecclestone affirmed, "We have got an agreement with Donington and I hope that they can complete the agreement, but if they can't we'll be back at Silverstone."
The move from Silverstone's public enemy number one is likely to be largely a transparant attempt to win round some of F1's fanbase, as the weekend saw an unprecedented surge in support from fans for the breakaway FOTA-led series, but nevertheless the Silverstone bosses have taken heart from Bernie's concession.
Richard Phillips, the Silverstone boss, said that: "We have the best fans in the world and I sincerely hope to see them back at Silverstone next year. There have been growing concerns over Donington Park's ability to host the British Grand Prix, in 2010 and beyond, but comments over the weekend from Mr Ecclestone and the FIA have been reassuring.
"The support from fans over this weekend has undoubtedly had an impact on the way they are viewing the future of the British Grand Prix and Silverstone."
On the issue of whether his track would be able to host the race again should Donington's plans hit the skids, Phillips grinned and said that: "We've said all along that Silverstone is ready to step in if Donington's plans fall over, and that remains the case. Silverstone has never looked so good.
"This year's British Grand Prix was phenomenal, one of the best run and well supported events I have ever worked on, and we're hopeful that we'll see everyone back here next year."
As his words rapidly became muffled as he descended up Silverstone's backside, Phillips signed off by saying that: "The support for Silverstone and the British Grand Prix over the past three days - from fans, drivers and teams - has been overwhelming. The fans have a real affinity with Silverstone and the drivers love coming here.
"It's a fantastic circuit. You just have to look at the attendance figures over the past three days, and Sebastian Vettel's reaction to winning here, to see that Silverstone is a very special place."
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