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Mansell, Hill lash back at Brundle`s accusation
Silverstone, July 10: Former world champions Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill have hit back at claims that they do not do enough to safeguard the future of the British Grand Prix. The response came after Martin Brundle said the pair should use their standing to help the event.
Silverstone, July 10: Former world champions Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill have hit back at claims that they do not do enough to safeguard the future of the British Grand Prix. The response came after Martin Brundle said the pair should use their standing to help the event.
Both men said their success on the track in the past had helped raise the profile in the event, while Mansell added that he was too busy to help out Silverstone's owner the British Racing Drivers' Club.
Hill, though, admitted that he could do more to support the campaign to secure the race on the Formula One calendar in the face of the threat from other countries.
Hill said: "Of course I hope it stays on the calendar, but it has to pay its way. "Martin volunteered to do that job and is doing it very well. Maybe he has a point about support, but it is something we need to discuss more," the 1996 world champion told the Daily Express.
Mansell, though, was defiant. "My diary is packed and for one Silverstone event I was given six days' notice. I am patron of a cancer society in the Isle of Man and on the day of the Silverstone meeting I was there with a lot of people raising money.
"I can't break that kind of appointment."
He added: "Martin should have checked. I admire all the work he has been doing, but I can't just speak out when I want because, while he is the president [of the BRDC], I am just a club member."
Brundle fits his commitments as chairman of the BRDC around his other roles as an ITV commentator, David Coulthard's manager, and running his own business. Brundle said on Monday: "Damon and Nigel could have come and helped in this campaign - let's not beat up on Silverstone constantly, let's give it some support.
"The BRDC was there for us when we were coming up. A lot of the guys took the glory and the adulation and now it's time to put something back."
Fellow former F1 driver Mark Blundell added: "It's one of the disappointments for us that there isn't more support from our exclusive club - other former F1 drivers - who have got a great deal out of the sport.
"I don't think you should have to directly approach them. No-one asked us. We're here because we want to support motorsport and the British GP, to put something back into the sport."
Bureau Report
Both men said their success on the track in the past had helped raise the profile in the event, while Mansell added that he was too busy to help out Silverstone's owner the British Racing Drivers' Club.
Hill, though, admitted that he could do more to support the campaign to secure the race on the Formula One calendar in the face of the threat from other countries.
Hill said: "Of course I hope it stays on the calendar, but it has to pay its way. "Martin volunteered to do that job and is doing it very well. Maybe he has a point about support, but it is something we need to discuss more," the 1996 world champion told the Daily Express.
Mansell, though, was defiant. "My diary is packed and for one Silverstone event I was given six days' notice. I am patron of a cancer society in the Isle of Man and on the day of the Silverstone meeting I was there with a lot of people raising money.
"I can't break that kind of appointment."
He added: "Martin should have checked. I admire all the work he has been doing, but I can't just speak out when I want because, while he is the president [of the BRDC], I am just a club member."
Brundle fits his commitments as chairman of the BRDC around his other roles as an ITV commentator, David Coulthard's manager, and running his own business. Brundle said on Monday: "Damon and Nigel could have come and helped in this campaign - let's not beat up on Silverstone constantly, let's give it some support.
"The BRDC was there for us when we were coming up. A lot of the guys took the glory and the adulation and now it's time to put something back."
Fellow former F1 driver Mark Blundell added: "It's one of the disappointments for us that there isn't more support from our exclusive club - other former F1 drivers - who have got a great deal out of the sport.
"I don't think you should have to directly approach them. No-one asked us. We're here because we want to support motorsport and the British GP, to put something back into the sport."
Bureau Report