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Stewart rejects Ecclestone tirade
England, June 19: Sir Jackie Stewart has responded to Bernie Ecclestone`s withering attack on Silverstone by insisting the venue is on course to become one of the world`s leading circuits.
England, June 19: Sir Jackie Stewart has responded to Bernie Ecclestone's withering attack on Silverstone by insisting the venue is on course to become one of the world's leading circuits.
Ecclestone claimed Silverstone's owners had squandered the £45m investment that was aimed at revamping the home of the British Grand Prix.
And the Formula One chief also said the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) had only looked after its own interests and the Northamptonshire track was still an "embarrassment".
Ecclestone pumped in about £15m along with the BRDC and Octagon - the company which holds the rights to the race - in 2001 to change the lay-out of the track and to improve the surrounding facilities.
But three-times world champion Stewart and ex-Le Mans winner Martin Brundle - president and chairman of the BRDC respectively - have accused Ecclestone of double standards.
In a joint statement, the pair suggest Ecclestone's own business interests stop him making similar criticism of rival tracks - and insist the BRDC used the money in the best possible way.
"The attack by Bernie Ecclestone on the efforts we and Octagon (Brands Hatch Circuits) are carrying out to improve Silverstone is totally unwarranted," their statement said. "In close consultation and approval with the FIA, Allsport (management group) and FOM, we abandoned the original scheme for a pit complex in response to pressure from the FIA to get road access right and car parking vastly improved for the Grand Prix in 2002, which we achieved with considerable positive public and customer reaction.
"Following 2002 we have carried out further improvements to the centre of the circuit in relation to better public amenities and we are now working towards an appropriate pit and paddock complex development programme for the future. "We don't hear such attacks on other circuits around the world, some of which Mr Ecclestone has an interest in. "It is unfair in what Mr Ecclestone should regard as his home British Grand Prix at Silverstone that we face this predictable annual criticism."
Bureau Report
"The attack by Bernie Ecclestone on the efforts we and Octagon (Brands Hatch Circuits) are carrying out to improve Silverstone is totally unwarranted," their statement said. "In close consultation and approval with the FIA, Allsport (management group) and FOM, we abandoned the original scheme for a pit complex in response to pressure from the FIA to get road access right and car parking vastly improved for the Grand Prix in 2002, which we achieved with considerable positive public and customer reaction.
"Following 2002 we have carried out further improvements to the centre of the circuit in relation to better public amenities and we are now working towards an appropriate pit and paddock complex development programme for the future. "We don't hear such attacks on other circuits around the world, some of which Mr Ecclestone has an interest in. "It is unfair in what Mr Ecclestone should regard as his home British Grand Prix at Silverstone that we face this predictable annual criticism."
Bureau Report