Thursday, April 7, 2011

Silverstone now 'equals world's best'

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Silverstone's new pit and paddock complex will put the British Grand Prix circuit up there with the world's best, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said on Monday.

It may even satisfy the demands of Formula One's highly-critical commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, the championship-winning boss told reporters after touring the facility.



"I think it's fantastic. I think it puts Silverstone right with the best circuits in the world. It's quite staggering the scale of what's been built here in a very short space of time," he said.

"It gives the circuit a whole new feel and dimension to it.

"It takes a lot to impress Bernie but I think he will be very pleased," added the Briton when asked how he expected the 80-year-old to react.

"He's obviously given the circuit a bit of flak over the last few years which, if that's helped trigger this investment, has been worthwhile.

"The facility that Silverstone will enjoy will be comparable with any in the world and it will be a great pleasure to come here. I think it will have a new feel to it."

Ecclestone's regular warnings to Silverstone had become something of an annual ritual until 2009 when the former World War Two airfield, which hosted the first championship grand prix, secured a 17-year contract for the race.

He has famously likened Silverstone to a dilapidated old house, or a country fair masquerading as a world event, and threatened to axe the race unless improvements were made.
Would-be race hosts were told to visit to see how not to do it.

Owners the British Racing Drivers Club have since spent around 27 million pounds ($43.6 million) on the new "Silverstone Wing" pit building, to be opened on May 17, with the entire two-year programme of track improvements amounting to 40 million pounds.

Horner said the all-new pit lane entry, with a fast approach to a tight corner before entering the pits, could be tricky – particularly for top end teams like Red Bull.

"It looks as if it is going to be a real challenge for the drivers," he said.

"The driver is going to have to let you know he is in the pitlane because otherwise he could arrive quite quickly without you seeing him. Communication will be the key."

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