Damon Hill: "We need all the support we can get"

THE battle to ensure Silverstone remains the home of the British Grand Prix is gathering support.

Damon Hill, the last British F1 champion in 1996 and now president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) who control Silverstone, said: “I don’t think you can underestimate the effect the grand prix has on the environment, industries, employment and the country.

“We very much hope we can move forward to make Silverstone a place we can be really proud of, not just for the BRDC but also for the UK to beam motorsport and our event around the world. We need all the support we can get. ”

Ecclestone warns British government to help or lose F1 race

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned that Britain could lose the right to hold a grand prix after Silverstone's contract runs out in 2009 and has called on the Government help fund a redevelopment of the ailing circuit.

Ecclestone is to begin negotiations with Silverstone's owners BRDC soon but admits that the current state of the British race is not up to scratch.

"The Government could and should do something to help ensure the BRDC does not lose the F1 event," Ecclestone told the Daily Express.