Silverstone MD's thinly veiled attack on Circuit of Wales

SILVERSTONE MD Richard Phillips has launched a thinly veiled attack on the Circuit of Wales for moving next year's British MotoGP round to Donington Park.

Phillips has pointed out that the Circuit of Wales has ‘no experience of running a Grand Prix’ and said he hopes the move won’t turn out to be a ‘backwards step’ for teams and fans.

The Circuit of Wales has secured the rights to host MotoGP for 5-10 years. With building of the Ebbw Vale circuit not set to begin until March, bosses had to secure an alternative venue for 2015 and opted for Donington instead of Silverstone, which has hosted the British MotoGP since 2010.

After failing to agree terms with Circuit of Wales bosses, Phillips said: ‘We have invested heavily in the circuit and facilities here at Silverstone, specifically to host MotoGP, and have developed the British Grand Prix into a highly successful event. We wanted to keep MotoGP at Silverstone, but cannot afford to subsidise it. We are extremely disappointed not to be hosting the event in 2015.

‘Any future deal, with Dorna or The Circuit of Wales, had to make economic sense for all parties, including us. We know from experience what it takes to run a high quality British Grand Prix. We made what we considered to be the maximum sensible offer to retain the event at Silverstone, but it seems that The Circuit of Wales, who have no experience of running a Grand Prix, have concluded they can do better running it themselves, using Donington until their circuit is ready.

‘Silverstone has taken the event to a whole new level over the last five years, so we hope this won’t turn out to be a backwards step for the British Grand Prix, teams and fans. The Circuit of Wales evidently believe they can make the finances work using Donington next year – we wish them the best of luck.’