F1: Silverstone could end British Grand Prix deal

Silverstone is analyzing the possibility of terminating its contract to host the British Grand Prix early due to the cost of putting on the race.

The current contract runs until 2026, but the chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club, John Grant, has revealed in a letter to the club's members that he is considering activating a break clause that would see the circuit stop hosting the race after the 2019 edition. The BRDC owns Silverstone circuit and agreed to the current deal with Bernie Ecclestone back in 2009 after an attempt to move the race to Donington Park failed.

In the letter to the BRDC members – published in part by ITV News – Grant claims the Club faces "the potentially ruinous risk of a couple of bad years" when it comes to hosting the British round of the Formula 1 World Championship. The chairman points out that "even in a good year, the [race] does not generate enough cash to cover its share of the site overheads."

While Grant is hopeful the arrival of new owners – in the form of Liberty Media – will instigate change in Formula 1, he says it is important the BRDC looks at whether it would be safer to drop the race, with the circuit also hosting rounds of the World Endurance Championship and MotoGP.

"Among other alternatives, the Board is considering whether we should give notice before the 2017 BGP (as required) of our intention to exercise the break clause in the BGP contract at the end of 2019," Grant wrote in the letter. "This is not a simple decision, and we will consider fully all the implications before coming to a conclusion by mid-year."

The British Grand Prix regularly attracts well over 100,000 fans to Silverstone on race day, and in 2016 it was won by defending British champion Lewis Hamilton. This year's edition of the race is scheduled to take place on July 16. As a venue it is the home race for the majority of teams, with eight of the current 11 outfits on the grid having a base within 80 miles of the circuit.

Should Silverstone opt to drop the British Grand Prix, there are currently few alternative options in Britain to host the race. Previous editions of the event – which has been ever-present on the F1 calendar – have been held at Aintree and Brands Hatch.