Silverstone aims to be best circuit in the world

Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips is intent on turning the British racecourse into the best circuit in the world, he has revealed.

Silverstone signed a new 17-year contract to host the Formula One British Grand Prix last December after Donington Park failed to secure funding for a major refurbishment .

For this weekend’s British Grand Prix, Silverstone has spent over US$7 million on a new layout, the first reconfiguration of the track since 1991.

Phillips said: “We intend to be the best circuit in the world. We will never compete with Abu Dhabi who have built a hotel that lights up in different ways, which is absolutely fantastic.

“But do we have a better circuit than they do? Yeah, I think we do. Do we have better crowds, better atmosphere? Yes, we’ve all those things.

“So we have something they, and a lot of these emerging circuits around the world, will never have. So if we can perfect our track – I’m not saying we’re absolutely there yet – and everything we do build is cutting edge and really spectacular, then why wouldn’t people think we’re the best in the world?”

Phillips went on: “I would say that in somewhere between three and ten years we would hope to achieve our aim. We’re almost emerging again – a rebirth if you like. We’re trying to cover an awful lot of ground in a short period of time. I wouldn’t pretend we are going to achieve it in anything less than that.”