Brawn wants Silverstone to keep contract talks under wraps

Formula 1 is hopeful of extending Silverstone's British Grand Prix contract beyond 2019, but talks must remain secret insists F1 executive Ross Brawn.

This weekend's event was a resounding success with an estimated 140,5600 fans attending the British Grand Prix, according to a report from Reuters.

Silverstone's initial contract with Formula 1, brokered by former supremo Bernie Ecclestone, was set to run until 2026.

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But rising costs linked to an annual 5 percent increase of Silverstone's franchise fee took their toll on the BRDC, the circuit's owners, deciding the venerable motorsport institution to exercise last year its right to a break clause allowing for a premature end to the deal.

Asked by Sky F1 on Sunday about the prospects of keeping the British Grand Prix on the calendar, Brawn offered an optimistic response, but with one caveat.

"I’m sure we’re going to find a solution with Silverstone because we cannot leave this behind," he said.

"The frustration is the negotiations are taking place in public," he added.

"Every circuit we deal with, we do it quietly and get on with it, but for some reason Silverstone chooses to make everything public, which causes more difficulties. But we’ll find a solution."

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