Alternative venues quiet over Silverstone news

Bernie Ecclestone appeared pretty unfazed by the potential demise of Silverstone as the continued venue of the British GP, claiming he had "two other offers" to take over the showcase event.

"I'm not going to say where it is," he told ITV.

However, one circuit, Donington, told the Guardian newspaper: "The board has consistently made it clear that we have no intention of bidding for the British Grand Prix."

Another, Rockingham, made a similar comment.

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Brands Hatch, owned by Renault driver Jolyon Palmer's father Jonathan, declined to comment, as did the Circuit of Wales.

The latter venue has big ambitions however as it has already secured Britain's round of the MotoGP championship until 2024, but as the facility located near Ebbw Vale has yet to be built it will run the race at Silverstone.

Speaking to Sky F1 at the 2015 British Moto GP, circuit boss Michael Carrick was open to the idea of staging an F1 race.

"It is an interesting question, but it is not in our business plan, it is not our objective and it is not a decision a circuit can do on its own," Carrick said.

"Protecting the British GP in Britain is our priority. Will it happen in the future? I don't know, the question isn't one for the circuit operator to answer.

"We certainly have designed in flexibility for any eventuality, we are going to run this thing for 120 years, so the reality is you've got to be bullet proof."

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