Damon Hill races for Silverstone development

Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill is searching for development partners to build up to 6m sq ft on the 760-acre Silverstone estate in Northamptonshire. Speaking exclusively to EG, Hill, president of the British Racing Drivers Club, confirmed that unless Silverstone can raise the money to upgrade its facilities it will not be granted a new grand prix licence after its current one expires in 2009. The BRDC estimates that it could redevelop the Silverstone estate with a 6m sq ft mixed-use scheme to pay for improvements to the race track, and has started to look for development partners. A 10-acre site, which is zoned for residential development, has already been earmarked for sale, and the sale of a larger 60-acre plot is also being considered. The BRDC had been in negotiations with St Modwen to redevelop the track, but the deal fell through last year when dissident members of the club rallied against the plans.