MotoGP to replace F1 at Silverstone?

(GMM) BRDC president Damon Hill has denied rumors that Silverstone is trying to secure a round of the MotoGP championship for 2010 due to the risk of losing the formula one race.

The 1996 world champion is however quoted as confirming to the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell that the BRDC, which owns the Northamptonshire venue, will "do our best" to attract MotoGP upon the expiration of the Donington contract.

But Hill insisted: "I see this not as a substitute, but as a complement to formula one."

It emerged late last week that local councilors gave a green light to Silverstone's plans for a new pit and paddock complex.

But despite reports that the council approval was a step towards securing the future of the endangered British grand prix, the BRDC seems no closer to securing the funds to either finance the developments or satisfy Bernie Ecclestone's higher race fees for a new contract.

The current British grand prix deal expires after next year's race.

[Editor's Note: Indianapolis found it could go from losing a lot of money with F1 to making money with MotoGP, so of course Silverstone would consider dropping F1.]