Business is Business, but isn't British Better?

I’ve watched with amazement the drama that is surrounding the prospect of no British Grand Prix for 2010, wondering if someone is going to come to their senses anytime soon.  By someone, of course, I mean Bernie Ecclestone.

Now it’s quite obvious for anyone to see that Donnington is not ready to host a Grand Prix in 2010, however good ol’ Bernie seems to think that Donnington’s failure means the British GP’s slot is now up for sale to the highest bidder.  Ok, ok, this is business at the end of the day, and a very profitable business it is as well…for Bernie. 

But there are some traditions, Monaco for example will never be dropped from the racing calendar…it holds too much heritage.  Well excuse me for saying, but not only are the majority of F1 teams based in Britain, providing British engineering, design and marketing jobs, but we’ve also fronted the two most recent World Champion drivers!

Button has just won the WDC, Brawn have just won the Constructors Championship, Hamilton will hopefully be back on form next year in a McLaren, the Red Bull cars will be fighting up there as well…all these teams are based in the UK in case you didn't realise.

Britain is at the forefront of F1, and Bernie is prepared to give away the British Grand Prix just because another country is offering him more money.  Silverstone is sitting there, patiently waiting to be given the go-ahead to run the 2010 Grand Prix, and the main question that has to be asked is, would people prefer to see, and would the drivers prefer to race around the historic Silverstone circuit or  go to a circuit in a random country with no F1 involvement other than a large cheque in Bernie’s back pocket?

Business is business, but with two British World Champions driving for British teams and a whole host of other British-run teams, should some things not be sacred?