Currently reading: Damon attacks Silverstone layout

President of BRDC says new Arena circuit is a 'compromise'

Damon Hill has launched a surprising critique of the new 'Arena' track layout that will be used for this year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Hill, who is president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the Northamptonshire-based circuit, told the Daily Mail, that the £5 million re-design is a "frustrating compromise that risks destroying the essence of what brought fans to F1 in the first place".

F1 British GP to run on new track

The new track cuts out the challenging Farm Straight, Bridge and Priory sequence, sending them into the new 'Arena' complez, which has been designed to offer three new overtaking opportunities.

“If you are asking me to say it's fantastic, I'm afraid I am not going to do that. I am not satisfied that we will be providing the best facility we could,” Hill said.

“More money goes out of the sport than comes in. It means we have to be as tight as a duck's backside. We need every penny to survive. You end up having to do things you don't want to. It is very frustrating.

“It is fast, exciting corners that drivers love. It is what fans love. So, it's illogical not to concentrate on developing the sporting challenge. I have the idea of my perfect, fantasy track and that's not what we are building.”

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