British Grand Prix promoter Rob Bain announced his resignation on Monday after criticism of the running of Sunday's race at Silverstone by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone. In a statement the Octagon Motorsports Group's British chief executive confirmed: "It is disheartening to hear gratuitous outside comments about the event, and I do not wish them to overshadow what the team has achieved." The statement did not mention Ecclestone, who controls Formula One's commercial operations, or point the finger at any individuals.
But on Monday, Ecclestone sparked a row with Bain after criticising the organisers of the race because he was unable to gain access to the circuit on Sunday. "It's totally disorganised," he was quoted as saying in the Evening Standard newspaper. "It's worse this year than it has ever been. The public here are treated in a very shabby way. The people are paying a lot of money to be looked after, and it isn't happening. We (Formula One) put in £20 million pounds and it still hasn't happened. They say they built new roads to make it easier but there are no signs and cars are everywhere, going in the wrong direction. If their contract was up next year, I wouldn't get too excited about it. I've driven all around the perimeter and the only sign I've seen was one reading 'Silverstone exit'. That says it all."
Octagon have the rights to promote the race at Silverstone for 15 years after leasing the circuit from the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC). The company embarked on a major road building programme before this year's race at the circuit, which has been plagued by congestion and traffic chaos for decades. They have spent £10 million and are planning a major revamp of circuit facilities by the 2003 grand prix.
"Was it our fault that he did not request a driver to come across from Silverstone to fetch him?," the Standard quoted Bain as responding. He continued: "His car approached the circuit without displaying any passes. Was it our fault he did not request circuit passes? Or that he did not request advice on a route? We don't allow vehicles at the south end of the circuit, just customers on foot. So obviously his car moved slowly through the pedestrians. If he had gone along the improved (road) to the main entrance he would have got in far quicker. I respond well to fair criticism. I'm the first person to stick my hand up if things go wrong. But if it's unfair, I feel quite strongly about it. This is unfair."
Sunday's race, won yet again by championship leader Michael Schumacher, won plaudits from other officials, including the International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley.
Filed by Shane Murray
