Damon: A race in London would be capital

Damon Hill today claimed that London could host a better British Grand Prix than Silverstone.

Hill believes a round-the-streets race staged in the centre of the capital would be more of a thriller than the threatened grand prix at Silverstone, an ex-wartime bomber base situated in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside.

The former world champion, who won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1994, said: "For Formula One it would be better for the race to be in London.

"I think there is much more excitement connected to a street race than there is to a circuit race.

"Hardened race fans will make the trip to Silverstone, but it is not exactly in an area of dense population like London is. You don't have to tempt people to go to an event in London quite as much as you do to get them to go to Northamptonshire."

Hill, speaking on BBC Radio, admitted he was not surprised by the latest threat to motor racing's most historic grand prix.

"It's not unusual," he said. "Formula One is always putting the squeeze on promoters and everyone.

"It's just economics. You can't keep on propping things up if they're making no money.

"This could be just a negotiating tactic.

But Bernie Ecclestone is serious. He does not believe Silverstone is up to it.

"Given the choice, I think Bernie would prefer it to be in London."

A London race would cost around £100million to put on and earlier this week Ken Livingstone, the London Mayor, told Standard Sport: "I'm still backing a grand prix for London 100 per cent and I would welcome any approach from Formula One, such as hosting a European Grand Prix.

"However, I believe Silverstone makes an important contribution to the continuing success of the UK motor sport industry, which is worth £5billion a year to the UK economy. I am keen for the British Grand Prix to remain there."