Hamilton warns Liberty Media over Silverstone future

Lewis Hamilton has warned Liberty Media risk stripping "all the history and culture" out of Formula 1 if historic circuits fall off the calendar, paying particular attention to Silverstone, which is yet to secure a spot on the calendar for next year.

Reports have suggested that a deal is close to being signed between Liberty and Silverstone to keep the track on the schedule.

Silverstone's owners enacted a break clause in their F1 contract, citing spiralling hosting costs in the previous deal signed with Bernie Ecclestone which had left them unable to afford hosting the series.

Hamilton has dominated the British Grand Prix in recent years – Sebastian Vettel's Silverstone win last season ended a four-year winning run for the Brit – and the reigning F1 champion says it must remain

"There are some really awesome circuits and Silverstone is one of those," said Hamilton.

"The UK is really amongst the foundation of what this sport is and if you start taking away the legendary races and it's all just new ones, you lose all the history and all the culture which is what Formula 1 is.

"So I truly believe they have to keep Formula 1 in the UK and particularly Silverstone, it's such an awesome track, such an awesome place. One of the biggest turnouts of all season. Can't turn your back on that.

"It wouldn't be bad to have two races in UK, because I think London would be awesome for the country and tourism and all that kind of stuff, such a big noise and event in the world.

"I don't know if it will happen. As long as we have one of them. We have all these great tracks in the UK. Don't know who designed them all but they did a great job."

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