The new Silverstone circuit to be used for F1 will be ‘great’ according to John Rhodes, senior associate of architecture company Populous, who are designing Silverstone’s new F1 and MotoGP circuit. Rhodes told Autosport:

“It will be a whole new life for the track, and maybe move it back to how Silverstone used to be – a really, really fast circuit.

“We have looked at introducing much more topography and things like that, but it is very difficult because you have to go with what the site is – in essence it is an ex airfield.

“I think we’ve got the right solution – and if we can really bring back the essence of what Silverstone is – a very, very fast circuit, smooth and flowing, it will be great.

“Certainly, even in the short term, the spectator experience will be a lot better. Obviously we have the opportunity to relocate grandstands that have been there for an age and really shake the thing up a bit. It is not about creating something new but about bringing a freshness to focus on what it is all about.”

Originally the 2010 British Grand Prix was due to be held at Donington Park, but the circuit failed to raise the funds required, and at the eleventh hour, Silverstone stepped in to save the traditional race.

Rhodes is unsure whether the 2010 British Grand Prix will be raced around the new ‘Arena’ circuit. He continued:

“To be honest, I don’t know. I would be surprised if it happened [for F1 in 2010]. It is the MotoGP circuit, and from our point of view it is going to be finished by March and we have to deliver it now – that is the key thing. The programmes are coming up quickly now.”

Concept images of the new ‘Arena’ circuit are now in our gallery.