Warwick steps down as BRDC President

Warwick succeeded 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill as president of the BRDC, which owns Britain’s Formula 1 host circuit Silverstone, in August 2011.

He told BRDC members and the board last year that he intended to step down, which he did formally during the club’s annual general meeting at Silverstone on Wednesday.

Monte Carlo Rally winner Paddy Hopkirk, 84, has been elected his replacement.

A BRDC statement said Warwick “received a standing ovation from members in recognition of everything he has done for the club” and that the 63-year-old has been “elected as a vice president”.

During his time as BRDC president Warwick has been instrumental in the safeguarding and development of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, helped Silverstone retain Britain’s MotoGP round and fought to keep it on the F1 calendar amid rising hosting fees.

Earlier this year, the BRDC triggered a break clause in its contract with F1 to host the British GP after the 2018 edition, although the club wants to negotiate a fresh deal for future seasons.

As a driver, Warwick started 147 Formula 1 races over a 10-year grand prix career and won both the Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Sportscar Championship with Peugeot in 1992.

Hopkirk has been a BRDC member since 1965, was director from 1993 to 2002 and has acted as vice-president since 2006.

He became a member based on his racing successes, not his multiple rally victories, after class wins at Le Mans, Sebring, the Targa Florio and other events.