INTERVIEW - Vatanen defends traditional F1 venues

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Ari Vatanen says he will do all he can to keep Silverstone and other traditional grands prix on the Formula One calendar if he is elected head of the sport's world governing body next month.

"I am not against Donington but I am for Silverstone because I don't see it as a sensible move from an overall point of view to go to Donington," the former world rally champion told Reuters on Friday.

"I am in favour of course of some new races -- the Singapore night race or anything like that -- because we need to renew ourselves," added the Finn, who stands against former Ferrari boss Jean Todt on Oct. 23 to succeed Max Mosley as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

"But if we go to the places where the tribunes are empty and at the same time traditional fans of F1 don't have a race, there's something wrong.

"The fact that Silverstone may not have a race, Hockenheim may not have a race next year, France may not have a race...it means we are alienating the traditional customers and fans and it is not so easy to win them back," said Vatanen.

The Formula One calendar is drawn up by commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone who then presents it to the FIA for approval.

Vatanen agreed that the FIA had to stay out of the commercial arena but said the calendar was in the general interest and had to be discussed with all parties.