Despite the party atmosphere at Silverstone over the weekend, the mood flattened just a little by Sebastian Vettel's defeat of Lewis Hamilton, the fact remains that, as it currently stands, after next year's race the iconic British circuit falls from the calendar.

Despite a long term contract which secured the race until 2026, it finally dawned on the circuit's owners - the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) - that the deal agreed with Bernie Ecclestone which included an annual 5% increment, meant that by the end of the contract what had begun as an £11.5m fee would have risen to £25m.

Unable to agree new terms, and faced with mounting losses, ahead of last year's race the BRDC took advantage of a clause which allowed it to terminate the contract early, leaving 2019 as the final race.

While the sport's new owners are adamant that they want to keep Silverstone on the calendar, to accept a lesser fee would send a clear signal to other tracks. Furthermore, FOM has made no secret of its desire to take the sport into "destination cities", and where better than London.

Speaking at Silverstone yesterday, F1's technical boss Ross Brawn, insisted that the sport is keen to keep Silverstone on the calendar but that talks must be kept secret, the Briton accusing the BRDC of playing out the saga in front of the media.

"I'm sure we're going to find a solution because we cannot leave this behind," he told Sky Sports, as he gestured to the crowd.

"The frustration is the negotiations are taking place in public," he continued. "Every circuit we deal with, we do it quietly and get on with it, but for some reason Silverstone chooses to make everything public, which causes more difficulties. But we'll find a solution."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Pete, 09/07/2018 14:10

"What I find most ridiculous is the race, make that procession, in Monaco is free!!!"

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2. Posted by Editor, 09/07/2018 12:08

"@ johnfaganwilliams

Sadly Ross has been doing politics from the moment he took the Liberty Media 'shilling'."

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3. Posted by johnfaganwilliams, 09/07/2018 12:03

"Absurd comment from Ross. I'm a member of the BRDC and talk regularly to Stuart Pringle and John Grant on a variety of matters and I've no idea at all what's going on. Hope this excellent man isn't beginning to do politics....."

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4. Posted by Editor, 09/07/2018 11:39

"@ imejl99

"Rumor is Miami hosting fee will be for free"

No rumour, we've reported a number of times that FOM will host the event in associatipon with Stephen Ross who owns the Miami Dolphins."

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5. Posted by imejl99, 09/07/2018 11:09

"Silverstone, racing festival at full capacity crowd, with all tradition and history is in danger. Yet, we will be treated with scenic frames of Miami skyline like watching intro of CSI:Miami for 2 hours, with same excitement. Rumor is Miami hosting fee will be for free. "

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Brawn calls for privacy on Silverstone talks

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