16/11/2004
NEWS STORY
A week after the meeting of the team bosses at which the (short-term) future of the British Grand Prix appeared to have been settled, with Bernie Ecclestone declaring that he would be - wait for it again - "shattered and disappointed if the British GP didn't take place", the fate of the event remains undecided.
Despite reports that Ecclestone was to become the promoter of the event, and the assurance of, Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn, the event's fate remains hanging in the balance.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Ecclestone subsequently sent his proposal, but the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) discovered that it was the same proposal that it had already rejected.
Whereas the BRDC wants a guarantee that it will host the race for the next two years - in order to put in place the proposed overhaul of the facility, Ecclestone is only offering one year, with a further six-year option.
According to the report, Ecclestone's deal - should the BRDC accept it - would end up costing the circuit £14.6m after six-years.
At present there is no British Grand Prix in 2005, though the BRDC will meet on Thursday (18 Nov) to discuss the proposal.
Contacted by Pitpass this morning, a spokesperson for Silverstone said: "Talks with Mr Ecclestone continue.
"There is still no agreement on who is to be the promoter of next year's British Grand Prix," they added, "and a contractual financial relationship has not been agreed between the BRDC and FOM."
All of which belies the claims in recent weeks that it is Ferrari that stands in the way of the British and French events.