BRDC optimistic for Silverstone

The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) is optimistic about the future of the British Grand Prix after the meeting between team bosses and Bernie Ecclestone this week. In return for a reduction of in-season testing, the teams have agreed to a 19 race calendar in 2005, which will include Silverstone and Magny Cours in France.

"We haven't opened the champagne yet," BRDC chief executive Alex Hooton told BBC Radio. "But it sounds as if the teams and Mr Ecclestone have put together some pretty constructive proposals."

Ferrari was absent from the London meeting and has not yet indicated whether it will agree to the revised proposal of cutting in-season testing to 24 days. The other parties involved seem optimistic that Ferrari will present no argument but, understandably, Hooton won't breathe easy until the matter is concluded.

"The only little word of caution is that I believe Ferrari once again were not present at Tuesday's meeting and their compliance would be required to make this work," he commented. "But we understand the teams themselves are pretty confident Ferrari will come along."

The other consideration is the BRDC and Ecclestone sealing their own deal for the Club to promote the Silverstone race. "We're obviously waiting to get the written proposal from Mr Ecclestone," said Hooton. "It's all got to be done before 10 December when the world council meets in Monaco to ratify the final calendar."

Ecclestone himself believes everything will be concluded satisfactorily. "Don't worry about Silverstone, we will deal with Silverstone," he remarked, according to the Jaguar website. "We have the most difficult part (sorted out), the most important part was getting the teams to agree to go to 19 races."