F1 'must' keep Britain on calendar - Heidfeld

Nick Heidfeld on Thursday backed Martin Whitmarsh's view that Britain should not be lost to the Formula One calendar.

With Donington's hopes flailing and F1's talks with Silverstone in deadlock, there is a real possibility that the traditional host country will not be represented on the 2010 schedule.

Heidfeld, standing in the paddock of the splendid and massively state-funded Yas Marina Circuit paddock, told reporters that Britain "must" retain its race.

"Most of the teams are based there, it is really where the home of motor sport is," said the German, whose own future is also in doubt as BMW pulls out after this weekend's season finale.

"I hope we will keep some of the countries that have been there for a long time, but also some of the circuits like Silverstone, which is a fantastic track," he added.

McLaren boss Whitmarsh earlier this week said F1 losing Britain as a Grand Prix host would be "massively damaging" to the sport.

"I'm sure McLaren, all the teams and FOTA will do everything it can to preserve the British Grand Prix in the calendar," he told UK media this week during a team teleconference.