Silverstone awaits decision

The fate of the British Grand Prix should be decided any time soon, as the end of September is the deadline for the 2005 calendar to be finalised. The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) has put in an offer to host the event but it falls short of Bernie Ecclestone's demands. The BRDC, owner of the Silverstone circuit, is hopeful that the bid will be accepted.

Welcome to Silverstone.

Photo by Honda F1 Press Office.

"We've made an offer which is very reasonable, based on sane economics," BRDC chief executive Alex Hooten told BBC radio. "We're currently waiting for Mr Ecclestone's reaction to our offer. "It's been a genuine requirement of Mr Ecclestone that he needs to have this matter resolved by Thursday or thereabouts."

"I'm cautiously optimistic. We've made an offer which is a very reasonable offer. It does fall short of what Mr E normally requires, but it is an offer that doesn't offer us any real prospect of making any profit at all on the event. Indeed it exposes us to making a considerable loss."

Silverstone must have secured a promoter to ensure its place on the 2005 calendar but it's yet to be seen if Ecclestone will accept the BRDC's offer. BRDC president Jackie Stewart has met with Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair, but reportedly no financial help has been forthcoming from the government.

The 2005 calendar has to be submitted to the FIA at a Council meeting in October. Earlier this year the FIA released a provisional calendar of 19 races for next season but it's believed the final number of races is likely to be 17. Turkey is expected to join the F1 schedule next year and Silverstone and Imola are the events most under threat of being dropped.