According to British tabloid The Sun, 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell could be the British Grand Prix' saviour.

It's reported that the Birmingham born driver is heading a group of wealthy businessmen which is putting a "rescue package" together.

"There will be a major announcement on this matter very shortly," he said, "and all I can say before then is that there has been an exciting development that I am very proud to be part of.

"It will mark a very important step forward and everyone involved believes that it could mean Grand Prix racing continuing in this country, which of course it must as the birthplace of the sport.

"The final details of the package are being pored over by our legal team," he added, "and once they give us the go-ahead, we will go public."

Mansell is one of a number of British drivers to have expressed outrage at the axing of Silverstone. However it should be pointed out that when the 1992 champion appeared at the annual Coys Festival at Silverstone a couple of years back, the event never recovered again financially. One only has to ask, why Mansell has never appeared at either the Goodwood Festival of Speed or the Goodwood Revival Meeting.