Silverstone set to retain GP for next two years

21/05/2004

Speaking at a press conference in Monaco today (Friday), FIA President Max Mosley said that he was confident that the British Grand Prix would remain at Silverstone for the next two years.

Although he was unwilling to go into specifics, he said he believed the event was safe for the next two years: "I believe the deal has either been done, or is very close to being done to ensure that the Grand Prix remains for 2005 and 2006," he said.

"The UK government has played a major role in that," he added, "along with the Sports Minister."

If the government has played a part in the deal it remains to be seen what exactly its involvement is, since it is highly unlikely, in light of the many other problems the country is facing, that the future of the Grand Prix is high on its list of priorities.

Then again, the fact is that with the rights having been handed back to Bernie Ecclestone, together with an exceedingly generous compensation package, the F1 supremo could well afford to give the race to Silverstone for a couple of years, free of rights costs, in order that the money saved is invested in the improvements he is demanding.

As for the prospects of a London Grand Prix, Mosley was quick to respond: "The chances of having a grand prix in London are nil," he said, "but I won't stop them putting in a bid."