As the squabble over the future of the British GP continues, it has been suggested that Silverstone could still host a Formula One race in 2005, but the event would not count towards the world championship.

With the British Racing Drivers' club (BRDC), owner of Silverstone, and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone having apparently reached stalemate, the Englishman has suggested that the teams might be persuaded to race at Silverstone - for a reduced fee - but that the race would not count towards the championship. This of course would shift the onus on to the teams.

"We have heard suggestions we may have a non-championship round," BRDC chief executive Alex Hooton, told BBC Five Live. "That would have attractions as we wouldn't have to pay the fees to Formula One but there is nothing definite on that."

The BRDC is meeting today (Thursday), and Hooton admitted that the future of the British Grand Prix will be top of the agenda.

"It is a normally scheduled one (meeting) but we will be discussing the grand prix at the top of the agenda. We will have a progress report to see whether we can continue discussions which were ongoing yesterday.

"I'm not sure he doesn't want to hold a British Grand Prix," added Hooton, referring to Ecclestone. "All we can do is make the circuit available and offer a fee that is affordable to ourselves and make improvements here that can assure the long-term future of the grand prix at Silverstone."