Formula One: Silverstone Still Under Threat, Says Mosley

Max Mosley has warned that the British grand prix could lose its place on the 2005 world championship schedule if a promoter is not in place to run the race when the provisional calendar for the season is published next month.

The FIA president was speaking here yesterday at the end of a week in which the British Racing Drivers' Club made an offer to promote the race at Silverstone for which it says it has yet to receive a response from Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's commercial rights holder.

"It has to be a possibility that we could lose the British grand prix," said Mosley. "There has to be a promoter in place and he has to sign a contract with Mr Ecclestone. If they offer substantially less than the rate for the job then he is entitled to say no. We can't put a race on the calendar unless a contract to promote it is in place."

For his part Ecclestone insists he has replied to the BRDC, which owns the circuit. "They know what the conditions are and if they want to sign we'll sign now. Maybe there might be another promoter and the BRDC will simply remain as the landlords."

However the BRDC chairman Ray Bellm told Radio Five Live yesterday that he was still waiting to hear from Ecclestone and maintained the offer made was perfectly reasonable.

The BDRC also believes that Ecclestone has been paid his fee for the next three British grands prix under the terms of the severance deal from the American Interpublic group which earlier this year paid him over £50m to surrender their own obligations to promote the race.

Mosley also warned there was no doubt that a new breed of less powerful 2.4-litre V8 engines would be introduced in 2006 on safety grounds, despite objections from several teams.

"There is no debate that the cars are too fast. I don't think anyone seriously suggests that they are not and, that being the case, they need to be slowed."