Team bosses keen to retain British GP

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Northamptonshire track remains the only viable option for Britain to continue its hosting of what is officially the oldest race on the calendar following Donington Park's demise as a replacement venue.

Red Bull's Christian Horner, Ross Brawn and Bob Bell, currently the acting boss at Renault, are all hoping a deal can be struck and - asked if he disagreed with Ecclestone's comment - Horner replied: "Absolutely. Silverstone and the British Grand Prix is a very important and significant part of the calendar."

Silverstone Holdings managing director Richard Phillips met with Ecclestone in Abu Dhabi on Friday in a bid to reach a compromise on their contract stalemate.

The major bone of contention is understood to be a seven per cent escalator clause on the initial £12million deal that would result in Silverstone paying double that amount after 10 years.

Understandably, there is serious concern amongst the teams as to the future of the race, with McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh earlier this week voicing his thoughts.

Horner added: "It's a historic race that has been there since the start of the world championship.

"It's a great circuit, the drivers love it, it's a local grand prix to probably more than 50% of the teams.

"I really and sincerely hope, now the Donington bid has stumbled, a solution can be found between Silverstone and FOM (Ecclestone's Formula One Management).

"I'm sure every effort is being made to achieve that. Certainly, we would see Silverstone as a great loss from the calendar should it not be there in 2010."