Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has revealed December 9 is the deadline for a deal to be done if the British Grand Prix is to take place next summer.

Plans to switch the race from Silverstone to Donington have fallen through, and talks with circuit owners to try to keep the grand prix at Silverstone have stalled.

Ecclestone said: "They had a contract in place that they could have signed if they'd wanted to but they haven't. At the moment there is no British Grand Prix. I think December 9 is when the Formula 1 commission meet so that's when it will be taken off the calendar. If there's no contract in place there won't be a British Grand Prix."

Ecclestone also revealed he was surprised at world champion Jenson Button's switch to join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season in an all-British team.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme, Ecclestone said: "He (Button) obviously knows what he's doing and he must be satisfied with the arrangements he's got in hand. I must confess I was a little surprised to see it happening.

"I suppose he feels confident enough to take on Lewis and that's it. It's a bit of a task to take on, that's all."

Ecclestone believes the two Britons can work well together, with the faster one becoming the team's number one.

"I think it will work," said Ecclestone. "They're both English guys and understand each other. I don't see a problem at all.

"Lewis isn't the sort of guy that needs pushing so I don't see how it will benefit the team other than they've got two world champions and two super drivers on board. I suppose the number one will be the guy that is the quickest."

Ecclestone, however, dampened down expectation that German legend Michael Schumacher was about to return to the sport with Mercedes, who have taken over the Brawn team, as he added: "I would think it's most unlikely. I don't see any reason why he should. I would be very doubtful it would happen."