Silverstone deal secures future of British Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix has been saved following a new deal agreed between Silverstone chiefs and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

British GP future to be revealed

Silverstone officials will hold a news conference on Monday amidst reports a deal has been struck for the venue to host next year's British Grand Prix.

Final deadline given to British GP

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has announced that Silverstone circuit organisers must work out an agreement regarding the 2010 British Grand Prix by December 9th, or the country will not be included in next year's championship...  

Todt points out ''importance'' of French GP

During a meeting with French Prime Minister Francois Filion on Monday, FIA President Jean Todt pointed out the "importance" of putting the French Grand Prix back onto the Formula One calendar...  

Mandelson calls for British GP rescue

• 'The British grand prix is important and has to continue'• Mandelson rules out using public monies to support eventBernie Ecclestone, the formula one commercial rights holder, has been urged by Lord Mandelson to ensure the future of the British grand prix at Silverstone.But taxpayers' money will not be used to broker a deal despite the motor racing industry being worth £4bn to the economy.The grand prix was thrown into doubt when the Donington circuit's owners missed a deadline to prove it could raise the £100m it requires to stage the race. Mandelson, the secretary of state for business, said: "The British grand prix is a very important event, it's a much loved British institution and it's got to continue."The whole of motor sport is important, not because of the enjoyment it provides but because it's really important for our economy."It contributes getting up to £4bn to the economy and if you look at the jobs it creates there are 25,000 engineers involved in this sport in Britain, quite apart from 40,000-odd other jobs, so I have a responsibility to retain it and to support the motor sport industry just as I would any other."Mandelson insisted the government would apply pressure for a decision to be resolved but revealed it would not be providing the £12m needed for the race to be held at Silverstone next year. "I'm not in a position to use taxpayers' money to bale out what would be a sort of commercial venture in a very cash-rich sport," he added. "I can't do that, especially during a recession, but he [Ecclestone] has my backing in what he's trying to do."But he also has my pressure to make sure that just by accident we don't lose the grand prix from this country. I don't want to see that and it would damage us; it would damage our sport but it would also damage our economy. All I would say is, 'Come on you guys, get your act together, get your negotiations done and make the British grand prix safe.' "When asked whether he believed the grand prix would take place at Silverstone next year, Mandelson replied: "If I was a betting man I would say, 'Yes.' "British grand prixBernie EcclestonePeter MandelsonSilverstoneFormula OneMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Vettel takes pole at Bahrain GP

Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull has taken the pole position for Formula One's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, while Michael Schumacher will begin his comeback from a disappointing seventh-place finish.