Formula One news

Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign

Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone is believed to have given Silverstone an ultimatum of just two days to sign a contract to retain the British Grand Prix; the event's future continues to hang in limbo after Donington Park missed its final deadline.

With the event originally planned to be moving to Donington, the Leicestershire circuit's failure to be ready in time leaves Silverstone the only possible venue for the race, which is pencilled into next season's calendar for July 11.

The future of Britain's Formula One race is likely to be known by next week

Ecclestone, of Formula One Management (FOM), claims that he is not prepared to negotiate further with circuit owners the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC).

"They say there is not much between us and them, so they should sign," Ecclestone told The Daily Express, referring to comments from BRDC Chairman and 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, who has said a deal is close to being signed.

"Maybe they have lost their pen, but if they don't find it in the next day or two then that is it," Bernie warned. "I will pull the race off the calendar and there will be no British Grand Prix to argue about."

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