British Grand Prix Could Remain on FIA Schedule

Topics:  British Grand Prix

VOA Sports
Voice of America
October 6, 2004

The British Grand Prix could be on next year's schedule even though a financial dispute with Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone threatens to derail the race.

The British Racing Drivers' Club is seeking an incentive package from a local development agency near the Silverstone Course.  The move could help the BRDC bridge the $3,000,000 gap with Eccelstone, who has threatened to remove the race next week when the 2005 Formula One calendar is announced.

The British Grand Prix has been contested every year since 1950.  The British government has refused to bail out of the race, preferring that the Grand Prix and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) work out their own differences.

FIA has set aside 19 slots for races in 2005, although teams are only contracted to run 17 races.  Extra competition could be added if the teams are compensated.