Green light for Silverstone

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be included on Formula One’s draft 2005 calendar when it is published today, according to sources close to the negotiations.

The final details of the contract with Silverstone’s owners have still to be completed but the inclusion of the race ends uncertainty about next year’s British Grand Prix.

The two parties have reached an agreement over money and the only sticking point remains over the contract details.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is understood to be offering a deal for next year which would be followed by further negotiations for the following six years.

The British Racing Drivers’ Club, which owns Silverstone, is trying to persuade him to agree a two-year deal followed by fresh talks on the following five years.