F1: Promoters hope investment can help save Grand Prix

The promoters of next year's British Grand Prix have announced a £10.6m investment in improving traffic flow and car parking at Silverstone in a bid to convince race bosses not to cancel the event.

The sport's governing body, the FIA, are due to decide on Friday if the British round of the world championships is ditched in favour of a race in France.

But Octagon Motorsports, who plan to promote the Silverstone race on behalf of the British Racing Drivers' Club, have tried to pre-empt the FIA's announcement by releasing details of changes they hope will secure the British GP for next year.

Octagon had previously announced a £40m Masterplan to upgrade Silverstone in conjunction with the BRDC and F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone, but have decided to announce the changes just days before the FIA deliver their decision.

Their plans include improving access roads, circuit entrances and car parking, as well as introducing a park and ride scheme.

A Silverstone bypass is currently under construction and Octagon plan to add to existing lanes around the circuit to improve the flow of traffic to and from the bypass.

As well as improving internal access and traffic flow Octagon also plan to manage traffic flow to an from the circuit better.

Octagon Motorsports' chief executive Rob Bain said: "The £10.6m investment is already well under way and we have always placed emphasis on improving facilities for public access to Silverstone.

"Since we announced our plans ahead of this year's grand prix, all parties have agreed to revise the Masterplan, so as to give greater emphasis to the substantial improvements relating to both access and parking.

"We are determined to ensure that the investment pledged by all parties will secure Silverstone's future within international motorsport."