Silverstone chief: Ferrari can be persuaded

The British Racing Drivers’ Club are “pretty confident” Ferrari can be persuaded to agree to cost-cutting measures intended to save the British Grand Prix.

All but one of the 10 Formula One teams agreed with rights holder Bernie Ecclestone to bear the cost of two extra races by cutting testing by 50% last night with only Ferrari – the sport’s dominant team – left to give their assent.

But Alex Hootton, chief executive of the BRDC who own Silverstone, told Radio Four’s Today programme: “Next year there will be 19 races, which is two more than the teams are obligated to go to.

“In order to accommodate that Mr Ecclestone, I believe, has reached an accommodation whereby he will pay them fees to turn up to two extra races and the teams have added their contribution to it by agreeing to a range of cost-cutting measures.

“The only word of caution is that Ferrari were once again not present and their compliance would be required to make this work.

“Let me put it this way: we understand from the teams themselves that they are pretty confident Ferrari will come along.”