Bernie pulls out of GP talks

Although the race had been given a provisional slot on the official 2005 calendar issued by the sport's governing body, the FIA, last week, it now appears Ecclestone has lost his patience and is no longer willing to keep talks going with Silverstone's owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC).

Speaking to British newspapers on Wednesday, Ecclestone said: "We have to admit defeat and end the discussions. It looks certain there will not be a British GP in 2005. We have been unable to reach agreement on the length of the commitment or the financial terms."

Ecclestone went on to claim that blame for the event not taking place next year should be laid firmly at the feet of the BRDC.

"You can't sell something to people who don't want to buy and I don't think the BRDC wanted to take the risk of having a grand prix," he explained. "As much as I would like to have a British Grand Prix, I have done more than I have for any other race in the world to try to keep it on.

"But I cannot make a deal without the other side and I have to move on. This is not the British Formula 1 Championship, it is a world championship."

Ecclestone added that there was a chance the British round may never re-appear on the calendar, especially because other countries were vying to grab slots on the calendar.

"What could I do? I have got an offer from another country who are looking to build a lovely venue and invest a lot of money in Formula 1 - and they will pay the going rate. I have to give them a year's notice to go ahead. If I miss that because I am still messing about with the BRDC, I would be keeping out a country that desperately wants to be in the Formula 1 world championship."

More to follow.