British GP could remain at Silverstone

According to British newspaper, The Independent, the company which now owns Brands Hatch Leisure, Interpublic, is interested in renting the Northamptonshire circuit for three weeks a year - and hosting the event there.

Last year, Brands Hatch Leisure signed a deal with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to host the Grand Prix from 2002.

However, it is thought that Octagon - the sports marketing branch of Interpublic which owns the venue - would like to avoid a fight with Kent council to get planning permission for £40 million worth of renovations to the circuit.

Denys Rohan, managing director of Silverstone, reportedly told the newspaper: 'Silverstone as a venue for the British Grand Prix makes 1,000 per cent more sense than trying to stage it at Brands Hatch.

'To stage it at Brands Hatch and spend £40m in the process has to be a nonsense.'