Ecclestone calls government to help BRDC

"The Government could and should do something to help ensure the BRDC does not lose the F1 event," Ecclestone told the Daily Express.

"We are supposed to be the home of motorsport and yet all the other countries around the world have managed to build circuits to be proud of when you see them on television. Britain has not and it is not my fault.

"The Government is bringing the Olympics here because they say the Games will help generate a vast amount of money ultimately for the country. Perhaps they could loan some of that to Silverstone to be repaid when the new circuit is making a lot of money.

"Frankly, I am fed up talking about Silverstone. When I do a deal with other countries, we sign and it gets built," Ecclestone added.

Silverstone's deal to host the race lasts until 2009, but contract renewal discussions are not expected to be easy, with Ecclestone having insisted that the track will need a major face-lift to be up to the current standards.

The British Racing Drivers' Club are still hoping for approval of their major redevelopment plan for the circuit.

"I keep hearing about phase this and phase that, but I don't see anything built there yet," added Ecclestone. "I hope they get their act together. If someone comes up with the agreement we want there will be a British Grand Prix after 2009.

"I don't care who comes up with that, but if we cannot strike a deal there are a lot of other countries desperate to have a race."