Ecclestone rules out London GP

Ecclestone has long talked about the possibility of moving the British Grand Prix to London, and speculation about such an event increased in the wake of the Regent's Street F1 demonstration in 2004.

However, in an interview with paddock newspaper The Red Bulletin on Friday, Ecclestone has said that plans for an event in London have now been shelved.

"I spoke about it with the mayor a couple of years ago, I think," said Ecclestone. "He was very supportive. But we came to the conclusion that it would be too expensive."

Ecclestone said that his discussions about a race in London did not even go as far as asking the government for financial assistance.

"Didn't ask," he said. "I mean, they didn't want to do anything for Silverstone, so I don't know whether they'd want to do something for this."

When asked whether he would pursue the London Grand Prix idea in the future, Ecclestone said: "Oh no. I've got too many other things to think about."

Ecclestone's belief that the London Grand Prix idea is now dead will be a boost to Silverstone, who are hoping to extend their contract to host the British GP beyond 2009.