Ecclestone slates Silverstone 'old boy' bosses

And he said Britain's premier motor racing venue built on a former World War II airfield was 'a bit tired and Battle of Britain'.

In a joint announcement in Monaco and Kent today Brands Hatch owner Nicola Foulston announced she had been awarded the contract to stage the British Grand Prix from 2002.

As the news caused ructions throughout British motor sport Ecclestone had stinging words of criticism for those who currently run the Grand Prix.

'It is basically still run like a big club race. They've built new grandstands, at last, but in general it still looks a bit tired and Battle of Britain. I could run it at Biggin Hill if I wanted that,' he said.

Ecclestone, who as head of F1's exclusive marketing arm, the FOA, awards all F1 contracts worldwide, said he had chosen Foulston after the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) had refused to renew a long-running deal with him.

'They didn't want to sign a contract. I offered them one but they believe they can't produce the sort of revenue she is going to have to do,' he said.

'She seems an up together person who will do what we wanted to do. She's committed, she has to be, she's commercial. Not like the old boys who can do what they like.'

He said the deal had effectively secured the future of Formula One in Britain.

'We've entered into an agreement which has saved the British Grand Prix. If we hadn't, those people [the BRDC] wouldn't have signed a contract with us and there wouldn't have been a race in Britain - that's 100 per cent certain.'

The cynics suggest that the announcement is merely a powerplay after Foulston, backed up by Ecclestone, had been frustrated in attempts to gain control of Silverstone.

'We've got a deal with Brands and if, by chance, she secures a deal with Silverstone then it will be at Silverstone. I don't care which one it's at,' Ecclestone said in Monaco.

Other things aside the deal hinges on the Kent circuit getting planning permission but Foulston and Ecclestone are confident that will be forthcoming. The circuit plans have already been approved by the FIA for safety.