Silverstone off the hook - with conditions…

The FIA World Council, motorsport's decision-making body, heard representations from Silverstone Circuits Ltd and the Motor Sports Association at its meeting in Warsaw today (June 21). The FIA has asked for the Northamptonshire circuit to submit plans showing how it will work with the police to ensure no repetition of the problems that culminated in the water-logged public car parks shutting for Saturday qualifying and thousands failing to gain entry on raceday, due to traffic chaos.

Silverstone must also detail how ticket-holders unable to enter the circuit have been compensated, while the FIA safety delegate has to confirm that changes proposed to the circuit's existing race control procedures have been implemented. The circuit has to satisfy the FIA's conditions at the next meeting of the World Council, to be held on October 4, or be struck from the calendar.

Making the task more difficult, the FIA has not moved the race back to its traditional July slot, but has once again pencilled it in for May 13 - just three weeks later than this year's Easter Sunday date.

An official statement from the Motor Sports Association said: "The Motor Sports Association, Silverstone Circuits and the British Racing Drivers' Club accept the conclusions.

"The conditions attached to next year's British Grand Prix are indeed those which Silverstone itself would have carried out in any event.

"All the provisions will be completed in good time for the next meeting of the World Motor Sports Council in October."