Silverstone to go public on changes...

The changes come in the wake of extensive criticism of the infrastructure and facilities of the circuit, which is due to host the British GP for the next 15 years as part of a recent deal between circuit owners the British Racing Drivers Club and Octagon, which holds the rights to the race.

After the parking debacle of last year, which saw car parks turn to mudbaths from torrential rain, the powers that be were quick to criticise. Max Mosley, president of motorsport's governing body, the FIA, said the circuit would have to raise its game if it were to hold on to its Formula 1 event.

The announcement of the changes comes in the same week that BRDC president Sir Jackie Stewart admitted he was harbouring fears that the British Grand Prix could disappear from the Formula 1 World Championship altogether.

Octagon is being investigated by the UK Competition Commission and Stewart, who was included in the Queen's Birthday Honours List at the weekend, says the government inquiry could lead to the disappearance of the British race.

"The biggest risk is that we could lose the British Grand Prix over this," Stewart told British newspaper the News of the World. "If complications arise and we lose it, we lose it once only.

"There is a race in Moscow waiting in the wings, another in the Far East, and several other places round the globe just waiting to stage a race. If our race goes abroad, even for a season, it may never come back. There is a potential danger and we have got to be very, very careful."

Formula 1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone announced in May that there would be a Russian GP from 2003, but an existing race will have to be dropped, as the calendar will not be extended to more than 17 races.

The findings of the Competition Commission inquiry are due to be released in August.