Stewart: BRDC Needs Support to Save Silverstone

Sir Jackie Stewart has hit out suggestions that the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) should be solely responsible for further improvements to the Silverstone circuit.

The Northamptonshire track, which is owned by the BRDC, is under threat of losing its place on the Formula One calendar, following repeated criticism from the sport's ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone that the facilities are among the worst on the calendar.

Ecclestone has insisted that the BRDC should sign up to a £40 million track improvement within one month or lose the race, but Stewart, president of the BRDC, has rubbished those claims.

"The BRDC are a private club, and cannot solely raise the money required," Stewart told BBC Radio Five Live. "We don't mind being among the players - which could include the British Government - but we need time as we feel four weeks is unrealistic."

Stewart has begun campaigning for support for the Silverstone upgrade, which has included meetings with various members of Parliament and committees, and he attended talks with the East Midlands Development Agency on Tuesday.

"I'm meeting the Minister for Sport on Thursday, I've met Patricia Hewitt and I've met about 75 MP's. I want to make sure this is an all-party issue, because Britain cannot afford to lose this industry," Stewart said.

Stewart will attend a press conference in London on Wednesday along with Martin Brundle, chairman of BRDC, to outline plans for the future.