The British government is getting involved in moves to keep Silverstone on the annual formula one calendar.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has been making clear noises recently that only increased race promotion fees and an improved circuit will save the British grand prix.
UK sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe met with the 77-year-old F1 supremo on Tuesday, according to the Financial Times.
“Britain has a reputation as the home of motor sport, so I think the decade of sport would start to look a little hollow if we lost the British grand prix,” he said.
The ‘decade of sport’ reference relates to an upcoming stream of major sporting events in Britain, including the 2012 Olympics and a bid for the 2018 football world cup.
The Ecclestone-Sutcliffe meeting was reportedly “constructive and positive” and the pair have agreed to keep up the dialogue.
The Financial Times, however, insists that the “government is likely to stop short of providing financial backing to Silverstone”.
