British Grand Prix: Silverstone’s Formula One future set to be saved after two-year negotiation saga

An announcement confirming the contract extension is expected to take place tomorrow

A news conference, expected to confirm that the British Grand Prix has been saved, is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Formula One boss Chase Carey, Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle, and British Racing Drivers’ Club chairman John Grant, are poised to announce a contract extension at the Northamptonshire track in a press call at 2pm.

The news is set to bring an end to a two-year saga, sparked when Silverstone triggered a release clause in 2017 in the hope of brokering a better deal.

Sunday’s race was set to be the last unless a new arrangement could be found.

Silverstone’s former deal, agreed with ex F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, included a five per cent annual increase, taking the hosting fee to £26million by 2026.

It is understood that the financial side of a new agreement was agreed some time ago, with the last few days spent working on ironing out the final details.

Both F1 and Silverstone have worked around the clock to ensure the future of the sport’s oldest race is secured before the doors are thrown open for this weekend’s event.

Silverstone is set to seal its future (AFP/Getty)

Silverstone are expecting a record crowd in excess of 140,000 for Sunday’s race.

Britain’s five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton holds a 31-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas ahead of his home race.

PA