The future of Silverstone remained uncertain today after claims that a consortium featuring former world champion Nigel Mansell had reached an agreement to save the British Grand Prix were disputed by the owners of the Northamptonshire circuit.
Brand Synergy Ltd, which boasts Mansell as a board director, announced this morning they had struck a deal with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to keep Silverstone in the 17-race series.
But that was almost instantly denied by the British Racing Drivers Club, Silverstone's owners. Kim Cockburn, who is leading the Brand Synergy bid, said: "We have agreed with Bernie Ecclestone to sign a seven-year grand prix F1 license.
"We share a vision to deliver and develop a master plan with the BRDC to make sure Silverstone stays on the map for many years to come."
Cockburn's announcement came in the wake of reports the that British sports minister Richard Caborn was moving closer to helping the BRDC bridge the £800,000 gap between their offer and Ecclestone's demands through an incentives package from the East Midlands Development Agency.