Stewart hits back in GP row

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Sir Jackie Stewart has hit back in the latest stand-off with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone over the future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The British Racing Drivers' Club, who own Silverstone, have secured the British Grand Prix for 2005 and 2006.

But Ecclestone is still threatening to pull the plug on the race.

Stewart, BRDC president, said: "We are dismayed at Bernie Ecclestone's latest threat to the future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone."

Stewart has campaigned vigorously to keep Silverstone on the F1 calendar in recent years.

It is sad to see a dark cloud over the future of Silverstone this weekend Sir Jackie Stewart

On Tuesday, the BRDC raked in £27m to take back the lease of the track from advertising giant Interpublic.

As part of that announcement, the organisation expressed their delight at securing the British Grand Prix for the next two years.

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Ecclestone issued a statement through his Formula One Administration company warning that the event can only continue if a promoter is found before the end of September.

But Stewart said: "His deadline of September 30 2004, as stated in the press, has never been mentioned in all our discussions with FOA and the British Government.

"We are surprised at Mr Ecclestone's backtracking on the FOA's assurances of the security of the 2005/2006 GP.

"It is sad to see a dark cloud over the future of Silverstone this weekend when we should be celebrating the pre-eminence of our motorsport industry and hoping for a British winner on Sunday."