The future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone has been cast into fresh doubt after the circuit's sporting director admitted it "cannot live with the present contract beyond 2019."
Silverstone's owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, warned earlier this year it is considering exercising a break clause in the circuit's contract at the end of 2019 due to the "potentially ruinous" costs of hosting the event. In late January the BRDC denied reports Silverstone had already opted to give up on hosting the race, insisting no decision would be made until mid-July.
The circuit's current contract to host the British Grand Prix runs until 2026 and includes an escalator clause that raises the hosting fee each year, which sporting director Stuart Pringle admits Silverstone is struggling to meet.