Mosley can’t protect British GP

Asked at a lunch with journalists on Wednesday if he had the power to protect a British round, the FIA president Max Mosley said: “I can’t.

“We have a role to protect the races – Bernie cannot put out a calendar which results in the elimination of one of the traditional races without our agreement.

“But we have to be reasonable as to the financial terms and facilities.

“The FIA can’t put pressure on Bernie Ecclestone to race in the UK for less than other countries would pay for us to race elsewhere."

However, Mosley did label Britain as “the home of grand prix racing", with the country being a mainstay on the calendar since the world championship’s inception in 1950 and providing the base for the majority of teams.

Earlier this month Gillett reiterated his total faith in the Donington redevelopment project, telling itv.com/f1 that the circuit would “absolutely be ready" for 2010.

“We’re going to be announcing the debenture scheme at the end of this financial quarter," he added.

“By the end of March you will be hearing more about the debenture scheme, but it’s in place and going very well."