» Silverstone ‘close’ to Arena layout for 2010 race

Silverstone is progressively moving closer to a decision to run this year’s British GP on its new ‘Arena’ Circuit. This follows positive meetings with the circuit’s managers and key F1 figures.

The circuit’s managing director, Richard Phillips, said that he was increasingly hopeful that the new layout (above) could be used – but that the final decision, as ever, rests with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

"It’s yet to be decided," he told AUTOSPORT. "We need approval from three sides. So far two have said yes and one [Ecclestone] says maybe, so we’ll work on that.

"The FIA needs to homologate the new track of course, [but] it is happy with the plan in principle.

"Bernie needs us to send him the plans for the changes and a report of the progress so far before he can agree, but I think it should be alright [for 2010]," he said.

In spite of the loss of the awesome Bridge corner, we think the new layout looks fantastic!