Sunday 17 May at 15:58 : May 17 (GMM) In a confidential letter, the chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club has reportedly proposed to sell the 2009 grand prix venue Silverstone

The leaked proposal, made in writing by Robert Brooks, would have to be backed by other members of the track-owning club, but the move could theoretically be a shot in the arm to the hopes of the Northamptonshire track of retaining its formula one round

Amid 2010 host Donington's reported problems, The Guardian newspaper claims that front of the queue to buy Silverstone could be the circuit's seasoned critic Bernie Ecclestone

Should the F1 chief executive buy Silverstone, he could run the British grand prix at the venue "as he pleases". The newspaper also claims that the BRDC, which has owned Silverstone since 1971, irritates the 78-year-old billionaire "intensely"