DECEMBER 14, 2001

British sports minister supports Silverstone as World Council meets

THE FIA World Motor Sport Council meets in Monaco later today with the big issue being whether or not the British GP will get a place on the 2002 calendar. As the delegates arrived in Monte Carlo, Britain's sports minister Richard Caborn has been trying to convince the FIA that there will be a race next year. Caborn met with FIA president Max Mosley and gave assurances that the British government will keep an eye on the construction of the Silverstone bypass to make sure it is finished in time for the 2002 British GP

"It is very important that we have the event in this country," Caborn told the Press Association. "Otherwise there would be a severe impact on the industry.