British and French Grand Prix Saved

LONDON Nov 9, 2004; Stephen Wade writing fopr the AP reported that the British and French Formula One races will be on the calendar next season after team directors reached a deal Tuesday with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

"The British and French races have been saved," Minardi team owner Paul Stoddart told The Associated Press.

Nine of the 10 team directors met with Ecclestone in London and also agreed to a voluntary 50 percent reduction in testing beginning next year. Only Ferrari was absent from the meeting.

Ferrari, the richest team in Formula One, has rejected curbs on testing. Ferrari has won the last five drivers' titles — and the last six constructors' titles — partly because of its larger budget for testing.

"We would ask that Ferrari join us in the reduction in testing, but that is voluntary," Stoddart said. "The savings are supposed to cover the cost of two races (British and French)."

The Formula One calendar will have 19 races in 2005, up one from the 2004 season. The Turkish Grand Prix is being added next year.

The official calendar will be published Dec. 10 by the FIA — the governing body of the sport.

Stoddart said the deal to have the British and French races on the calendar only applied to next year.

"We are doing this one year at time," he said.

Both races were in jeopardy for next season after race promoters failed to come to financial terms with Ecclestone.

"We believe agreement was reached that removes any obvious obstacle for the British and French GPs to take place," McLaren team principal Ron Dennis said.

Stoddart said he expected Ferrari to eventually agree to the deal reached Tuesday. The deal also needs to be ratified by the FIA.