British GP organisers reject Ecclestone proposal

British Grand Prix organisers have rejected a proposal by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone that they alternate their race with France.

"The proposal was one that he made a couple of weeks back," Stuart Rolt, chairman of Silverstone circuit owners the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), told Reuters.

"His offer was to have the grand prix every other year and miss it in 2007. We thought about it and rejected it."

Silverstone, that hosted Formula One's first championship grand prix in 1950, has a contract to 2009 with Ecclestone, who represents the commercial rights holders.

The French GP at Magny-Cours has struggled financially in recent years, with that country having no full time F1 driver since 2004 despite Renault winning the championship for the last two years.

"We've given them the opportunity and Magny-Cours agreed," Ecclestone said. "Silverstone had the opportunity and said they didn't want to.

"Silverstone stays where they are. We respect our contracts and we'll see what happens when the contract runs out."

¤ Spanish test driver Marc Gene will stay with Ferrari next season, the F1 team confirmed. Italian Luca Badoer is Ferrari's main test and reserve driver. Gene, 32, has been with Ferrari since the end of 2004. Previously a test driver for Williams, he raced three times for that team in 2003-2004 as a stand-in.