Date swap for British and Austrian GP?

[Gerard]

According to a report on Autosport, the British Grand Prix could yet return to its traditional July date, following reports that the organisers of the Austrian Grand Prix have offered to swap their date for Silverstone’s provisional May slot.

According to this week’s Autosport magazine, the A1-Ring organisers would prefer a date away from the main summer holiday period in order to attract more spectators to the Styrian track.

A1-Ring boss Uwe Strohmeyer denied making a specific offer to the FIA, but said: "I am still waiting for the calendar. Maybe we will get a date in July, maybe we will get one in May."

Bernie Ecclestone has also raised the possibility of a date swap, but Silverstone boss Denys Rohan said: "I haven’t heard anything. It could be true, but there are pros and cons to a July date."

Silverstone’s place on the 2001 calendar remains provisional, and is dependent on the Northamptonshire track proving that there will be no repetition of the traffic and parking problems that blighted this year’s water-logged Easter event. A July date, with a higher likelihood of dry conditions, would significantly ease the circuit’s parking problems.