SILVERSTONE circuit has reported soaring ticket sales for this year's British Grand Prix after the success of new English driver Lewis Hamilton in the first race of the season in Australia.

Hamilton, in his first Grand Prix, finished third in a McLaren, ahead of a host of more experienced drivers.

1996 world champion Damon Hill, who is president of the British Racing Drivers Club which owns Silverstone, said: "Lewis is with the right team at the right time and has every chance of going on to win races this season.

"He can expect a fantastic reception at his home race and he would go down as a legend in the sport if he won the British Grand Prix in his first ever season."

The upsurge in interest for the Silverstone race in July comes at the same time as an announcement of a massive improvement programme at the Northamptonshire track.

At the circuit, Hill and Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips explained to minister for sport Richard Caborn and representatives from local councils and other groups, how the track would become a centre of excellence.

The plan has already been approved by Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northants District Council, who control the land on which Silverstone Circuit is sited.

The improvements will enable Silverstone to become more than a Grand Prix circuit.

The Silverstone masterplan includes new grandstands, new pit and paddock facilities, a science park, a manufacturers test centre, some residential development, and a hotel and conference centre.

In addition, plans have already been submitted for Porsche Cars to develop a driver training facility at the circuit, while the Silverstone Study Centre - a learning centre for local schoolchildren jointly funded by Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire County Council, and the Department for Education and Skills - has been operating since September last year.

Mr Phillips said: "Silverstone sits at the heart of motorsport valley, which employs the highest concentration of engineering excellence in the world.

"Governments around the world are recognising the importance of motorsport in their economic mix and we need to create the right environment to develop a centre of excellence that encompasses education, research and development, manufacturing, and design."