Formula One boss Ecclestone backs London GP

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has offered to stump up £35 million ($54.5 million) to stage a grand prix around London's famous streets, according to the Times. The 3.2 mile (5.1 km) route will be unveiled when the full plan is presented later Thursday, but it would take in landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, the report said on Thursday. Organisers estimate 120,000 spectators would flock to the showpiece event -- making it the biggest race on the tour -- and hope the money they would spend would more than cover Formula One's investment. "Think what it would do for tourism," Ecclestone told the paper. "It would be fantastic, good for London, good for England -- a lot better than the Olympics," he added.