The British Grand Prix has received a boost with news that Silverstone's owners will pump £4 million into improved facilities at the Northamptonshire track.
Silverstone has been the subject of criticism from Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in recent years for the facilities on offer and owners Octagon have reacted with a series of radical measures.
The most obvious improvements will be a new loop added to the Woodcote section of the circuit and a tarmac run-off installed at Stowe Corner, where Michael Schumacher broke his leg in 1999.
Other safety advances include improvements to marshal posts, new gravel traps and Armco fencing around the circuit.
Spectators will also benefit with internal road systems - heavily criticised by Ecclestone last year - as well as toilet blocks and disabled facilities all getting much-needed upgrades.
Octagon Motorsports' managing director Michael Browning said: "We want to provide safe, first-class facilities for all users of our circuits.
"The fans are very important to us and we are confident that these developments to our facilities will ensure the British Grand Prix is an outstanding success."
Other Octagon-owned tracks - Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Cadwell - will also benefit from the cash injection which amounts to £7.5 million.
Brown added: "We have undertaken this investment in 2003 to ensure that we can provide the best possible facilities at our circuits and meet the highest possible standards in terms of safety and comfort for teams and spectators."