A question mark has hung over the race since Ecclestone made public his fury at the facilities and surrounding access routes.
His private fury at how his route to last year's race was hampered is stoked up by a growing belief more European grand prix will be pushed off the calendar in favour of venues outside of the EU - and outside of tight restrictions on the advertising of tobacco.
For Silverstone, is has created an air of uncertainty and bitterness.
Since then, track owners the British Racing Drivers’ Club and race promoter Octagon have made a number of improvements, with the Interpublic Group’s Brands Hatch Circuits division (formerly Octagon Motorsports) earlier this year pledging another multi-million dollar improvement package.
Now Ecclestone has issued an ultimatum - an investment in a new pit lane and paddock - in exhange for a long-term deal protecting the race.
He has demanded the BRDC utilise the £8m in rent it receives from Brands Hatch Circuits to finance the £40m loan, with the UK government subsidising the rent, in exchange for a guarantee the race will remain at Silverstone until 2015.
Speaking prior to yesterday's Grand Prix, Ecclestone said: "To be safe, to get all the work done, the BRDC should borrow another £40m to add to the £13m ($20.61m/EUR18.29m) they have left in the kitty.
"And Octagon want a subsidy from the government so they don't lose money on every British Grand Prix.
"If that all comes forward by the middle of August, no problem, we are in business. We will then give a written undertaking to the British government that we will come here until 2015."
Ecclestone's moves come at a time when he is only too aware the Interpublic Group cannot afford for Brands Hatch Circuits to keep proving a major drain on their finances and have been actively looking to sell the contract they have with Silverstone and the Grand Prix.
President of the BRDC, Jackie Stewart said he hoped a deal could be signed.
"Hopefully all the parties who benefit from the race can get together and sort something out with what we pay reflecting what each gets out of the race."
Meanwhile, Brands Hatch Circuits' MD Andrew Waller has launched in investigation into how a man was able to run onto the fastest part of the track during yesterday's race and stage a one-man protest in front of speeding cars.
Bernie Ecclestone has said the British Grand Prix will remain on the Formula One calendar for a further 12-years…but only if a £40m ($63.46m/EUR56.29m) funding package for improvements can be promised by the end of next month.
