LONDON, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone admits rising British star Lewis Hamilton may not have a home Grand Prix soon.

Hamilton could be crowned world champion on Sunday but Ecclestone warned that the McLaren driver won´t be able to defend that title in front of his own fans unless the Silverstone venue is improved.

Formula One rights holder Ecclestone has told the British Racing Drivers´ Club he is not happy with the state of the facilities and may not renew their contract when it expires in two years.

"I think we´ve got a contract up to 2009," he told BBC Radio Five Live´s Sportsweek. "After that, I´ve no idea.

"They know what they´ve got to do if they want to retain it. But maybe they don´t want to."

Ecclestone has no qualms about axing Silverstone. Asked if it was a real possibility that Britain wouldn´t have a race, he said: "Yes, quite easily after 2009.

"There are a lot of things. They need to be paying the rate other Europeans are paying, they have to get the circuit and track up to a standard.

"It can´t be comparable to most of them but it needs to be an acceptable standard.