Porsche has blocked a bid by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to acquire Britain’s Formula 1 track at Silverstone, according to motor-racing sources.

The German manufacturer has put the brakes on the £33m sale by the circuit’s owner, the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC).

Porsche, which operates a driving centre at Silverstone, is understood to have used a veto that allows it to block competitors from using the track from more than 45 days per year.

JLR’s deal, agreed in April, has been thrown further into doubt by a new, rival approach for Silverstone from the engineering entrepreneur and racing team owner Lawrence Tomlinson.

This weekend, JLR’s bid appeared gridlocked.

“Porsche has a covenant within their lease that says no manufacturer can use the circuit for more than 45 days a year,” a senior BRDC member said.

“JLR were aware of that covenant and assumed that they might be able to sort it out after the deal was done.

“I have been told in the last 48 hours that Porsche have indicated that they would not be prepared to waive their rights.”