Future of British Grand Prix under new threat - Donington Park
MyTeamCar - The chances of a British Grand Prix remaining on the Formula One calendar took a big knock after news came on Thursday that the organisers of the race for 2010 are now subject to legal action taken by the owners of next year's race venue, Donington Park.
The 2010 British grand prix will be staged at Donington Park from 2010, rather than Silverstone, formula one supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Max Mosley have confirmed. The future of the event was in doubt despite the race being held at the Northamptonshire circuit since 1987.
"Finally the uncertainty is over," said Ecclestone. "A contract has been signed with Donington Park and the future of the British grand prix is now secure. We wanted a world class venue for formula one in Britain, something the teams and British F1 fans could be proud of.
"The major development plans for Donington will give us exactly that - a venue that will put British motor sport back on the map. I am sorry we could not have helped Silverstone to raise the money to carry out the circuit improvements and run formula one."
Ecclestone blamed the British government for not coming to Silverstone's aid. "I believe the government should have supported them, which would have cost probably less than 0.002% of the government's commitment for the Olympic Games," he said.
The news will come as a bitter blow for the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns Silverstone, as it has long been in detailed talks with Ecclestone over a new deal. But Ecclestone has made his dissatisfaction with the track plain, claiming the circuit was in need of drastic improvement. As a result, the BRDC acquired planning permission to build a £30m pit and paddock complex as part of the first phase of a multi-million pound development. This, however, seems not to have been enough.
Donington, home of the British round of the MotoGP, will require a multi-million pound facelift to come up to scratch. It has previously only staged one grand prix, the 1993 European race, and investment of over £100m is planned over the next five years.
"After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted Bernie has been able to ensure the British grand prix will keep its place on the formula one world championship calendar," said Mosley. "We understand the development programme planned for Donington will achieve the very high standards we expect from a modern F1 circuit. Finally, British formula one fans will get the grand prix venue they deserve."
"We are naturally delighted and extremely proud to have acquired the rights to bring formula one back to Donington Park from 2010," said Simon Gillett and Lee Gill, who lease the track from owner Tom Wheatcroft. "At the beginning of last year, when we acquired the circuit and its substantial lands, we made clear our commitment towards realising the full potential of the park by making the necessary investments in current and future events that will see Donington revitalised, ensuring its leading position as one of the most iconic racing circuits in the world.
"To that end, we have now entered a new and exciting chapter in the development of the park, one that will bring significant investment and regional development, while securing the future of one of the most important and significant sporting events in Britain."
Source: f1.gpupdate.net
The 2010 British grand prix will be staged at Donington Park from 2010, rather than Silverstone, formula one supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Max Mosley have confirmed. The future of the event was in doubt despite the race being held at the Northamptonshire circuit since 1987.
"Finally the uncertainty is over," said Ecclestone. "A contract has been signed with Donington Park and the future of the British grand prix is now secure. We wanted a world class venue for formula one in Britain, something the teams and British F1 fans could be proud of.
"The major development plans for Donington will give us exactly that - a venue that will put British motor sport back on the map. I am sorry we could not have helped Silverstone to raise the money to carry out the circuit improvements and run formula one."
Ecclestone blamed the British government for not coming to Silverstone's aid. "I believe the government should have supported them, which would have cost probably less than 0.002% of the government's commitment for the Olympic Games," he said.
The news will come as a bitter blow for the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns Silverstone, as it has long been in detailed talks with Ecclestone over a new deal. But Ecclestone has made his dissatisfaction with the track plain, claiming the circuit was in need of drastic improvement. As a result, the BRDC acquired planning permission to build a £30m pit and paddock complex as part of the first phase of a multi-million pound development. This, however, seems not to have been enough.
Donington, home of the British round of the MotoGP, will require a multi-million pound facelift to come up to scratch. It has previously only staged one grand prix, the 1993 European race, and investment of over £100m is planned over the next five years.
"After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted Bernie has been able to ensure the British grand prix will keep its place on the formula one world championship calendar," said Mosley. "We understand the development programme planned for Donington will achieve the very high standards we expect from a modern F1 circuit. Finally, British formula one fans will get the grand prix venue they deserve."
"We are naturally delighted and extremely proud to have acquired the rights to bring formula one back to Donington Park from 2010," said Simon Gillett and Lee Gill, who lease the track from owner Tom Wheatcroft. "At the beginning of last year, when we acquired the circuit and its substantial lands, we made clear our commitment towards realising the full potential of the park by making the necessary investments in current and future events that will see Donington revitalised, ensuring its leading position as one of the most iconic racing circuits in the world.
"To that end, we have now entered a new and exciting chapter in the development of the park, one that will bring significant investment and regional development, while securing the future of one of the most important and significant sporting events in Britain."
Source: f1.gpupdate.net
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