FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Martin]

Following discussions with Formula One Management, the FIA has confirmed that the British Grand Prix will be retained on the Formula One World Championship calendar, moving from Silverstone to its new home of Donington Park from 2010.

FIA President Max Mosley said, “After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted that Bernie (Ecclestone) has nevertheless been able to ensure that the British Grand Prix will keep its place on the Formula One World Championship calendar

Hmmmm

[texasmr2]

I think it will be a nice change and maybe they can eventually switch the GP between the two track's each year, I'm looking forward to the change in venue. Donnington Park is proud as they are already advertising about the change: http://www.donington-park.co.uk/

[Kiwi_Chris]

i dunno the track would have to be pretty damn amazing to beat Silverstone, it would need some major revamps to bring even the track layout up to F1 standards

[Jensonb]

This sucks, Silverstone is one of my favourite tracks.

Also, to provide more details...Donington has a ten year deal

[texasmr2]

i dunno the track would have to be pretty damn amazing to beat Silverstone, it would need some major revamps to bring even the track layout up to F1 standards

It seems they have all their ducks in a row:

DONINGTON TO HOST 2010 FORMULA ONE BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Fri 4th Jul 08 - 11:43

The future of the British Grand Prix has today been secured in a new 10 year agreement between Donington Ventures Leisure Limited and Formula One Management Limited.

The 2010 F1™ British Grand Prix at Donington Park will see the pinnacle of motor racing return to the iconic East Midlands circuit after a 17-year absence when it last hosted the Grand Prix of Europe in 1993.

Circuit owners and joint CEO’s, Simon Gillett and Lee Gill made the following statement:

“We are naturally delighted and extremely proud to have acquired the rights to bring Formula One back to Donington Park from 2010. 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 and 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.

Donington Ventures Leisure Limited has worked closely with the local and national authorities in consideration of the planning requirements that are necessary to provide a first class facility for the hosting of F1 in 2010. The details of this and the Donington Park master plan that outlines a 5 year investment programme of some £100m, will be provided at a future date.

The investment will be led by a private investor who is also a large shareholder.

Today’s signing of the contract with Formula One Management Limited brings to an end a period of commercial negotiations, none of which would have been possible without the support of Mr Ecclestone and FOM. However, Donington Ventures are still engaged in negotiations with other important third parties that should be concluded in a matter of days. Only when this is done, will they release further information to the media.

Also I love the layout of the track as it has some fast straight's and long sweeper's, I'm gonna have to go through my tapes and see if I have the 1993 European GP which is the last time they hosted a F1 race. Here is the track layout: http://www.donington-park.co.uk/events/the-track

[bud]

[KyrosV]

!!!!!!!!!!

well im double'ii gonna have to go next year,

but I knew it was gonna happen, hopefully They can do a better job at Donnington, I hope they can make a world class track. I thought Silverstone was a bit pants compared to the other tracks in the world. Im sad to see it go but at least the British GP stays! well done bernie...(see hes still english at heart)

[8-ball]

well at least Britain has a GP somewhere even if it is in Derbyshire! I am going to wait and at least give it a chance before writing it off who knows come 2012 we might not even miss silverstone

[texasmr2]

Oh one other thing is Tilke will be coming in to redesign alot of the track to bring it up to Bernies standard's. I hope he does not totally ruin the circuit with a bunch of hairpin's and chicanes.

[Stephen]

Well we can almost guarantee a wet race for the British Grand Prix from 2010 onward then!

I'm not really surprised by the decision, quite how the BRDC could sit back and use slogans such as 'because it's Silverstone' in the hope they'd appeal to Bernie's gentler side (if he has one) is beyond me. Ecclestone is a businessman, and one of the most successful, if anything he's been unusually tolerant of the BRDC.

And with Silverstone looking decidely tatty with limited access when I went to watch testing last week (the only power for our Editor to use in the media centre was in the flaming kitchen for goodness sake) - I'm rather pleased Donington now has a chance to shine. Silverstone should have upped their game years ago - whether the circuit will see another Grand Prix is down to the BRDC - they'll be taking a huge gamble if they now go ahead with their plans.

From my own point of view - sure Silverstone is historic, but the track just doesn't do anything for me. Donington on the other hand is more accessible from a fans perspective, and the layout IMHO more exciting.

Btw - if you want to know more about the situation between Bernie and the BRDC, as well as the planned developments of Silverstone, have a read of Chris Hayes's article below:

http://www.forumula1.com/2008/f1/f1-new ... ve-update/

[scotty]

British GP 15 miles from home, can't complain.

Silverstone rarely provided a good race anyway unless it rained, so i can't say i'll really miss it.

Apparently Herman Tilke visited the track recently, so expect changes and probably a slight lengthening (the GP track is only 2.5 miles long). I hope they keep the section going from the Dunlop straight through the Esses and down to the Melbourne hairpin - it seems ideal to provide modern f1 cars with overtaking opportunities.

Stephen - it's dry and warm here today mate...!

[McLaren Fan]

Donington Park's alright, but I don't think its layout will make it a lot more exciting than Silverstone. That Tilke is going to be doing some redesign work on the track, we can be assured that will be the case. Donington is going to require a hell of a lot more work the Silverstone to bring it up to Ecclestone's standards, but at least they'll have the money to make the renovations. The main thing is the that the issue is resolved once and for all and that the future of the British Grand Prix is secured.

[texasmr2]

The main thing is the that the issue is resolved once and for all and that the future of the British Grand Prix is secured.

Yep!!

[Stephen]

Stephen - it's dry and warm here today mate...!

Sorry, I just have bitter experience from last year's MotoGP - I've only just dried out!

[Hanwombat]

hmmm