FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Chris_0648]

Donnington and Brands have held the event in tandem for the past few years, haven't they?? The only reason they aren't this year is because Palmer wasn't willing to stump up the cash.

[petergriffin]

Correct but brands normally pulls in the bigger crowds (i think it's the bggest in europe) but this is down to the excellent Facilities, access & Organisation . For some reason Donnigton just can't rise to the challenge. It's been to silverstone as well i haven't been to silverstone myself. But have heard nothing but good reviews about the track & facilities. The MotoGP is held at donnington but normally has smaller crowds than any other european leg. Wonder why??

[MAD MAX]

Whats the lates with Gillet's legal battle with the owners and planning etc

[Chris_0648]

Correct but brands normally pulls in the bigger crowds (i think it's the bggest in europe) but this is down to the excellent Facilities, access & Organisation . For some reason Donnigton just can't rise to the challenge. It's been to silverstone as well i haven't been to silverstone myself. But have heard nothing but good reviews about the track & facilities. The MotoGP is held at donnington but normally has smaller crowds than any other european leg. Wonder why??

I've never been to Brands but I'd agree that Donny's facilities are terrible.

I haven't heard any more news regarding his legal issues. But after looking at the state of the track for the BSB yesterday I'd say there isn't gonna be a GP there next year!

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Donington gets legal document boost

By Jonathan Noble Friday, June 19th 2009, 11:44 GMT

Donington Park has received a boost in its plans to host next year's British Grand Prix after getting a vital legal document signed off to confirm planning permission, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

The track had been granted planning permission by the local council in January, but that was dependent on a Section 106 document - which details event management including traffic plans – being signed by track owner Tom Wheatcroft and leaseholder Simon Gillett.

Following difficulties between Gillett and Wheatcroft, that document was only signed earlier this week, and Gillett confirmed on Friday morning that it has now been approved by his lawyers. It means work can start in earnest on redeveloping the track.

"We have got the Section 106 all signed and agreed now, so that enables us to press on with the construction now," Gillett told AUTOSPORT. "It was all agreed last week and I have just had the email from my lawyers confirming it about five minutes ago! So we are really happy."

He added: "The machinery has moved into the centre, and as of Monday morning we start to hit that with some aggression."

Gillett said he expected to announce plans for the debenture scheme that will help fund the £80 million redevelopment of Donington Park at the end of July, as he said sorting out the finances remained on course.

When asked for a reaction to comments from the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) that it could not get Donington Park's money figure to stack up, Gillett said: "It didn't surprise me.

"I don't profess to know their business plan and they don't understand mine. I know what is contained in it, what the detail is. The people that have looked at it – just look at IMG who are our partners and the world's largest global sport's marketing company.

"They have generated it, and they believe in it. They have done it for Wembley; they have done it for Twickenham – and many stadiums around the world. Bernie believes in it, Max believes in it. So they are the guys who have looked under the hood and really know what it is about."

And although the current threat of a breakaway championship could have a huge impact on next year's British GP, Gillett remains optimistic the matter would get sorted.

"My reaction is that F1 is a sport that runs half on the track and half in the courtroom," he said. "It has long done that, and it will long continue to do that in the future. I am sure we will see a resolution, and reasonableness will break out at some point. I am sure we will have the same 20 cars on the grid next year, plus six new ones."

[Jensonb]

The 2010 FiA British Grand Prix, eh?

I'm thinking there might be a more exciting event, with a similar name, taking pace at this great track called Silverstone in 2010...

[Gaz]

The 2010 FiA British Grand Prix, eh?

I'm thinking there might be a more exciting event, with a similar name, taking pace at this great track called Silverstone in 2010...

Yeh with REAL Teams like Mclaren, Brawn GP and Ferrari

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Ecclestone open to Silverstone return

By Jonathan Noble Saturday, June 20th 2009, 13:04 GMT

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has left the door open on Silverstone retaining the British Grand Prix next year - after revealing that there is now a back-up plan if Donington Park's plans fall through.

Although Ecclestone has previously said that if Donington Park is not ready in time then there will be no British GP, his stance has now changed.

Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Ecclestone said: "We've got an agreement, as everybody knows, with Donington and I'm hoping they can complete the agreement and do all the things they are supposed to do.

"And if they can't, for sure we will come back to Silverstone."

Ecclestone said his change of attitude had come about because of a new attitude from Silverstone owner, the British Racing Drivers' Club.

"Now there has been a big change with the BRDC, they have got more commercial people involved and these people are prepared to do all the things we want, for the reason we left in the first place," he explained.

[richindarlo]

Donnington must be hacked off! I thought when i woke up this morning that F1 would be a completely different sport next year, and that today i would be watching the last qualifying at Silverstone. Now, i think the F1 stands a good chance that it will still exist, with the teams it has now, that it will still be at Silverstone for the British GP, and that Mosley will be pushed out for calling half the teams loonies on the BBC today. what a difference a qualifying session makes, let alone a day.
But if there is one thing I'm certain of, its that I'm not certain what will happen either way!

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Donington gets final planning permission

By Pablo Elizalde Friday, June 26th 2009, 11:39 GMT

Donington Park has received the final rubber stamp to the planning permission for the track's redevelopment programme, in another boost for the circuit.

The final document has now been signed by all relevant parties and the planned construction work can begin on site immediately.

"It's great to have cleared another hurdle and to see the hard work of the entire team at the circuit paying off," said Donington boss Simon Gillett. "There's no denying that we still have a lot of hard work ahead but we'll continue to remain positive and do everything that we can to deliver against the promises that we have been made.

"The construction work is obviously extremely important, but we're also trying hard to ensure that it doesn't compromise the experience that our visitors to forthcoming events have."

Donington is scheduled to host the British Grand Prix from next year after having secured a 17-year deal.

Doubts were cast over the plan, however, with Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggesting last weekend that Silverstone could still host the race next year.

Ecclestone's comment came after Silverstone boss Robert Brooks had said he did not believe Donington would be ready in time.

Andrew Hampel, the CEO of ISG - the company running Donington's debenture - hit out at Brooks, saying there is no reason to believe the circuit will not be ready.

"It is nonsense to say that the Donington Park figures and debenture scheme does not stack up," said Hampel. "Through IMG and Bastion, ISG has vast experience and we are world leaders in the area of stadium and arena marketing.

"Without doubt, as paying customers, motorsport fans are ready for the same level of quality that fans of other leading sports have become accustomed to, and there is no reason that Donington Park cannot provide that."

[EwanM]

There's no excuses now!

[EwanM]

Donington rebuild to begin in August

By Simon Strang Sunday, June 28th 2009, 14:34 GMT

Donington Park boss Simon Gillett says construction work on the circuit's redevelopment plan will begin on August 1, ahead of its scheduled return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2010.

Gillett signed the final legal documents last week giving him the go-ahead to begin work on revamping the famous track, and in an interview with Eurosport he explained that Donington was just waiting until its two summer blue riband events - the World Superbike round (this weekend) and the British MotoGP – had taken place before the diggers moved in.

Gillett also dismissed concerns over funding for the project, adding that all the necessary budget should be in place for the work by the end of July.

"It's been a lot of hard work up until this point," said Gillett. "It has been like pushing water uphill with a fork occasionally, but the team here are fantastic and we have got clarity of vision and the support of all the right people so here we are.

"The pit and paddock was built over one winter and we are doing a similar kind of thing, just on a slightly larger scale," he added. "We were hoping to have started a bit earlier but as I've said we had a problem with our funding source at the time, that's put us back.

"We'll be resolving our funding by the end of July and then we will start putting forks in the ground on the first of August."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76610

[EwanM]

Ecclestone: British tracks could share GP
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77070

By Jonathan Noble Sunday, July 19th 2009, 12:54 GMT

Bernie Ecclestone believes Donington Park and Silverstone may have to end up sharing the British Grand Prix in the future if it means keeping the event on the calendar.

With Donington Park facing a race against time to raise the £80 million it needs to upgrade its facilities, Ecclestone dropped a further hint on Sunday that Silverstone could yet step into the breach.

Speaking to the Independent on Sunday, Ecclestone said: "If they don't do it, Donington will get together with Silverstone. If Silverstone do all the things they promised me they are going to do, we are going to be at Silverstone."

Ecclestone's comments come almost a month after he and FIA president Max Mosley dropped firm hints about Silverstone being given a British GP reprieve.

However, with time counting down for Silverstone to be able to get planning underway to host a race next year, one of its key figures has also questioned whether it would be worth embarking on a revamp to host the race every other year.

Damon Hill, president of the British Racing Drivers' Club that owns Silverstone, said: "I am not in favour of rotating it. I think it's an insult. It's another absurd step to try and squeeze as much profit and as much benefit for the commercial rights-holder. It's not a long-term strategy.

"I'm in favour of the contract for the British Grand Prix being negotiated with Silverstone because I don't believe that the Donington project is viable."

Would rotation guarantee security?

[texasmr2]

Seem's we are now back at square one !! All this nonsense from Bernie imho has nothing to do with keeping a race in the UK it's all about lining his pockets with money, whatever happened to tradition? Silverstone should never be in question as it is the pinnacle of modern day F1 and Bernie seem's to have lost the plot and his root's and what made him so rich.

If a loss is taken at one GP it is being recouped in all the other new and forthcoming GP's right?? We all should form a fund to send Jason Bourne to pay Bernie a latenight visit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EwanM]

Seem's we are now back at square one !! All this nonsense from Bernie imho has nothing to do with keeping a race in the UK it's all about lining his pockets with money, whatever happened to tradition? Silverstone should never be in question as it is the pinnacle of modern day F1 and Bernie seem's to have lost the plot and his root's and what made him so rich.

If a loss is taken at one GP it is being recouped in all the other new and forthcoming GP's right?? We all should form a fund to send Jason Bourne to pay Bernie a latenight visit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very true on both accounts. Also as shown in Germany and Japan, rotation doesn't always work. Especially if your economic plans becomes structured around holding the event every second year, then your contract partner hits financial trouble.