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[AKR]

Bernie was said several times over the last few years that he has considered getting rid of the British Grand Prix.

I wish Donnington luck to be honest! Personally I don't think that Donnington is a good track to host Moto GP... so IMO it's gunna need f*ck loads of work to be done to it.

He may of said that but I cannot see how that could ever succeed. Britain is a big country for F1. Most of the F1 teams are based there. I cannot see the F1 calendar not ever having a British GP. It is almost suicidle for the sport to even consider scrapping the British GP in my opinion. Btw if I am not mistaken Ferrari, Toro Rosso, Toyota and BMW-Sauber are the only F1 teams not based in Britain?

[bud]

youre not mistaken kikki

[Rob-F1]

He may of said that but I cannot see how that could ever succeed. Britain is a big country for F1. Most of the F1 teams are based there. I cannot see the F1 calendar not ever having a British GP. It is almost suicidle for the sport to even consider scrapping the British GP in my opinion. Btw if I am not mistaken Ferrari, Toro Rosso, Toyota and BMW-Sauber are the only F1 teams not based in Britain?

Well this has cemented the fact that the British Grand Prix won't be taken off the calender. I personally believe that the race has been moved to the wrong circuit. That has nothing to do with which teams are based in the UK or how popular Formula 1 is in the UK.

[AKR]

youre not mistaken kiki

You see I can be reasonble when I am not off my head.

btw I agree that Silverstone is the better circuit for the British GP than Donnington, very much like Monza is better than Imola for the Italian GP. But the reality is you cannot use my reason given for having a British GP on the calendar when deciding which circuit to use as the fact is both circuits are in Britain. Japan has a similar status to Britain when referring to the fact that you cannot get rid of Japan. Honda and Toyota (Although based in Britain and Germany respectively) are Japanese manufacturers and furthermore Toyota suppliers engines to Williams. You can't get rid of Japan but you cannot stop them from ditching Suzuka for Fuji Raceway. I believe the same thing exists here as in Britain. Suzuka was like Silverstone and Fuji is like Donnington. But they have changed it in Japan and there is nothing that can be done about it for now. Britain is the same unfortunately.

[scotty]

I can't wait for f1 to come to Donington, screw you idiots - you'll all change your minds when you see f1 cars blasting through the section from the Craner Curves down to Mcleans!!

[McLaren Fan]

I can't wait for f1 to come to Donington, screw you idiots - you'll all change your minds when you see f1 cars blasting through the section from the Craner Curves down to Mcleans!!

Donington, like Silverstone, tests all aspects of a car. In Formula One, you would need decent mechanical and aerodynamic grip. The Craner Curves down to McLeans at Donington are not bad, but just a poor man's version of Copse to Chapel at Silverstone I'm afraid.

[darwin dali]

Judging by my Sig... you can tell I'm not happy with this news!

Ach, Im not exactly happy about it either. But same time, BRDC have had years and years to fix this. They kept going on about how the government should invest in it.

I for one hope Donnington turns out to work. It's a fantastic circuit (maybe not for F1), but with the new investment surely it's better to have a British Grand PRix rather than none at all?

I agree that its better to have the British Grand Prix at Donnington than not to have a British Grand Prix at all... but there really ain't a place like Silverstone is there!?

I agree, but feel that was the problem.
The BRDC didn't really want to come up with the goods, and to stall them, would continue to play on the idea that Silverstone was the only circuit capable of holding a British Grand Prix.
I dunno how often, even this weekend, I heard Silverstone TV interview people and always ask why they had to keep Silverstone and the British Grand Prix here.

Silverstone is the best circuit in the Uk, but it was inevitable somethng was going to have to give. Maybe this will make the BRDC actually carry out their plans.

As I have stated a long time ago, the BRDC is not up to snuff - JS and now DH have been incompetent and showing no leadership to turn the Titanic before it crashed into the iceberg. Now it seems the ship is sinking and the BRDC doesn't have to look further than in the mirror.

[scotty]

I can't wait for f1 to come to Donington, screw you idiots - you'll all change your minds when you see f1 cars blasting through the section from the Craner Curves down to Mcleans!!

Donington, like Silverstone, tests all aspects of a car. In Formula One, you would need decent mechanical and aerodynamic grip. The Craner Curves down to McLeans at Donington are not bad, but just a poor man's version of Copse to Chapel at Silverstone I'm afraid.

Not really, it's more technical, kinda like the first section at Suzuka.

I should have added that it'll also be a nice change from having to hope the rain comes so that the British GP has some overtaking.

[EwanM]

I can't wait for f1 to come to Donington, screw you idiots - you'll all change your minds when you see f1 cars blasting through the section from the Craner Curves down to Mcleans!!

Donington, like Silverstone, tests all aspects of a car. In Formula One, you would need decent mechanical and aerodynamic grip. The Craner Curves down to McLeans at Donington are not bad, but just a poor man's version of Copse to Chapel at Silverstone I'm afraid.

Not really, it's more technical, kinda like the first section at Suzuka.

I should have added that it'll also be a nice change from having to hope the rain comes so that the British GP has some overtaking.

Aye, I love the start of the lap. Especially the Craner Curves.

But I have to agree Mclaren Fan. I'm gonna miss Maggots/ Becketts. The long run from Stowe, through the Vale and up to club.
It's like Japan all over again. They lost Suzuka for the rain soaked Fuji.
Rain soaked Donnington for Silverstone.

Mind you still hope it works out. BRDC are at fault. Not Donnington, not Bernie and certainly not the government.

[McLaren Fan]

I was watching some footage of races etc. at Donington this even and the place looks even worse than I remembered it. The track is simply too narrow and short - both of which can be sorted - but there is absolutely no infrastructure at all. How it even got to hold a Grand Prix in 1993 is a mystery.

[bernification]

Sorry, but i had to chip in with my thoughts...

Isn't Bernie setting this up for a fall?

On the F1 on ITV they had a heart-to -heart with the guy putting together the consortium who are heading the bid, and the distinct impression I got was that it was majoritily financed by 'the fans' (for this read private subscription).

Now forgive me if I'm wrong, but the dome was years late, ie. not complete on time, and over budget, Wembley was late and , yes, over budget. The olympic sites have already been changed to cheaper designs, are already overbudget, and will probably not all be ready on time.

What chance does a company relying upon donations and private sponsorship for it's majority finance have of putting together a lenghthened and widened circuit , improved infrastructure and logistics in 2 years?

Either he will use this as leverage against the BRDC or pull the race for someone else who will pay more.

[EwanM]

I was watching some footage of races etc. at Donington this even and the place looks even worse than I remembered it. The track is simply too narrow and short - both of which can be sorted - but there is absolutely no infrastructure at all. How it even got to hold a Grand Prix in 1993 is a mystery.

Well, I think the plan is to add a new infield section of the lap to increase the distance by about half a mile.
They do have some infrastructure around the circuit. East Midland's airport, very very close to the M1. They do have a number of hotels scattered around the area. However i'm sure camping will again be in order.
Donnington can handle this, the Download festival is a success year after year. As is its many motorsport events.
They will need to look at a new access road, pit/paddock and grandstands though.
It's going to be a lot of work, but its either that or no British Grand Prix at all.

[McLaren Fan]

From Planet F1:

Donington yet to submit planning application
Wednesday 9th July 2008

The 2010 British Grand Prix at Donington Park is just two years away, but the North West Leicestershire district council is yet to receive planning applications from the operators of the track.

Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone announced last week that the British GP will move from Silverstone to Donington Park.

However, the F1 supremo warned that he would not hesitate to drop the British GP from the calendar if the owners of the circuit don't get their act together.

The local council says talks with the promoters are still ongoing.

"We have not yet actually received the planning application although we have been talking through the project with the race promoters during the phase prior to last week's official announcement," said a council spokesman, Ian Hill, was quoted in The Guardian.

"Obviously we have little experience of a project on this scale and once we become involved we will be looking at it from an overall viewpoint, talking to the owners on an ongoing basis.

"Our approach will be dictated by the need to get things right for such a major global sporting event, while at the same time addressing whatever needs and concerns arise among the local residents.

"Of course the sheer scale of this project is such that we will be working closely with the highways agency and the police authorities from the very start."

The big wigs at Donington seem to think they'll get the planning permission, but there are new regulations surrounding buildings being built near airports and British planning law is quite picky. I think there'll have to be some negotiations before Donington get the nod.

[Jensonb]

I can't wait for f1 to come to Donington, screw you idiots - you'll all change your minds when you see f1 cars blasting through the section from the Craner Curves down to Mcleans!!

I really won't, Silverstone is my favourite track in the wold. Not because it's British, because it kicks a**.

[racechick]

I can't wait for f1 to come to Donington, screw you idiots - you'll all change your minds when you see f1 cars blasting through the section from the Craner Curves down to Mcleans!!

I really won't, Silverstone is my favourite track in the wold. Not because it's British, because it kicks a**.

I agree. Donnigton is way off the mark with soooooooooooo much work needing doing. It was cool watching moto bikes blast through the CC's but it looks like a toy track as far as F1 cars go.