The chairman of the company behind Donington Park’s plans to hold the 2010 British Grand Prix has today announced that he has another two weeks to prove the financial backing for the event actually exists.
Simon Gillett, in the last few days a target for British fans’ ire and Bernie Ecclestone’s scorn, issued a statement saying that his company had made steps forward and hoped to impress Ecclestone, who it appears has given him another stay of execution.
“We can confirm that Donington Ventures Leisure Limited has another two weeks from today to further demonstrate our credentials for hosting the British Formula 1 Grand Prix and to provide full information regarding our financial backing and construction timescales,” said Gillett.
“We have made great strides in recent weeks and greatly appreciate the additional time allowed to us to finalise the information for public distribution in what has been a much more difficult than anticipated economic climate.”
The British entrepreneur acknowledged that the Donington fixture had been dogged by constant speculation over its financial solidity, as well as uncertainty over whether the track -which is undergoing redevelopment – would be ready in time.
“We appreciate the British public’s growing frustration with regard to uncertainty that has been cast over the country’s largest and most successful motorsport event, but remain committed to delivering on the promises that we made at the start of this process and have the interests of the sport and its fans at heart.”
