Donington Hits British GP Deadline

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned that Donington Park’s plans to host the British Grand Prix from next year are hanging in the balance as the sport’s organisers’ patience runs thin.

The hierarchy at Donington have yet to show they have the funding in place to redevelop the Leicestershire circuit.

Ecclestone stated: ‘The deadline is this weekend, and we will see what happens on Monday.’

Silverstone could step in to stage the 2010 GP if Donington’s hopes are ended.

Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, the company which operates the track, has faced legal and planning problems since being given the rights to stage the race.

Chief executive Simon Gillett was initially given a deadline of the end of September to demonstrate the funding is in place to carry out the planned multi-million pound revamp of the circuit and its facilities.

That deadline was extended by a few days until 3 October, and a Donington spokesman stated recently he was confident the Grand Prix would go ahead on 11th July.

Motor racing at Donington ceased in September so work could begin to prepare the venue for next year’s race.

Silverstone attracted 250,000 spectators across three days for this year’s Grand Prix.