Ecclestone Gives Donington Two More Weeks

After warning that Donington Park’s plans to host the British Grand Prix from next year are in jeopardy due to lack of funding, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has extended the track’s deadline two weeks to provide financial guarantees.

Ecclestone had initially set an end of September deadline but has since then twice extended it.

Donington CEO Simon Gillett promised to invest £100m in revamping the circuit over a five-year period. However, 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.

Should Donington fail to ensure that they have financial backing by the new deadline, Ecclestone maintains that Silverstone would step into the role in 2010 instead.