Ecclestone Puts Pressure On Donington

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned the Donington Park circuit it is running out of time to ensure it hosts the 2010 British Grand Prix.

Donington, which closed this week to begin preparations to welcome F1 next year by replacing current host circuit Silverstone, has faced legal and financial hurdles since being given the race.

Commented Ecclestone: ‘Donington have had ‘a bit more time’ three times. They can’t have much more.

‘If it’s going to be Silverstone – and there’s no guarantee it will be, if it’s not Donington – they want to get on, get the race prepared, and sell tickets.’

That contradicts remarks Ecclestone made at the British Grand Prix in June, when he said Silverstone would remain as host if Donington was not ready.

It has been reported that Ecclestone expects proof of funding and completed plans from Donington’s chiefs by the end of next week, which extends his initial deadline – the end of September – by several days.
 
Donington faces an outlay of £80m to bring the Leicestershire circuit up to F1 standards and, while some work has been completed, the last event on the current track only finished last week.