Bernie Ecclestone has stunned the Formula 1 paddock by revealing that Donington Park is to host the British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards. According to the BBC, the decision has been made in accordance to plans by Donington Park to undergo a significant overhaul in facilities, something Ecclestone believes was the only way to secure the race's future. "We wanted a world class venue for F1 in Britain, something that the teams and fans could be proud of," Ecclestone is quoted as saying. "Donington's development plans will give us exactly that, a venue to put British motorsport back on the map." Silverstone is celebrating its 60th anniversary as an F1 venue this year, while Donington Park has not hosted a grand prix since the European Grand Prix in 1993.
I would be very surprised to see it actually happen. I love Donington, but if Silverstone is a bit of a shed, then Donington is a cardboard box! Donington has lots more work to do to get to F1 standard than Silverstone would. I'll be watching this story with a lot of interest, but it still looks to me like Bernie is using Donington as a bargaining chip to try and get more money out of Silverstone. I am pleased that there is still talk of a British GP after 2009 because I honestly thought Bernie would just walk away. Strange days indeed!
Dorna are now talking about going to Silverstone. Bad track for motoGP fans. Following discussions with Formula One Management, the FIA has confirmed that the British Grand Prix will be retained on the Formula One World Championship calendar, moving from Silverstone to its new home of Donington Park from 2010. FIA President Max Mosley said, “After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted that Bernie (Ecclestone) has nevertheless been able to ensure that the British Grand Prix will keep its place on the Formula One World Championship calendar. “We understand that the development programme planned for Donington will achieve the very high standards we and FOM expect from a modern F1 circuit. Finally, British Formula One fans will get the Grand Prix venue they deserve.” FOM President Bernie Ecclestone said, “Finally the uncertainty is over. A contract has been signed with Donington Park and the future of the British Grand prix is now secure. “We wanted a world class venue for Formula One in Britain, something that the teams and British F1 fans could be proud of. The major development plans for Donington will give us exactly that. A venue that will put British motor sport back on the map.” “I am sorry that we could not have helped Silverstone to raise the money to carry out the circuit improvements and run Formula One. I believe that the government should have supported them which would have cost probably less than .002% of the government’s commitment for the Olympic Games.”
The funding for the Donington Park development will be led by a private investor who is also a large shareholder. Exact details of the venues plans will be released at a later date.
Like Brands years back? Just a ploy boys, worst thing that could happen. If you've been stuck in traffic going to Silverstone, don't even leave the house to watch anything at Donnington.
Speed TV talks about Donington being a done deal for 2010 (2009 will be Silverstone again). Also I read this as speculation in the last issue of Octane. If the mistery investor has the 100 mio for the upgrade, then it will happen. I find the timing of this announcement interesting: Silverstone was about to have a major facelift of its grand stand. I guess if Donington gets the race, those new grand stands will never be built. I have never been to Donington, but I can attest that Silverstone lacks a LOT of infrastructure for a F1 GP and I support Bernie in putting the pressure on the BRDC. I don't want to loose the British GP, but it has to be better than this ramshackle airfield in the middle of nowhere.
There's also the time factor. If there isn't a design in place now (and if there is how long has this been in the works?) it won't happen in time.
Hmmmm ok. So then, 2009 is the last chance to go see Silverstone. Is it worth the trip from the States? Comments?
<sarcasm mode on> Not sure about that: Give me a few napkins, a sharpie and a pitcher of beer and I can doodle out tracks faster than Tilke's CAD guys can run their PCs. <sarcasm mode off> Seriously, I never thought that designing an interesting track is really difficult. Just look around what works and what doesn't. Then put it into a computer simulation and you quickly see whether it is any good or not. Just looking at the Chinese track layout I knew all along that it would be utter crap. Similarly just looking at the Turkey layout I knew that this would be a good one. PS: I have designed tracks for computer games and never thought it was a big deal to come up with something pleasing.
Depends on what you expect out of it and why you pick Silverstone: What's cool about Silverstone is the fact, that it is the British GP. There is some auro/mystique about the home GP of most of the teams. Similarly when you go to Monza as a Ferrari fan. That's the good news. Getting there is an utter nightmare as it is in the middle of the country side with one 2 lane highway going there. Traffic jam is a given. Then you must wind your way through Silverstone the village. Another hours goes by. Then you end up parking on a grassy field. Pray to God it didn't rain or you will never leave that field again. Then you're up for lots of portalet toilet experiences in long lines. The Grand stands aren't grand at all. Rather flat with no great vision and exposed to the weather at all times, which could be baking sun, cold wind or rain. In between you try to get something to eat and work your way through throngs of people all trying to do the same thing. You have been to Indy and it couldn't be more different: There you have 5 story tall grand stands with perfect view and a roof. Lots of toilets, lots of food stands all over the place, a place big enough to diverse the crowds, parking nearby, a 30 minute ride into town and a town with hotels and bars to party and stay. If you have to see Silverstone, at least do yourself the favor of using a helicopter to get there (all very organized from the nearest train station). Better yet, pick a different European GP: Monaco, Valencia, Barcelona are better choices IMHO. Come to think of it, I even enjoyed the often belittled Hungarian GP more than Silverstone. There is a big difference between watching a race on TV in the comfort of your own home and actually going there.
Yeah, we'll see. I really can't imagine that a GP at Donington would work unless they seriously limit the number of tickets they sell. The British Moto GP race is held at Donington (although there is talk of it moving to Silverstone) and the spectators for that complain about the traffic getting in and out - most of them are on motorbikes! My sisters live very close to Donington so it would suit me for the race to go there, I just think it is unlikely.
There are nowhere near enough viewing spots at Donnington. Don't forget the trouble Mr Wheatcroft went through to erect tall fencing and whatever for planning when he resurrected the place, it hasn't got any friendlier of an environment past few years, ask Monza!
The British GP SHOULD be at Brands Hatch, even those alternating years were bearable. The terrain and layout will always be superior to anywhere else in the UK. Except for the IoM!!
Brands is more convenient for all the Continentals on a day-trip. More hotel access within 45 mins, good pubs and ambience. Donnington always seemed like a prison to me with those walls... great place for bikes and rock concerts, but once you get off the motorway, access is very bad, AND muddy in the rain.
I imagine they will use the existing track, more or less. It's the infrastructure that will take the time, not only in terms of building it but in getting everything through the planning process.
You don't touch the village nowadays. I always came in from Stowe School, the access was slow but fun along that 2 laner
Ah, down the wrong side of the road, arguing with Mr. plod because we were always late flash the old credentials only to be told "Get back in line before I nick yer!" But we normally could move 1/2 mile or so at a bound! Probably would be nicked nowadays, no sense of humour anymore. We always wandered around the place after the race, met some interesting people, back in the day you could crash the Hesketh tent after the bigwigs had left and finish up the half drunk bottles of wine.
Silverstone has expressed its disappointment at the news that Donington Park has poached the British Grand Prix from 2010. The FIA announced on Friday morning that Donington Park had clinched a 10-year deal to host the British GP, bringing an end to Silverstone's long history with the event. Reacting to the news, Silverstone said it was still analyzing the implications of the events that cast doubts over the planned redevelopment of the circuit. "Silverstone Circuits Limited and the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) would like to express our disappointment at the announcement released by the FIA today concerning the future of the British Grand Prix," said the statement. "It is particularly disappointing to receive this information during the course of the British Grand Prix weekend, while we are celebrating 60 years of Silverstone and 80 years of the BRDC. "The BRDC and Silverstone Circuits Limited are considering our position following in-depth and on-going contract negotiations with FOM. We shall release a statement once the full facts of this announcement have been established with both FOM and the FIA. "The incredible staff here at Silverstone will continue to make this year's sell-out event a resounding success for the fans." http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68831
I seriously doubt this will happen. It will take years just to get planning council approval for the kinds of improvements that are contemplated. I certainly hope that a Tilkenated Donington will never happen....another homogenized, boring, anonymous track is the last thing F1 needs. Jack
They'll hire Tilke to tear the testicles and personality from this track, and turn it into another anesthetic venue that will be devoid of racing and entertainment.
