British GP dead?

Oh dear it really is not a good time to be asking anyone for money NOW.

 

i feel like this is an annual event. every year i hear how the british gp might get axed and every year they're on the calendar.

 

Too bad, but wasn't this designed (by Bernie) to fail from the outset?

 

I hear you!.... However, the evil pygmys dislike of S/Stone is well known. He *hates" the BRDC who own it. Doesn't want to go back there - Ever.

Hence, his terribly timed announcement at last years Brit GP that from 2010 (IIRC?) the event would be at Donington.

If those Donington developers have gone tits-up we're in trouble.....

OTOH, I thought Tom Wheatcroft had as much money as God and *really* wanted the GP held at his track - I suspect there's more to this than we've heard so far - "Termination of lease" caught my eye - Maybe he reckons he can do a better job?

Cheers,
Ian

 

As you all said: To be continued.

 

It's worrying, but also interesting. Simon Gillet never stood a chance. He was supposed to be announcing details of a debenture scheme, similar to the one used at Wembley Stadium before the end of March and no details have emerged. I said when the deal was first announced that I would be very surprised to see an F1 race at Donington. Bernie seems to be enjoying this.

“It’s a disgrace that the British Government don’t step in to help. They are throwing billions at the London Olympics. They could do what is needed to save the race by putting in a fraction of it, 0.002 per cent."

“If Donington can’t put on the British Grand Prix then that’s it. We will be leaving Britain. There is no question of us going back to Silverstone, they have had enough chances and have not delivered what they promised."

He will be enjoying the discomfort of the BRDC at Silverstone and he will also be relishing the chance to have a go at the British Government even though he knows there are no politicians who would be willing to invest a penny of taxpayers money in a sport where most of the participants are multi-millionaires.

One possible outcome is for Bernie to 'save the day' at the last minute by investing some of his own money. It has long been speculated that he might step in and take over the event at Donington. Some even believe he may have some kind of plan to turn it into the world’s finest race track as part of his legacy.

But if Ecclestone cannot own the circuit, it’s not clear how or why he would do this. The track’s ownership lies with the Wheatcroft family, while Silverstone is owned by the British Racing Drivers Club who would never sell to Bernie. I wonder if he is now talking to Tom Wheatcroft about buying the circuit from him, but before buying the circuit he'd need Gillet to lose the rights to the GP so they can be awarded to Bernie!

 

I'am not to sure about this, Bernie reckons he has loads of places that would bend over backwards for a GP to be held on there soil, well like with the medal system he wanted, he stated and it was witnessed all the teams had agreed, yeh right... Lies!!

Dealing with a VERY greedy individual can be hard indeed.

I'am sure he doesn't want more races in far flung parts of the world, but who knows, in a way I'am glad the USA n Canada told him to p!ss off with his costs.

 

Sir Jackie Stewart on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "If Donington cannot stage the 2010 British Grand Prix for any reason, be it financial or logistical, the natural suggestion would be to have it at Silverstone. The key thing is to ensure we have a British Grand Prix. It would be stupid of the British government to let us lose our Grand Prix. As many as 50,000 UK jobs could be affected if we lost it - we can't afford to let that happen."

Bernie will let that happen...

 

Absolutely agreeing with Jackie there.

 

I'm sure Bernie will come up with something clever and interesting in its place. Like a Saudi GP between a couple of sand dunes. I just love those.