In a shock announcement on the weekend of the British Grand Prix, the FIA have confirmed that the race will move to Donington Park starting in 2010.
Speculation has been rife for some time, with FIA track designer Hermann Tilke reported to have visited the Midlands circuit in recent weeks to assess the work needed to bring the circuit up to F1 standards. Donington famously held one world championship race, the European Grand Prix in 1993, in which Ayrton Senna won in a McLaren, and was a fixture of British Grands Prix in the 1930’s.
FIA President Max Mosley said:
“After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted that Bernie 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."
Bernie Ecclestone, with whom Silverstone bosses have been at loggerheads many times before, added:
“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 announcement will no doubt meet with mixed reactions, and we will bring you more news when it is forthcoming.
Written: Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:01:33
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