Ecclestone - No Donington GP

Failure to meet deadline has cost the circuit

Last updated: 29th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ecclestone - No Donington GP

Ecclestone: No GP at Donington

There's no Donington. They've missed the deadline which we kept extending for them.

Bernie Ecclestone
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Donington Park has officially lost the right to host the British Grand Prix according to Bernie Ecclestone.

Donington had failed to prove it had the required funding to host the race at the Leicestershire circuit.

Simon Gillett, chief executive of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, had signed a 17-year deal with Ecclestone but at the start of October circuit chiefs had issued a last-ditch plea to potential investors to help raise the money required to stage the race.

However, having failed to meet the required deadlines to prove they had the money in place, Donington will now not hold the race, due to be held on July 11.

Ecclestone said: "There's no Donington. They've missed the deadline which we kept extending for them.

Trouble

"It's unfortunate for them. It was the credit crunch that caused them to be in trouble - because their intentions were good, that's for sure."

Silverstone are now in pole position to host the race, 18 months after they stalled on a deal with Ecclestone.

Silverstone Holdings were willing to pay the £12million annual asking price to host the Grand Prix; however they were believed to be unhappy at the seven per cent yearly increase clause.

"We're talking. A deal can be done if they want to," added Ecclestone, who when asked if there was a difference of opinion over the details said: "There isn't actually. As far as I'm concerned, no problems."

Institution

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has stressed to Ecclestone the significance of the race and said he was assured that "everything possible" was being done to retain it on the calendar.

Lord Mandelson said: "I phoned Bernie Ecclestone this afternoon and I stressed to him the importance of Formula One and the British Grand Prix to the UK.

"This is a very British institution and every effort must be made to keep the race in the UK.

"Losing it would be a body blow to UK sport, the teams, and the fans.

"Bernie reassured me he was doing everything possible to maintain the British Grand Prix in the UK."

Comments (39)

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Steve S says...

It's alright for Bernie to crow about the fantastic facilities in Abu Dhabi and mention them in the same breath as Silverstone. If we had access to the vast funds laid out by the Emirates Government/ Royal Family to fund a circuit like Yas Marina to cater for 50,000 spectators, we could do the same here. I was recently in Dubai and spoke with a colleague about tickets and was told that there were none available and those that were, were far too expensive for the average Joe Soap to afford. Bernie. Put your money where you mouth is and, as others have said, build a lasting legacy that will be remebered many years after your demise. Rather go out with a bang than a whimper.

Posted 20:36 30th October 2009

Ian Davis says...

IMO, 2009 was never going to be the last race at Silverstone, I have been to Silverstone for a few years before this year but refused to pay the inflated prices in 2009 because it was supposidly the last race. Somehow i knew it would never go to Donnington, or if it did, it'd be straight back the year after! Although i didnt agree with the price hike last year for the fact it was the 'last chance to see F1" at Silverstone, Silverstone is the home of F1 in the britain, and should allways be on the calendar, and i firmly believe will be for years to come. For all we know the whole thing was a stunt to inflate 2009's ticket prices and ensure it was a sell out to raise extra funds for something or someone! Bernie loves to cause a fuss, and get a lot of press coverage - looks how many times HE (not the sport) has made the headlines, but at the end of the day common sense usually prevails, and common sense says Silverstone will stay on the calendar for years to come!! (at least thats what i hope!)

Posted 15:54 30th October 2009

Sass Saddi says...

Well I couldn't care less if F1 is run at Donnington or not. I would say that Moto GP ran there perfectly well there for many years. With good facilities as for Silverstone I have heard nothing but bad reports. I think that Mr Ecclestone can't call a GP a British GP if it is not in Britain! This is another case of the wallet doing the talking and not doing something for the greater good of the sport. It is ridiculous to think of Britain not have a GP. The fact that so many teams are based here should tell him that. Just goes to show what damage an oversized ego can cause!

Posted 15:25 30th October 2009

Stating the Obvious says...

The reason why Bernie is doing this to the British GP, whether it be Donnington or Silverstone is quite well publicised. Bernie has a clear issue with the BRDC and their elements of control over F1 in the UK that he has no input towards. The problems with Silverstone goes a long way back. It was mentioned a couple of years ago that a possible reason for all of this is...Bernie is trying to put Silverstone and the BRDC out of business, and when this happens who do you think is going to come in with an offer to buy Silverstone and the permanent rights to stage a British GP at all?!?!?! Yep you guessed it, Mr Ecclestone! Then he'll have his own GP in his own home country to mess around with as much as he wants. He isn't going to carry on in his current role forever, so for the UK to lose it's race for a couple of years, only for him to then return as saviour is what he has been plotting for years! Wise up F1 fellow F1 fans! If FOTA managed to get rid of Max, surely we can get rid of Bernie somehow too?!?

Posted 15:04 30th October 2009

Jim Round says...

Whilst I am not a great F1 fan, Britain needs and deserves a Grand Prix, just think of the extra revenue it brings into the country. Silverstone has improved its facilities out of all recognition in recent times. The local police have great traffic control in place, local hotels are geared up for the fans, its central and convenient for motorways international airports and rail links. Bernie (God) Ecclestone don't bury your head in the sand, remember use it or loose it !!!!

Posted 14:24 30th October 2009

F1 Fan says...

By the time most men reach Bernie Ecclestones age and wealth they become interested in history and the legacy they are going to leave behind. The 'newer' grand prix's built in the middle of nowhere have demonstrated that there is no grass roots support for F1 in these countries, but has more to do with the ego's of their politicians or ruling families. I do not wish the man any malice, but at his age he won't be around much longer, so we can only hope whoever picks it up once he goes, will have more respect and want to put something back into the sport. Then again he will probably just sell out to a foreign conglomerate.

Posted 14:07 30th October 2009

Gill Dowling says...

Many years ago Silverstone and Brands Hatch used to "share " the British Grand Prix. Both circuits offered a diifferent challenge to the F1 cars and drivers and provided the spectators with a enthralling and entertaining race . I was proud to be there the year that British fans blocked the track after race officials refused to allow James Hunt to start. In fact my Dad was one of the organisers of the British GP for many years. He and many other "old " names in motorsport would be turning in their graves at the thought that there may not be a British GP. From a country that has produced many World Champions to one that doesnt have its own GP. Shame on you Mr Ecclestone.

Posted 12:47 30th October 2009

Malcolm Jordan says...

Bernie your have made your wealth from F1 and I personally don't decry yourdoing so. Many others would love to be able to go to every F1 meeting throughout the year and yes maybe throw a couple of pound in the kitty, but many of us have to exist on penssions which we have worked for and TV is our only enjoyable view of F1. Please please don't deprive the British of OUR F1 we created it in the first place and yes we think if you have been fortunate enough to become a multi millionair of the back of F1 you should be honour bound to suport it to the hilt . You would find bigger honours by doing so. Who knows Sir Bernie

Posted 12:36 30th October 2009

Doc Sherrington says...

This stupid dispute over the British GP is a disgrace. As the F1 teams have been forced to accept a cap on their budgets and FIA insist costs have to be reduced to "save the sport " (sic) When is Ecclestone going to 'cap' his ludicrous demands in order to ensure the future of Grand Prix racing at the historic and classic circuits of the World? He won't be around forever and when he goes how long do we think circuits like Abu Dhabi will host F1? The sport belongs to the fans, no one else. It's time the power brokers realised this and started putting something back for the fans. America has got the message and that's why they won't put on a Grand Prix - the sums don't add up and the fans get short changed. Come on F1 fans, save F1.

Posted 12:23 30th October 2009

Sarah Smith says...

It warms my heart to see so how many people in support for the British GP and also how many people see what a greedy, two-faced man Bernie Ecclestone really is. If the British GP is taken away we will never get it back. And regardless of whether Bernie is a buiness man on not, if the fans weren't paying for tickets across the world he wouldn't be the man he is........ Let our British champions race on a British track!!!

Posted 11:04 30th October 2009

Di Tucker says...

If Bernie was not driven by greed and thought more of the Briitish motor racing fans, then there would not be a problem !!

Posted 10:33 30th October 2009

Si Brown says...

Silverstone is the best place to hold the f1 they have spent a fortune on the bypass so that they could keep the gp there. Donnington park has always been a bike curcuit and a good one at that and they have now spoilt it by trying to box above their wieght. I think that silverstone should keep the gp.

Posted 09:56 30th October 2009

Dan Norton says...

In response to Juan Grinans comments. Silverstone has spent a lot of cash on the facilities over the last 10 years. I dont agree with your comments at all, car parks are good, access into the circuit is good, take a pack up if food is overpriced, and the beer is warm for a reason....to stop idiots getting "lashed up" Compared to other circuits in europe and other parts of the world, Silverstone is way ahead of them. Go to Spa in Belgium, and you will have zero car park facilities (big muddy fields are choice there), cold hot dogs, muddy grass banks to sit on, and toilet facilities that consists of trees and shrubs to do your business against. Also, having visted the Brazilian GP last year....let me just say that donington park in its current construction site guise has more facilities that c**p hole! Its quite obvious that this whole situation is caused be the fact F1 demand simply way too much money to hold an event. Night races in Abu Dhabi!?!?!.....yes, thats for the fans isnt it! (thats sarcasm by the way)

Posted 08:45 30th October 2009

Ken Wraight says...

Why not alternate the gb gp betweeen Brands Hatch next year then Silverstone and perhaps Donnington in rotation ,give the fans in each part of the uk to have a gp in thier own part of the uk

Posted 08:25 30th October 2009

Malcolm Crooks says...

whislt i am disappointed Donington will not host next years race I am mindfull that Bernie is purely a business man and he wont be held to ransom over any deal for Silverstone.He is in this business to make money not friends.I am sure though that a deal will be done for next years British GP.Maybe Brands Hatch is an option I am all for new tracks being used to add excitement to the sport.

Posted 07:33 30th October 2009

Juan Grinan says...

Silverstone a world class track??? stinking portaloos , overpriced grub and warm beer... not to mention the car park facilities ( or the lack of ) rude security and poor preparation for the last three years and all for the princely fee of at least 250 quid ,,,,,,,,.... yeah absolutely ,,, world class sxxx

Posted 03:50 30th October 2009

Graham Deville says...

the interests of F1 will always come second to ecclestone's greed. The sooner the brdc and others with the necessary influence wake up and break the leech's stranglehold the better.

Posted 00:46 30th October 2009

Steve Jones says...

As with so many sporting events F1 is effectively a defacto monopoly. Sure, one might argue that someone could start an alternative but the pragmatic reality is that F1 has 100% of the negotiating power. (much in the same way as the Premiership does for the football that most people actually want to watch) No easy way around this if you want a market based system without government interference. If you don't mind the government involvement, one idea would be to extend the monopoly laws to deal with such anomalies that are difficult to avoid. For example, didn't the government once step in to ensure that at least some England games would be available on national TV and not the exclusive property of one TV network?

Posted 23:30 29th October 2009

Chris Allison says...

I really hope that Bernie and Damon Hill's group can thrash out a deal that will keep a British GP- Along with Monza, Spa and Suzuka, it is iconic to F1. It would be a sad day in F1 history when there's no more British GP, that's for sure.

Posted 23:06 29th October 2009

Rhett Hayes says...

why does bernie have such a problem with silverstone? I've been to loads of european tracks and at this present time silverstone is a world class circuit!! Perhaps it lacks a harem or something???

Posted 22:37 29th October 2009
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