Buyer for Donington?

Buyer sought: Donington (www.sutton-images.com)

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Administrators for Donington Park are hopeful a buyer for the embattled circuit can be found as early as this week.

The Leicestershire track has been left in a state of disrepair ever since audacious plans for it to host the British Grand Prix fell through owing to a lack of funding.

Work to upgrade the track to the required standing was halted as a result, with last ditch plans to raise the £135 million needed to complete the work coming to nought in late October.

The track's leaseholder, Donington Ventures Leisure Limited, went into administration last month.

Administrator Nigel Price has revealed that three potential buyers have expressed an interest, with a deal potentially in place by the end of the week.

However, he also admitted the track will have to set its sights lower than Formula One for the foreseeable future.

"There is a break clause on either side of 10 years, so that closes the door on Formula One at Donington in that time scale," Price told the Derby Telegraph.

"However, we are still in negotiations with three parties with a view to Donington continuing to operate as a national and club circuit.

"We are hopeful a deal can be done by the end of this week," he added.

DVLL agreed a 17-year deal with Formula One commercial rights controller Bernie Ecclestone in July 2008 to take over the race from Silverstone.

However, following the collapse of Donington's plans, it was announced on Monday that Silverstone will continue to stage the race.