Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has denied reports that he is planning to step in and fund the revamp of the Donington Park track in order to rekindle the track's hopes of staging next season's British Grand Prix.
Earlier this week, Donington leaseholder Simon Gillett said that there was still a hope that the Leicestershire track could host next season's British leg of the F1 championship, despite his company being placed in administration and the initial 17-year contract with Ecclestone collapsing when he was unable to raise the funds required to redevelop the circuit.
But he did admit that a new deal would only be possible with £100 million of outside investment from a third party.
But according to the Daily Express, Ecclestone has denied he would look to fund the project, despite always being in favour of a switch to the track from Silverstone. Earlier this week he hinted that there was still a chance that the British GP could still be at Donington next year "if someone comes along with the right ideas and funding".
He was reported to have bought a hotel called Donington Hall, which is next to the track, with a view of taking over the whole track itself and funding the redevelopment.
“I have not the slightest interest in buying Donington or running the British Grand Prix there,” Ecclestone blustered to the newspaper, adding: “What is Donington Hall?”
Ecclestone has set a deadline of 9th December for the British GP future to be sorted, with Silverstone reported to be close to finalising a 10-year deal to continue hosting the race from next year.
In an interview with London's Evening Standard, British Racing Drivers Club president Damon Hill said: "The hurdle is making sure the deal is mutually beneficial, that's got to be part of it, so we don't end up with another false start.”
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