Bernie Ecclestone has relvealed serious doubts as to whether the Donington Park track can possibly be ready in time to fulfil it's role as host for the British GP next season, after the owners missed yet another financial deadline.
The organisers of the track, which is planned to undergo a major, Hermann Tilke-designed redesign to bring the circuit up to F1 standards, had originally been given until the end of September to provide Ecclestone and the FIA with proof of their financial package.
When this deadline was missed, Ecclestone, in a rare burst of generosity, extended it until yesterday to give the planners more time to come up with the required details.
But now it seems that this deadline has also been missed, and although Ecclestone replied that people should "wait until Monday to write the truth" when asked about the latest setback for the Midlands track, he also admitted that he couldn't now see how the redevelopment could possibly be ready in time for next season.
"It's not good, is it?" Ecclestone told The Times newspaper, "Even if they get the money, I cannot see how it will all be ready in time to go.
"It is very disappointing because we thought it would happen, but they cannot go on missing deadlines."
He added that there was still a hope that the money may surface, but the schedule for the rebuilding was now the main problem, adding: "They could still come to us saying they have the money, but there is no way the circuit would be ready at this late stage. It looks as though we will have to start planning again."
The Donington Park track was handed a 17-year contract to act as host for the British Grand Prix from next season, although major improvementsare required not only to the track layout, but also the access routes to the track, the infrastructure behind the scenes and the paddock area.
Although work began earlier this year, hold-ups with the financing of the project, as well as planning delays and a bizarre legal spat between the promoters and the owners of the track over unpaid rent, have forced the redevelopment to be pushed back.
The redesign of the track, which would see Donington's layout almost completely altered, save for the section from Redgate to MacLeans corner, is set to see a new infield loop added to lengthen the track, and the start/finish line moved to the straight just after MacLeans.
If the whole project collapses, Ecclestone has said that the British round of the championship would default back to Silverstone. Though whether that would be a one-off arrangement in order to give Onington an extra 12 months to finish rebuilding is unclear.
The 2010 British Grand Prix is set for the weekend of the 9th-11th of July.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
