I would have had this article up on the site about 4 hours ago but my internet at work has been playing up and I havent been able to get access to the site unfortunately. So the "Finger" isnt exactly on "The Pulse" right now, my apologies but I am going to post this anyway because why waste a good article.
Just recently I wrote an article on 60 years of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, its 60 and out because this morning it has been announced that Donington Parkhas won the contract for a 10 year deal to host the British Grand Prix until 2020.
Joint CEO’s Simon Gillet and Lee Gill made the following statement:
“We are naturally delighted and extremely proud to have acquired the rights to bring Formula One back to Donington Parkfrom 2010. At the beginning of last year when we acquired the circuit and its substantial lands, we made clear our commitment towards realising the full potential of the Park by making the necessary investments in current and future events that will see Donington revitalised ensuring its leading position as one of the most iconic racing circuits in the world. To that end, we have now entered a new and exciting chapter in the development of the Park and one that will bring significant investment and regional development while securing the future of one of the most important and significant sporting events in Britain.”
“Donington Ventures Leisure Limited has worked closely with the local and national authorities in consideration of the planning requirements that are necessary to provide a first class facility for the hosting of F1 in 2010. The details of this and the Donington Park master plan that outlines a 5 year investment programme of some £100m, will be provided at a future date.”
“The investment will be led by a private investor who is also a large shareholder.”
“Today’s signing of the contract with Formula One Management Limited brings to an end a period of commercial negotiations, none of which would have been possible without the support of Mr Ecclestone and FOM. However, Donington Ventures are still engaged in negotiations with other important third parties that should be concluded in a matter of days. Only when this is done, will they release further information to the media.”
Bernie Ecclestone and The British Racing Drivers Club had been in talks to secure the future of the British Grand Prix for a period of time now but Bernie and the BRDC have never seen eye to eye on these matters. A lot of people had seen a breakdown coming from a mile off and were already bracing for a shock, myself included and here it is on the weekend of the British GP, the bomb has been dropped.
Bernie Ecclestone said the following in response to today’s decision:
“We wanted a world class venue for F1 in Britain, something that the teams and fans could be proud of, Donington's development plans will give us exactly that, a venue to put British motor sport back on the map.”
Ecclestone then went on to say that he was disappointed that the British Government had not intervened to help Silverstone to get up to the standards required to maintain the British GP at the site by saying the following:
“I am sorry that we could not have helped Silverstone to raise the money to carry out the circuit improvements and run F1, I believe that the government should have supported them which would have cost probably less than 0.002% of the government's commitment for the Olympic Games.”
So the British Grand Prix moves to Donington Parkwhere the GP hasn’t been held there since 1993 when Ayrton Senna won a historic wet weather race. It was then known as the European GP.
Times where very different back in 1993 and a lot has changed in the sport since then, so how will that affect the circuit? Well it’s going to have to make some pretty drastic changes to get up to speed with what Ecclestone will expect.
I try to remain neutral in stories like this but I am VERY passionate about my home GP and I think that it is wrong to be moving to Donington just because Mr. Ecclestone doesn't get on with The BRDC very well.
It is a well known fact that Silverstone’s facilities although often critisised by Bernie Ecclestone are of a very high standard and are certainly of a higher standard than that of Donington’s. Silverstone is good to go and it has been proven that the GP can be held there for the future provided that changes are to be made.
Our friend Max Mosley had a few things to say on this matter and he was quoted the following:
“We understand that the development program 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.”
Donington Parkwill need a lot more development than Silverstone will to host the British GP. Donington will initially need the track lengthening and widening. All facilities including pit lane facilities will need a huge overhaul and finally, do you think the traffic problem will be better than Silverstone?
You would be very wrong, Donington Parkcurrently hosts Moto GP and at last months race spectators where stranded in the car park for hours after the race. The venue of the track is very convenient but it’s actually entering and leaving the track that proves to be the problem.
So are we any better off having the British GP at Donington or is it going to be just another catastrophe of a decision by Bernie Ecclestone who continues with his vision of the future of the sport that seems to annoy everyone else around him, oh well, as long as he is happy pulling the strings.
Let’s compare the two tracks and you can make your own informed decision on where the British GP should rightly be held. I want you; the British citizen, he who sits with his mug of tea and the morning paper with his biscuits for dunking make the call.
Circuit Length
Silverstone – 5.141km (3.194m)
Donington – 4.023km (2.500m)
Corners
Silverstone – 17
Donington – 12
Lap Time (GP Circuit) Record
Silverstone – 1:18:739 (M Schumacher, Ferrari)
Donington – 1:18:029 (A Senna, McLaren)
Years in Formula 1
Silverstone – 60 Years (43 Grand Prix)
Donington – 1 Year (1 Grand Prix) (Which incidentally wasn’t the British Grand Prix but the European GP)
Just goes to show in my opinion that Silverstone is tried and tested and should be the track where the money is spent, not Donington, I am sure that this will cause MASSIVE ripples throughout the British Formula 1 fans. Bernie Ecclestone, brace yourself my friend, I believe you are in for a rough old ride, what do you guys think?
Ben, Over and Out!
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about 1 month ago
.................Received. Great Article , They Are Being Fired Off Today . Nice Little Comparison Between the two Circuits Which Proves In Black And White That This Is A Stupid Decision . And They Will Need To Spend A Lot More Money Wise And Effort Wise To Get Donnington Up To Silverstone-ish Standards . Im Angry . GRRRRRRRR . Bernie U R A TIT .
from about 1 month ago
Yeah it has been a busy old day on Bleacher, I best get cracking on some comments, I have only been gone 10 minutes, ha ha ! Glad you liked mate, feel like a bit of a hypocrite for writing this because its a clear duplicate but like I said, I had it wrote hours ago but the bloody internet went down so I could only get it online now which is too late ! Its silly to spend all this money on Donington, it should be spent on Silverstone - THE HOME OF BRITISH MOTOR RACING ... THE HOME ... THE ... HOME ! ! ! ! Grrrrr ... I am so angry ! I dont think there will be one person who agrees with this move, anyone who does, please show yourself !
about 1 month ago
Ohhhh he strikes again, great stuff Ben although this time you are the bearer of bad news, I was very angry when I heard this on the news while I am eating my lunch, couldnt believe it and you know I just knew there was an article on the way from you. Great comparison at the end, wish there was more that you could compare so we could have more of a say on it but you have picked out all you could. Well done for that. Another great article. You will run out of steam soon surely? Lol.
from about 1 month ago
Ey up Miles ... Thanks for comments, sorry for bad news but it had to be done ... Have to keep you guys in the loop ! Yeah I agree that I wish I had more to compare just to show the reason that this is a stupid move ! As for me running out of steam ... Nah, not just yet ! Ha ha ha !
about 1 month ago
Well There Has Been One Person Wo Agrees With The Move Up To Now , A Guy Called Keith , Purely Based On The Fact That His Wellington Boots Got Ruined In One Of The Camping Fields Around Silverstone , But He Is In A Minority Of 3 , Him , Bernie And Mosely .
I Cant See Any Other People Being Behind It , Not Fans Anyway .
And Your Not A Hypocrite Mate , Your Version Of The Story Had Different Points In It Compared To Michael Like The Comparisons . . Plus Its Not A Duplicate Grand Prix Report So Its All Good In The Hood . And The Very Fact That There No One Is Able To Put A Proper Comparison Together Shows That This Is The Wrong Move . If There Had Been 30 Donington F1 Races Before Then Fair Enough But One Doesnt Cut The Mustard .
from about 1 month ago
Thanks mate ... Appreciate it !
I like to think I keep things fresh and not a carbon copy to everything else wrote on the day.
about 1 month ago
This really shocked me when I heard it earlier, very shocking indeed.
It seems to me that Bernie just wanted to screw the BRDC over because he hates them so much. Taking the race to Donington really sticks the two fingers up to Silverstone.
However the key think here is that Donington is willing to do lots of work to get the track up to scratch whereas at Silverstone they have been scratching their backsides for too long and doing nothing. I think they underestimated Bernie, they thought he would never take the British GP away and especially not to another track but he has done.
Alot of work is needed at Donington, the track needs to be made a bit longer, more run-off area is needed, the pits and paddock need improving, and road access will be very important as well.
I think the GP was fine at Silverstone, no real need to move it from my point of view but I have no doubts that Donington Park can pull it off and become an event for all the Brits on this site to be very proud and for everyone else to enjoy.
There is an airport next to the track so it will be an easy one to visit for fans abroad. Thats certainly one big plus.
from about 1 month ago
Yes Bernie clearly doesnt like BRDC for one reason or another ... Probably because they wont pay him his millions to keep the race, BERNIE YOU HAVE ENOUGH BLOODY MONEY !
I kind of agree with you that Silverstone have taken their time but to be fair they have only just got the planning permission for the improvments, after that, what more does he want, everything else is done ... Bloody Donington !
Donington needs practically ripping up and starting again so why not just have a purpose built track made and then we will have something to be proud of ?
I just really hope that Donny will be as good as they are making out ... If it is then game on we have something to sing and dance about but if not then whats the bloody point, it makes us Brits look stupid !
about 1 month ago
i really cant believe it.
donington park taking the GP F1 away from Silverstone. its a travesty. just not right at all. dont think i would have minded if it was only a short contract to scare silverstone into sorting out the puts (or at least giving them time too) but a 10 year contract is just just on !
bernie needs to look at his head. he is just trying to play God and its not on !
from about 1 month ago
I agree ... Good news is that Silverstone are going to go ahead regardless with the renovation so hopefully when Bernie realises the mistake he has made then the GP will go home, Silverstone, WE WILL BE BACK ! Sooner rather than later I hope ... I suppose what will be good is if Donington gets up to the standard needed then we have 2 tracks and we can rotate ... Suppose thats a plus point ?
about 1 month ago
I'm a moto gp fan & an F1 fan. I do track days on my bike & i've ridden both circuits & attended F1 at Silverstone & Moto gp at Donington. I believe Ecclestone to be a complete idiot, this stupid move will ruin both venues. Donington is an awesome track for bikes- widening it for F1 will change the wonderful curves which are so suited to bikes, it will be a huge loss for us. Also, the circuit will never be up to scratch for f1 in 2 years, no chance. I attended this year's moto gp at Donington & was one of mant thousands trapped in the car-parks for 4 hours, crazy. F1 would bring bigger crowds & bigger delays. It needs so much doing to get it anywhere near Silverstone's current high standards, it's impossible, they're dreaming. The facilities & roads into Silverstone are superb, they've done wonders in the last 10 years, & the circuit is an awesome F1 track.
I'd love to punch that total w'!@+^r Ecclestone on his fat ugly snout!
All fans should hold a big protest.
Dave Cropley.
from about 1 month ago
Wow David, thank you so much ... We of course didnt think of things from a Moto GP fans point of view, So you guys are unhapy at this too ... So as a Moto GP fan you dont want it at Donington to spoil your track and as an F1 fan you dont want it there because ... Well, Silverstone is home ... As for it being ready in 2 years, it seems to be the general consensus that it wont be so thats not a good thing !
about 1 month ago
will there still be room for the download rock festival after the improvments which has been held every june for years, if not keep it at silverstone please
from about 1 month ago
Oh yeah good point ... VERY good point ... Wonder if that was even taken into consideration ?
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