The Announcement Friday 4th July |
On Friday 4th July, after tense negotiations between the British Racing Drivers Club and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclesone, the decision to transfer the British Grand Prix to Donington Park in Leicestershire from 2010 was revealed, just as all the fans were preparing for this year’s event at Silverstone.
This is despite multi-million pound improvement plans for the circuit, aimed at securing the long term future of the British Grand Prix received the backing of Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northants Council.
In a statement issued on Friday, Damon Hill, president of the BRDC, and Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone Circuits Ltd, said “The BRDC and Silverstone set out on a campaign to retain the British Grand Prix some time ago. Silverstone remains in a unique position of being able to host a British Grand Prix today and in the future. Planning permission has been secured for a new pit and paddock complex, as well as an impressive range of improvements to the circuit and facilities. British motor racing has long been on the map, with Silverstone at its heart. We already have an active plan to fund and build the facilities FOM asked us to deliver”.
The Chamber of Commerce believe that the race is worth £40 million a year to Northants. Cllr Mary Clarke, deputy leader of the South Northants Council, said: “We are very concerned at the effect this will have on local businesses that are reliant on motorsport”. |
Bernie: No way back for Silverstone Monday, 07 July 2008 |
Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that there is no way back onto the Formula 1 calendar for Silverstone after next year, and that if the Donington Park revamp should falter, Britain will simply lose its grand prix.
Damon Hill, the president of Silverstone's owner the British Racing Drivers' Club, had suggested that Silverstone would be ready to step in if Donington had any problems with its upgrade.
But Ecclestone says this is not an option, and that Donington will be the only place where a British race will be held from 2010.
- “We won’t come back (to Silverstone),” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by The Times newspaper
- “We’re in the same situation as we were before Donington came into the deal.
- "I am sure they will be ready but, if not, we will sign with another country.
- "There won’t be a British Grand Prix, pure and simple.”
Donington's owners have pledged to carry on a £100 million redevelopment to bring the Leicestershire track up to F1 standards.
The work will include a new pit and paddock complex, new infrastructure outside the track and significant additions to the track layout.
But the track's joint CEO Simon Gillett admitted yesterday that not all the funding for this project was in place and that a debenture scheme would be launched shortly. |
Donington outlines planned changes Thursday, 10 July 2008 |
| Donington Park CEO Simon Gillett has outlined how the circuit plans to transform itself into the new home of the British Grand Prix from 2010 – a challenge he insists it will meet.
As the dust settles following last week’s shock announcement that the British round of the championship will switch from its traditional home at Silverstone to Donington in two years’ time, attention has now turned to how the Leicestershire track will carry out its promised £100 million revamp.
Joint CEO Gillett had already acknowledged that the 2.5-mile circuit would have to be altered to accommodate F1 cars, while also vowing to retain its iconic sections such as the Craner Curves.
Gillett has now revealed that the changes include the creation of a half-mile infield loop linking the Melbourne hairpin with the current start/finish straight to extend the lap.
“Off the Melbourne loop, instead of going around Goddards corner and 180 degrees onto the start/finish straight, you’ll go straight on and do a half-mile loop before going back onto the start/finish straight,” he told Autosportmagazine.
The magazine reports that the track changes, which will be overseen by F1’s resident designer Hermann Tilke, could also include the bypassing of the chicane at the end of the back straight to create a longer run to the tight Melbourne hairpin.
In addition, the pit and paddock complex – which in its present guise is too small to house modern-day F1 teams, trucks and equipment – would be moved and a new complex built on the inside of the back straight.
Another hurdle that will need to be cleared before the parkland circuit is ready to host the 2010 event is access to the venue, with just a single-lane road connecting it to the M1 motorway and the yearly MotoGP event already beset by heavy traffic jams
And while a Silverstone-style bypass has been mooted, Gillett says extensive park and ride schemes will be in operation to manage the traffic flow.
“We have acquired the right to a lot of new sites as well within walking distance, which means we don’t bring everyone into the Park,” he said.
“There’s going to be a lot of park-and-ride and park-and-walk so were not bringing them all into one place.”
While the proposals have yet to reach the planning officers at the local council, Gillett has said the track’s master plan will be unveiled soon and that work will start on the upgrades in the autumn.
“We close the circuit [every year] from October to March expect for testing, and we’re going to be doing the same this year,” he told the magazine.
“During that period we’re going to be doing all the works that need to be done to the track to bring us up to FIA standard.”
However uncertainly remains over how the ambitious project will be financed.
The circuit initially said in a statement last week that the funding would be led by a private investor, before Gillett suggested to ITV Sport over the British GP weekend that it would come from a debenture scheme, or long-term bond.
Gillet, though, insists that the transformation of Donington will come off as promised.
“You don’t enter a contract with Bernie Ecclestone without thinking about it long and hard,” he said. “We are ready.” |
| Donington Do Not Have Permission To Upgrade Circuit... Yet |
| Donington Park does not yet have planning permission to carry out the work necessary to host the British grand prix in 2010.
Paddock observers have pointed out the solemn task the venue faces in finding not only the money but the time to get up to Bernie Ecclestone's high standards as it takes over from Silverstone.
The Guardian newspaper now reveals that planning documents have not yet even been submitted to the local North West Leicestershire district council.
"We have not yet actually received the planning application although we have been talking through the project with the race promoters during the phase prior to last week's official announcement," a council spokesman, Ian Hill, confirmed.
"Obviously we have little experience of a project on this scale and once we become involved we will be looking at it from an overall viewpoint, talking to the owners on an ongoing basis.
"Our approach will be dictated by the need to get things right for such a major global sporting event, while at the same time addressing whatever needs and concerns arise among the local residents.
"Of course the sheer scale of this project is such that we will be working closely with the highways agency and the police authorities from the very start," he added.
The Guardian recalls that, in 1999, Brands Hatch similarly tried to satisfy Ecclestone's high standards and host the British grand prix, but the event ultimately stayed at Silverstone, the event's permanent host since 1987. |
| Silverstone Development Brief Pushes Ahead Thursday, 31st July 2008 |
Planning guidance that will shape the development of Silverstone will still go ahead, but without the housing.
It was announced at full Council last night (Wednesday, 30 July) that the applicants, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), has now withdrawn these homes from the application, following concerns from local residents made during the consultation process.
The Development Brief, which includes an education campus, a new business park, hotels and restaurants and a welcome centre with a museum, was approved in principle by South Northamptonshire Council earlier this year.
However, BRDC needed to show that they could only fund their plans for a new pit and paddock complex though an ‘enabling’ development of new homes in Silverstone village.
The consultants the Council was using, will no longer be working on the enablement case as the houses have been withdrawn. Plans for the pit and paddock will be phased.
Councillor Sandra Barnes, Leader of the Council, said:
“We have worked closely with BRDC and Aylesbury Vale District Council on these plans for a long time. The Development Brief is an important document that will be used in conjunction with our planning policies to guide any development at the circuit”
The Council will continue to liaise with officers from Aylesbury Vale District Council, BRDC and other partners to finalise the Development Brief.
The Development Brief means Silverstone can continue to be one of the world’s leading motorsport venues and the foremost centre for research and skills development. It will also bring a range of facilities and services of benefit to local communities, and cement Silverstone’s position as the home of British motor racing. |
| Donington boss: we'll be ready for British GP Wednesday, 11th February 2009 |
| The 2010 British Grand Prix will be held at Donington Park, says the circuit's owner, despite reports that financial problems could ruin the project.
Simon Gillett dismissed rumours that his organisation is struggling to secure the estimated £100 million needed to make Donington a Grand Prix-worthy venue.
"It's business as usual at Donington Park and absolutely nothing has changed," he told the BBC.
Planning permission for a series of circuit upgrades was awarded in January, giving Donington Park a little more than a year to prepare for July 2010's race.
The track will be lengthened to three miles, while the paddock will feature a new race control centre, a media centre and a pit lane fitted out to the latest standards. Building work started last week.
Controversial plans to introduce a park and ride system for spectators at the circuit have been criticised. But Gillett is staying positive.
"Our plans are not dreams, but vision. We will succeed," he insisted. |
| Ecclestone extends Donington's F1 deadline Thursday, 24th September 2009 |
Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday said he is prepared to slightly relax an end-of-September deadline for Donington to have its plans all in place for the 2010 British Grand Prix.
The F1 chief executive said recently that the circuit has until the end of this month to guarantee its funding, and it is believed that the September deadline is also enshrined in Donington's F1 contract.
"Their problem is a financial one, it is (a matter of) them getting the money together," Ecclestone told reporters at an event in Singapore.
"Everything was done and ready and when this (global financial) crisis arrived the banks pulled the plug on them.
"It (the deadline) was the end of September but I think we may extend it a bit, by two or three days. I think we have given them until October 3," the Briton added.
Ecclestone has said that if Donington cannot be ready to host Britain's F1 race next year, the sport will instead remain at Silverstone.
Also on Thursday, the 78-year-old also said he is still hoping to see America soon return to the Formula One calendar, preferably with a street race in New York City.
"Obviously Manhattan," Ecclestone answered when asked about his preference. "I will tell when it happens if I can do it or not. We were told we couldn't do a race in Singapore..."
© CAPSIS International |
| Silverstone Circuit Gets Parliamentary Delegation Today Monday, 23rd Novenber 2009
Author: Andrea Leadsom |
| Andrea Leadsom, the Conservative candidate for Towcester and South Northants, is delighted that a Parliamentary delegation is visiting her constituency today to see the Silverstone circuit for itself. She said:
“Everyone agrees that keeping the Grand Prix at Silverstone is vital for the local economy as well as for Britain. In June of this year a record 310 000 people attended the event over 3 days – locally the motorsport and related industries here employ 40 000 people. Not having a Grand Prix at Silverstone would be like not holding the FA Cup Final at Wembley! Silverstone is the oldest event on Formula One’s calendar - there is overwhelming support for a Grand Prix at Silverstone from fans, drivers and teams.”
The FIA confirmed last month that it is now promoting research into sustainability, providing information and guidance on best environmental practices, procedures and technologies that can be applied to motor sport. Motorsport is going green - Max Mosley wants to see Formula One take the lead in developing green technology which he sees as absolutely fundamental.
Andrea said:
“ Keeping the British Grand Prix at Silverstone will help to save fuel and save energy by minimising the need for the many locally based teams and their cars to travel. From every perspective the argument for retaining the Grand Prix at Silverstone is overwhelming and I hope that today’s delegation will influence Mr Ecclestone to reach the right decision for Great Britain and for Northamptonshire.” |
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Silverstone signs 17-year deal for British Grand Prix Monday, 7th December 2009 |
Silverstone has agreed a 17-year deal to host the British Grand Prix from 2010, ensuring the prestigious race is not axed from the Formula 1 calendar.
The Northamptonshire circuit stepped in to stage the event, which next year takes place on 11 July, after Donington Park was stripped of the rights.
And the news ensures the oldest race on the F1 calendar retains its place.
Under the new agreement, Silverstone, which hosted this year's British Grand Prix in July, will be redeveloped.
The modernisation of the facilities at Silverstone, which first staged the British Grand Prix in 1948, will focus on rebuilding the pit lanes and paddock - with work due to start as soon as possible after Christmas.
"This announcement is tremendous news," said 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill who is president of the British Racing Drivers Club president (BRDC), which owns Silverstone.
"It's not easy to enter into an agreement of this magnitude. It's a big commitment.
"But the BRDC felt we wanted this relationship to continue, and we were prepared to back the negotiating team, with the level of risk satisfactory for the deal to go ahead."
F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said: "This will ensure the British Grand Prix is included on the Formula 1 calendar for many years to come, which is something I've always wanted to happen."
Talks had been ongoing between Formula 1 management and Silverstone since Donington Park failed to show it had the necessary £135m funding.
The main delay in establishing a deal appears to have been the length of the contract and the inclusion of a 7% annual escalation fee.
Silverstone admitted it needed to improve its ageing facilities, but insisted it needed the security of a longer-term contract to justify and help raise the finances needed to upgrade.
The contract on the table was believed to demand a £12m fee for 2010, with an increase of 7% per year after that, however it is now understood that the increase has been pegged at 5%.
There is also a clause in the contract that allows either side to end the contract after 10 years.
BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle: "It's brilliant news. I always assumed it would happen in the end because everyone wanted the same thing. The new circuits are exciting and interesting but they always had to balance up with the historic circuits, like Silverstone."
Silverstone managing director Richard Phillips said: "We've always had five-year deals and never been able to get the investment we needed to redevelop.
"But 17 years gives us the ability to invest and move forward.
"We've always had the belief the British Grand Prix was an important cornerstone of Formula One but, with Bernie, you're never quite sure, at the end of the day, though, you have to have a British Grand Prix."
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