Comments on: Silverstone Loses Out To Donington Park From 2010 Onwards

By: Donington Park Already In Trouble? » BlogF1

Donington Park Already In Trouble? » BlogF1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:00:28 +0000

[...] and its assets. Since then, the track has been awarded the British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards, the deal being announced at this years event last [...]

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:18:00 +0000

On the face of it good news, future of the race secured and a more central location. I am concerned about their ability to raise the kind of finance they need in the current climate and also the timescale involved. Knowing how long it takes to get through planning and then actually get the work done in this country it makes the 2010 deadline look tight. Also concerned about what Tilke might do to Donnington, his tracks are generally characterless, dull and unchallenging only positive is the changes he made to Spa. I know the drivers like Istanbul, but to watch it’s not particularly interesting. Good luck to them and prove me wrong and please Mr Tilke add an extra loop and leave the original track alone!

By: Oliver White

Oliver White — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:24:01 +0000

@Jamie: Yeah, the first corner and the Craner Curves are pretty exciting. I wasn’t aware of Tilke being at the track as Vi84 mentioned above, but as Bernie says, “they’re completely rebuilding it”. And as Tilke’s the favourited track designer by Bernie and the Band, he’ll probably get involved somehow.

@Caleb: According to Bernie, the contract has been signed. That’s it, no going back. Those were pretty much his words when he spoke to ITV in qualifying (or prior to qualy anyway). And interestingly, it was the FIA who made the announcement. Ecclestone was there, I believe, but the statement came from Max. Normally the FIA doesn’t get too involved in where the races are. They play a part, but in the past it was always Bernie who made the announcement. I get the impression there is something else going on in the background, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:16:35 +0000

Maybe I lack the familiarity to both circuits being from Canada, but isn’t this the equivalent of going from the penthouse (or at least a fully functional home) to the outhouse? It sounds like Bernie is going for the shock and awe of making this announcement right before race weekend starts simply to get people moving. I wouldn’t be the least surprised if this is nothing more than an attempt to get either the BRDC or the British government to cough up the money he needs to get Silverstone to where he wants it to be.

Even if the intent is to move the race to Donington, where’s the rich bugger who will pay for the upgrades??? (since the facilities there supposedly make Silverstone look like Sepang by comparison) Just to get the facilities to the level Silverstone is currently at would cost more then the proposed upgrades to Silverstone.

Hopefully this is Bernie just getting his panties in a knot again…

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:43:14 +0000

I swear, if Tilke even contemplates modifying either Q1 or Q2 of Donnington Park, he, and his business associates will see a brick fly through their window.

I’m not unduly disappointed with Silverstone’s Grand Prix exit, as the Leicestershire venue is an excellent circuit. The only element the modern organisation is disassociating themselves with is the purest sporting foundations and rich heritage of Formula One, and i’m sure fanatics will eventually reduce their speculation of this surprising agreement.

By: Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:48:21 +0000

I have to say I am shocked at this decision. Not only do I regard Silverstone as The motorsport venue in the UK, but it’s also technically challenging and a thrill to drive on.

I hope that they do improve the facilities substantially before 2010.

Ste

By: Silverstone 2008 vs. Donington Park 2008 » BlogF1

Silverstone 2008 vs. Donington Park 2008 » BlogF1 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:25:55 +0000

[...] some of you may be aware by now, Silverstone has lost the British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards. A deal was struck between the new Donington Park owners and Bernie Ecclestone [...]

By: Vi84

Vi84 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:50:26 +0000

Last week Tilke had been in Donington to visit the venue. It was a thing to reflect on…

By: George

George — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:39:09 +0000

I have to say that I was hugely shocked to discover this. Looking beyond the bare facts of the announcement it may be that there are some politics at play. There is some interesting analysis on grandprix.com - http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20551.html. It’s not the first time this has happened - in 1999 Brands Hatch announced that they would host the race from 2002. Then they were bought out by Octagon and it all went pear-shaped. It’s also interesting that Moseley has publicly made the announcement for a number of reasons, which the article also speculates on.