06/07/2008
NEWS STORY
Despite widespread speculation that Donington Park will never be up to the specified standard in time for the 2010 British Grand Prix, even if a mystery investor - thought to be short, wrinkled and sporting a dodgy haircut - is stumping up £100m in backing, circuit boss Simon Gillett insists that the Derbyshire track will be ready on time.
"There are no get-out clauses," he told BBC Radio 5 Live, "other than the fact we have to be at the suitable standard by that time.
"We have a plan, we have the investment ready so we will be there," he added. "If we're not ready, in the same way that if anybody else wasn't ready, then I'm sure Bernie Ecclestone would look to do something as he cannot jeopardise the Grand Prix. And as there aren't any other alternatives we will be there at 2010."
However, there are alternatives, and some insist that Friday's announcement of the Donington deal - curiously revealed by the FIA - is all part of Ecclestone's strategy in his continuing battle with the British Racing Drivers' Club, owners of Silverstone.
"I think everyone will be surprised at how little needs to be done to get Donington ready to host a Formula One Grand Prix," added Gillett. "We already host the Moto GP and host crowds in excess of 90,000. We have a track that is not far off from being suitable for F1 at the moment - we only ran a Grand Prix in 1993. We have to build a new pit paddock and infrastructure."
Referring to the speculation over Ecclestone's involvement, he added: "Bernie has not invested. Some of the rumours of a wonderful fairy godfather out there with a big chequebook are slightly off the mark.
"We are looking to start a fan-based debenture scheme, in much the same way that Wembley and all major the stadiums across the world are looking to use their fan power, and we'll use this to invest and develop the circuit."
The bad news for fans of the classic Derbyshire track, immortalised not so much by Senna's 1993 performance but by the 1930s appearances of the legendary Silver Arrows, is that Herman Tilke looks likely to be put in charge of 'revitalising' the circuit, the German having already made an exploratory visit to the track.