Formula One news

Ecclestone: There's no Donington

Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has ruled out any chances of Donington Park hosting the British Grand Prix next season. The Leicestershire circuit had won a 17-year contract for the race but, having missed a final deadline, its chances are now officially dead.

With Donington having hosted the European Grand Prix of 1993, the East Midlands venue was hoping to be part of the sport again in July next year although Silverstone is now the only hope the British event has of retaining a place on the F1 schedule.

"There's no Donington," Ecclestone told reporters plainly in the Yas Marina paddock on Thursday. "They've missed the (Monday) deadline which we'd kept extending for them."

With Silverstone waiting in the wings, it remains to be seen as to whether the British Grand Prix - seen in all F1 seasons since 1950 - will feature in 2010.

more news

• 29 Nov.
  • Piquet: Campos drive would suit team
  • Massa and Schumacher triumph in karting race
  • Schumacher wins Saturday Challenge of the Stars
• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming

Homepage