Donington Park has revealed the first official clues towards the redevelopment it intends to carry out ahead of its first modern-day British Grand Prix in 2010.
Donington Park has unveiled the facelift that it hopes will be in place in time to host the British Grand Prix in two years' time.
The Leicestershire circuit was awarded a ten-year contract to stage the race after Bernie Ecclestone and FOM ran out of patience with long-term host Silverstone. However, both parties admit that a lot of work will be required to bring the circuit up to current F1 standards.
While sceptics have suggested that Donington will need to find a similar budget to reach Silverstone's current level as is required for the historic airfield circuit to reach the current standards being set by the most modern venues, circuit bosses have insisted that they have a backer willing to fund the majority of changes.
Today's revelations confirm that the circuit will be extended into the infield beyond the Goddards hairpin, plunging downhill before returning to join the current start-finish straight. A new pit complex, however, will be built on what is now Starkey's Straight, with a bigger paddock housed on the infield behind it.
Circuit officials insist that events due to be staged at Donington next season, including the British Motorcycle Grand Prix and the World Superbike Championship, will be unaffected by the redevelopment, plans for which now have to be approved by North West Leicestershire District Council before work on the revamp can begin.
"The submission of these plans heralds the start of a massive re-development project and a new era for Donington Park," CEO Simon Gillett admitted, "It's an incredibly exciting time for everybody involved. We are delighted with the plans and, when the work is completed, we will have a facility that will be the pride of world championship motorsport."
circuit officials have said that they will not be making any further comment about the redevelopment until the decision on planning permission is taken in early November.
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i agree at least it keeps a gp in britain and donnington has kept more than its promises in the past so we will all just have to have a little faith and it is more central to the country as a whole.
There is still the problems of the nearness of the Airport. Although Brands is near to London, Biggin Hill, they manage to land light fixed and rotary winged aircraft and do not suffer the grip degradation caused fuel residue from overflying scheduled flights. Developed it would be a far better circuit than either of its rivals and Cadwell would be better still.
Must disagree, Jim Clark was the master driver. He drove every and anything and on the same, often Grand Prix day.
I think that the news of Donington recieving the rights to host the British Grand Prix was terrific news for the sport of Formula one. Donington hosted a round of the formula one championship back in 1993 where the great Grand Prix driver of all time Aryton Senna won the event in a McLaren Ford, Aryton drove a fabulous race in wet conditions. A revamp Donington venue will certainly be a big step up from Silverstone, Silverstone have had their chances but have failed to capitialize on those chances to upgrade the circuit and the facilities around the circuit. Silverstone over the years has lost its character due to changes to the circuit to slow down the cars. This has been a big mistake by those in charge of the Silverstone circuit, the older fast flowing Silverstone layout was one of the best circuits in formula one, and improving safety conditions to the circuit without compromising the layout of the circuit can and could have been acheived. Hockeinheim in Germany where the German Grand Prix was held on the layout on what some people may refere to it as a grand prix curcuit was a shame, the changes made to the circuit in 2002 destroyed the character and the history of that once awesome circuit, and I hope that one day that circuit will be restored back to its original layout. Donington needs to improve the circuit by maintaining fast flowing corners and long straights with tight hairpin corners to provide overtaking chances. A true Grand Prix circuit rewards the brave and test the cars capabilities. Donington must also provide the best and most technical advanced pit lane facilities ever designed and created. If Britain doesn't want a street race inside London and Silverstone keeps providing empty promises with trying to improve its facilities, Donington is the best option and chance that Britian has of maintaining a round of the Formula One Grand Prix Championship. I have one suggestion however,what about a street race in Bristol if all of this fails. DC.Bristow
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