Donington unlikely to be resurfaced

Several riders complained on Friday that the track surface in the wet had deteriorated badly and was now too dangerous for MotoGP.

The conditions, which have likely been contributed to by aviation fuel being dropped on the track by over-flying aircraft heading to East Midlands Airport, left some riders calling for a track resurfacing.

But after discussion at the Safety Commission meeting on Friday, the fact that the track was only resurfaced just three years ago means another overhaul is unlikely.

Rossi said: "A lot of riders come to me to say there was not enough grip, especially in the wet conditions. Usually we are 10 or 12 seconds slower in the wet, but on Friday it was a lot more. The reason is difficult to understand.

"The surface was new three years ago so that is not really the problem. Maybe the small problem is that the circuit goes up and down and maybe for the water it is difficult to go out of the track.

"In fact if you see the practice it remains too much water on the track. We try to improve these things, but it is not possible to make a new surface. We try also to close the airport but we don't have enough power!"

Capirossi believes one solution could be for specific corners at the track to be resurfaced, rather than the whole circuit.

"I think the track has improved a lot since last year," said the Italian. "Last year we had a lot of rivers on the track and this year it has improved a lot, but for sure the surface is really, really slippery.

"On Friday we had 56 or 57 crashes, which is a lot for one day. But we can discuss a lot, especially about the last corner before the front straight. That one is the most terrible we have, no grip, so slippery and the banking is no good.

"But the problem is the track was resurfaced three years ago and we have to wait. It is impossible to put a new surface on again."

MotoGP championship leader Casey Stoner was one of the most outspoken critics of the track surface, and has admitted he is worried about safety if it remains wet for this afternoon's British GP.

"A lot of the riders will say it is dangerous, but who cares? I haven't got a problem. I will still go fast, but I think everyone else's safety is on the line a little bit," he said.

"The track obviously has gone down in conditions over the last years and we have to see what happens."