British GP Could Go to Donington

A consortium seeking to promote the troubled British Formula One Grand Prix says the race could be held at Donington Park if a deal cannot be reached with Silverstone's owners.

"We are continuing our negotiations with the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club), but we have the funding in place to go ahead at Donington Park if need be," newspapers quoted Kim Cockburn, managing director of Brand Synergy, as saying.

"Wherever the race is, we will have to build a new pits and paddock complex so it does not make any difference whether it is at Donington or Silverstone, but obviously Silverstone would be our choice."

Donington Park hosted the 1993 European Formula One Grand Prix, won by Brazilian Ayrton Senna, and remains the venue for Britain's motorcycling grand prix. However, other parties expressed lingering doubts about the race's future and the possibility of racing at Donington.

Traffic congestion at the circuit adjacent to the East Midlands airport is severe during the motorcycle race and the facilities are basic even when compared to much-criticised Silverstone.

Brand Synergy, backed by former World Champion Nigel Mansell, said on Thursday that they had agreed a deal with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to ensure the British Grand Prix remained on the calendar.

Ecclestone said last week that the race would be struck off the provisional calendar because the BRDC, who own the circuit, could not meet his terms to promote the Grand Prix.

Governing Body

The calendar is due to be presented to the sport's governing body in Paris on Wednesday.

"I haven't heard from anybody at the BRDC but I have always said that I am prepared to sign a deal with anybody," the Times quoted Ecclestone as saying. "What happens at Silverstone is between Brand Synergy and the BRDC."

The Daily Mail quoted him as saying: "I have told her (Cockburn) to get the consent of the BRDC to use their circuit, then come back to me. I'm not interested in anything less than a seven-year contract as I don't want to be going through this every year.

"Trouble is, like most negotiations, it can take some time to get everything approved. Until that happens and the teams agree to an 18-race calendar in 2005, we have no deal and I cannot recommend Silverstone, although that is what I would like to happen."

The BRDC kept an open mind, saying in a statement on Thursday that they had yet to receive any formal submission and were continuing talks with Ecclestone and the British government.

"Additionally, there has been no independent verification of financial backing for their (Brand Synergy) proposal," it added.

Cockburn said the BRDC were quite right to take time to consider the proposals, adding however: "The fact is that we are going to have a British Grand Prix in 2005 and it will be promoted by us."