Donington favourite for 2002 British GP

The circuit has been holding talks for the last four months with Brands Hatch Leisure, which owns the rights to the race from 2002 onwards, and a multi-year deal is now said to be on the table for BHL to place the event with Donington.

BHL is currently awaiting final approval from the government for rebuilding work to bring Brands Hatch to Formula 1 standards, but placing the race at Donington still appears the favourite option, regardless of the outcome. Donington, which hosted the European GP in 1993, is believed to have set a deadline of the end of August for a decision by BHL and its parent company, Octagon.

In the meantime, the Leicestershire circuit is pressing ahead with plans for a massive overhaul of its facilities, including a new pits complex and re-modelled access routes.

Donington boss Robert Fearnall told Autosport: "There's no hiding the fact that we're looking to upgrade the facility. The redevelopment needs to happen regardless of the GP issue - the circuit's 20 years old and needs upgrading for our current events.

"But we'd also be foolish to not prepare for the eventuality of having the GP if that is necessary for Brands."