Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has repeated his warning that if Donington Park is unable to host Grand Prix in 2010, then Britain will be left without an event on the sport’s calendar.
Work is ongoing at Donington in order to bring the venue up to the level required to take on an F1 event, but there are fears it will not be ready in time, with it set to take over from Silverstone as the home of the British GP from next year.
The F1 chief executive has inked a ten-year deal to see Donington upgrade its facility and begin hosting the race beginning next year.
But amid scepticism the circuit can deliver its promises for 2010, British motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart believes F1 should safeguard the country’s place on the calendar.
He thinks that if the Donington deal falls through, Silverstone should host the event by default.
But Ecclestone on Friday insisted that Donington’s failure would mean Britain no longer featuring on the calendar, perhaps for good.
His plan is for a 20-race calendar, but events in South Korea and India are already lined up, as are a group of prospective venues.
“We left there because I’m trying to improve facilities throughout the world,” he explained, “and when I get people to build new circuits to the standard which we’re trying to reach, how can we go back to Silverstone?”
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