Bernie Ecclestone has cleared the way for the British grand prix to return to Silverstone next season after accepting as valid the circuit’s demand for a long-term contract to host the race if plans for Donington Park to take over fall through.
Ecclestone, the chief executive of Formula One’s commercial rights holders, today offered Donington another 14 days in which to generate the £50m it has pledged to raise to put on the 2010 British grand prix. That appears to be a final deadline before Ecclestone’s Formula One Management company returns to the negotiating table with Silverstone’s owner, the British Racing Drivers’ Club.
The BRDC will not accept a one-year deal to stand in for Donington and is insisting on a long-term contract to host the event.
“Donington are in breach of contract and they have 14 days to remedy that breach,” Ecclestone said. “We have an agreement with Silverstone that in the event of a breach we will talk to them and we will be discussing this.
“Of course it is no good for them [the BRDC] having a one-year job, for sure. We’ll talk to them and see but we won’t return to Silverstone under the same conditions. There’s nothing wrong with Silverstone; the only thing is they promised things that didn’t happen.” Guardian.co.uk
The British GP has been held for the past 23 years at Silverstone, which is on standby to host next year’s race if Donington fails to make the grade. Belfast Telegraph
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