Donington gets green light for Formula One

Donington Park to host F1 by 2010

EAST MIDLAND motor racing circuit Donington Park was today given the green light to proceed with planned developments, which will enable the venue to host the 2010 British Formula One Grand Prix.

Construction planning and design, which began six months ago, is now complete and a contractor has been appointed. Chief Executive Simon Gillett – who holds a 150-year lease on the circuit – has promised that “Donington will deliver”. He said:

“This is a major step forward and one more target delivered. I remain committed to approaching every stage of this development with the same passion and vigour with which we attacked the planning stage and I have endeavoured to ensure that the same is true of the people who will work with me on this project.

“My eye is always on that fixed end date of July 2010. I remain confident and positive that we can and will achieve everything that we have promised and I won’t rest until I am watching the British Grand Prix at Donington Park next year.”

Donington Park landowner Tom Wheatcroft: "I'm delighted to see that the plans have been accepted - there is a lot of work ahead now for everyone and I am looking forward enthusiastically to 2010 and the arrival of the British F1 Grand Prix,".

The statement mentioned nothing of the future of MotoGP at the circuit. Last year Visordown.com was the first to reveal new plans to move the British MotoGP race from Donington Park to Silverstone.