Oct.27 (GMM) Contrary to widespread reports, Donington’s deadline to resurrect its flailing British grand prix bid is Tuesday, not Monday.
But it seems the Leicestershire venue has already given up all hope of staging the event, with formula one now removed from the 2010 ‘events calendar’ on the official Donington Park website.
Bernie Ecclestone told the Guardian newspaper that he did not want to prejudice the situation before the deadline officially passes, and Donington also would not comment.
The Times, however, said the British billionaire has said Donington’s chances are “over”.
Theoretically, Donington’s woe is good news for the race’s traditional venue Silverstone, but its negotiations with the F1 chief executive about a deal for 2010 and beyond are deadlocked.
The two sides are reportedly disagreeing about a small amount of money, and particularly the rate at which the promoter’s fee increases every year.
Silverstone owner the British Racing Drivers’ Club president Damon Hill said: “I’m confident a deal can be worked out.
“The contract can be of any combination of years, but it has to be affordable,” he told BBC radio Northampton.
