Oct.10 (GMM) Donington’s hopes of hosting the British grand prix appear all but over, after boss Simon Gillett missed yet another deadline to demonstrate his financial ability to refurbish the Leicestershire venue.
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has put in place a sequence of missed deadlines in recent weeks, the latest of which was late Friday, and his patience may now be at an end.
Britain’s Daily Express and Times newspapers, as well as the PA news agency, all report that Donington’s absolutely last chance is now Monday, with traditional Silverstone to thereafter get the green light to prepare for next July’s race.
“It’s not good, is it?” Ecclestone told The Times.
“Even if they get the money, I cannot see how it will all be ready in time to go. It is very disappointing because we thought it would happen, but they cannot go on missing deadlines.
“They could still come to us saying they have the money, but there is no way the circuit would be ready at this late stage. It looks as though we will have to start planning again,” said the Briton.
PA quoted Ecclestone as saying: “The deadline is this weekend, and we will see what happens on Monday.”
Gillett did not comment.
