Oct.27 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has played down suggestions that Donington’s inability to stage the British grand prix next year could cost the circuit millions in penalties.
The track has also lost the MotoGP rights to Silverstone, made its facility almost unusable due to refurbishments that cannot be completed, and is facing “administration” due to debts, according to the Telegraph newspaper.
Moreover, documents relating to the recently failed loans funding scheme show that Ecclestone, F1’s chief executive, can claim 18m pounds sterling in “liquidated damages” if the grand prix bid falls through.
But the 78-year-old Briton told the Times: “No, there are no penalties — not at all.”
Ecclestone also said he does not regret entering into the 17-year agreement with Donington, with the future of the current venue Silverstone also under a cloud with just eight months until Britain’s scheduled race date.
“No I don’t regret it,” he insisted. “If they could have done what they said they were going to do, and what the contract said they had to do, it would have been good.”
