Bernie Has Given Up On Donington And Is Focusing On Silverstone
Date published : 29 Oct 2009 - 14:43:18
Despite Donington Park coming up with the £12million they had to pay Bernie Ecclestone's FOM, reports in Britain claim that F1 supremo has 'given up on the race taking place at Donington' and is talking with Silverstone.
Donington Park chief executive Simo Gillett had until midday on Monday to raise the necessary £12million required by Ecclestone's Formula One Management company.
And although reports claim it was paid, there, surprisingly if it is true, has been no official confirmation from Gillett, who earlier this month failed to his bid to launch a £135million bond scheme.
As a result, new reports suggest Ecclestone has turned his full attention to Silverstone in a bid to ensure that the British GP features on next year's calendar.
'It is understood Ecclestone's negotiations with Silverstone have intensified in recent days and it seems clear that the 79-year-old billionaire has given up on the race taking place at Donington,' the The Guardian claims.
"Nobody wants to talk about it for fear of jeopardising any possible deal," a Silverstone insider told the newspaper. "Negotiations are at a very delicate stage."
Ecclestone is believed to have offered Silverstone the same contract that the Northamptonshire circuit rejected just 18 months ago, a move that resulted in Ecclestone giving the race to Donington Park.
Added to that the F1 supremo has also stated on numerous occasions that F1 does not need a British GP.
However, at least one person in F1 believes this is just Ecclestone's way of dealing with negotiations.
"I absolutely don't think that Bernie is doing anything but maximising his own business interests," he said. "I don't think he is out to damage Silverstone in any way."
