Donington to Receive Racing License This Week

A Renault R25 model testing at Donington Park

Having lost the right to host grand prix racing earlier this year, Donington Park is to undergo several track revisions during the course of this month in order to get their license back for the remainder of the season. The announcement was made by DVLL – venue leaseholders – president Simon Gillett, who said the changes were already put in place and are to be inspected by the Motor Sport Association on Thursday.

“We are bending over backwards to ensure safe racing is on track at Donington Park as quickly as possible,” Gillett was quoted as saying by the Derby Telegraph. The circuit had previously lost its racing license because of the reduced run-off at a high-speed section.

In addition, a spokesman for the Donington Park venue has also confirmed the track was still in pole position for hosting the 2010 British Grand Prix. Late allegations, confirmed by a lawsuit filed by track owner Wheatcroft & Son Limited to DVLL for unpaid rent, led to a potential scrap of the Donington track from the 2010 F1 calendar.

Simon Gillett & Co are still to convince F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that the track will be properly developed to the FIA-imposed standards for F1 racing in the months to come. However, should he fail to do that, it seems the British GP is in no danger of being axed from next year's schedule, as the race falls under the “traditional European races” category to be protected by the upcoming Concorde Agreement.

Under the circumstances, the British Grand Prix might move back to Silverstone, as announced by British Racing Drivers' Club president and former F1 champion Damon Hill.

“Britain is a key protected race. Everybody was sceptical about Donington from the start, yet we have funds here to improve our circuit and we are improving all the time. The FIA should also act responsibly for the health and well-being of the sport. Britain is a protected race and they should look after it,” said Hill.