He's not been able to say that for the last five or so years.

I had 2 tickets for the practice session tomorrow(work for Abbey) but couldn't get there though.

The British F1 GP moves to Donington from 2010, according to the BBC.

Love to know who is putting the money up for this - the track has to be radically altered and the pit and paddock facilities completely rebuilt. Probably going to cost more than it would have done to bring Silverstone up to scratch.

Don't be surprised if it isn't ready and Bernie uses it as an excuse to dump Britain off the schedules in favour of a lucrative night race in the Far/Middle East somewhere...

There's a fair bit of private money behind the scheme apparently (£100m+ over five years IIRC).

The improvements were on the way anyway if what I've heard was true, with Dorna (the people who run the MotoGP), supposedly narked-off with the facilities as well.

You're right though, Donington needs a lot of work (access to / from the place is a nightmare as well). Worrying times if Donington isn't anything but a complete success.

To be fair, access to Donington Park is no worse now than it was to Silverstone before they built the bypass, indeed if anything it's better.

Stick a couple of park and rides on from Long Eaton and surrounding towns for race weekend and it'll make it even easier.

They have a night race in Singapore in September I believe but to move the GP from Silverstone won't go down too well seeing as Silverstone has soent money on tarting the place up as Bernie wanted.

Isn't Bernie's gripe more to do with the BRDC rather that Silverstone as a circuit?

Bernie's gripe - just for a change - is about how much money Bernie can put in his pocket.

Each circuit pays to host a GP, and the amount the BRDC currently pay is way below what Ecclestone wants for future years (which is probably more than they can afford, given it is effectively a private members club whose sole trading income is GP tickets).

We're at a point now where the only places able to host GPs are going to be those owned by wealthy corporations, with rich private benefactors or generous state sponsorship, such is the cost.

I've been to both circuits on many occasions and I'd say Donnington is worse than Silverstone ever was.

As for the GP going there, I find it amazing that Bernie has spent year's slagging Silverstone off over it's facilities, then hands the race to a place that's far worse than Silverstone. It's going to take many millions to get the place anywhere near a good enough standard.

100m is apparently going to be invested over the next 5 years.

Last time I was at Donnington (which admitadly was about 10 years ago) I don't recall there being any grandstands or suchlike.

To be fair, my experience is based on four visits to Donington and two to Silverstone so it may just be I've been lucky on the Donington days and unlucky on the Silverstone ones.

Plus I did the Donington journeys on public transport and the Silverstone ones as a passenger in someone else's car...

They SAY £100m will be invested. Let's wait and see shall we.

As for grandstands and the like, there's not many at present. I can think of one small grandstand opposite the start/finish line, but not much else. The general spectator viewing areas, especially down by the Old Hairpin, are far better than Silverstone can offer, but us plebs aren't the sort of people Bernie and the gang are interested in.

melbourne has signed the contract for another 5 years of f1. but will need too start the race after 5pm . for euro tv rights

no night time start sorry bernie . bring it too sydney you faggoot

I was just going to mention that Austalia's sporting capital has secured the rights to stage the Grand Prix until 2015 and have, as a minor nation, moved the start time so that the civilised part of the world can watch it without getting up in the middle of the night. Still a very early morning start, but it's better than what we currently have.

Oooh, nice cast - it's all in the wrist action apparently.

mark webber has signed a contract aswell . too keep driving in f1

The paddock area was completly rebuilt last year but i agree there needs to be better viewing areas for the spectators. But i do think that donnington provides one of the best veiws in motorsport from starkeys cafe, there's nothing better than seeing cars and bikes heading through the crainer curves into the old hairpin through starkeys into mecleans

Very sad to see Silverstone go, but not surprised considering how much Bernie and his lapdog Mosley have had it in for that place for the last several years. However, Donnington Park is a decent choice, albiet at 2.5 miles, on the short side. Its good that there will still be a British Grand Prix next year as its intolerable to imagine a Formula 1 season without it. It would be like 1980 when the Italian race was at Imola rather than Monza. Although that said, the organisers should think about alternating venues,(Donnington holding it one year, Silverstone the next) like when Silverstone used to do with Aintree in the 1950's and with Brands Hatch until the 1980's, as next year, Germany and Japan will start alternating, with Hockenheim holding it one year, then back to the Nurburgring and Suzuka staging the race before going back to Mount Fuj respectively.i

you poms are 1 of the biggest f1 racing headquaters. where are your world class race tracks . ???????????

Coming from a small child who'se own country runs their only grand prix in a park.

They have to stop it every few laps to let the ducks cross the track.

well where are they

Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donnington.

Let's see:

Silverstone
Donington
Brands Hatch

Also, there are numerous other good quality circuits such as:

Cadwell Park
Castle Combe
Croft
Goodwood
Knockhill
Llandow
Lydden
Mallory Park
Oulton Park
Pembrey
Rockingham
Snetterton
Thruxton

HTH Small child. Isn't it nearly bedtime for you over there?

I hope that's answered Fredie's question. Asides from Mount Panorama, Phillip Island and temporary circuits in Adelaide, Melbourne (Albert Park) and Brisbane (Surfer's Paradise) where are Austrlia's world class tracks?

would silverstone be the closest too world class

sydney eastern creek raceway. hamilton is leading