Future GP venues / Calendar Discussions

[Jiji_the_cat]

Donington given Time

video interview with gillet here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8034424.stm

Donington Park has until the end of June to satisfy planners over proposed upgrades to the circuit to enable it to stage the 2010 British Grand Prix.

Councillors handed leaseholder Simon Gillett a month's extension to clarify his plans for developing the track.

Gillett's company Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd also faces legal action over unpaid rent to the track owners.

But Gillett told BBC Sport: "We are 110% committed to making this happen and 100% confident that it will."

He added: "We have our little trials and tribulations but we are still confident the Grand Prix is coming to Donington next year.
   
"We know what is going on behind the scenes and there is a lot going on in the background that gives us confidence."

North West Leicestershire District Council gave Gillett's plans the green light in January but has now made it clear that unless certain crucial agreements are signed by 30 June then the planning permission regarding the planned £100m redevelopment will be revoked.

Before the development can get the go-ahead, Gillett needs the signature of circuit owner Tom Wheatcroft, and the leaseholder is optimistic that their dispute will be resolved in the coming weeks.

It emerged last month that Wheatcroft is seeking £2.47m in rent arrears from DVLL, who secured the 150-year lease in 2007, as well as forfeiture of the lease.

"We will be in a position to be able to sort that out very soon," said Gillett, who conceded the Donington development had been slowed by the global economic downturn.

"We are in in-depth meetings to button down the finances and you should see a resolution on this situation soon."

Donington Park secured a 10-year contract to host the British GP at the expense of current hosts Silverstone and is due to stage its first Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1993 in July next year.

Silverstone, which is owned by the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), stalled over signing a new deal and F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone was impressed by Gillett's plans to redevelop Donington.

However, Gillett's redevelopment has been delayed by a series of "trials and tribulations".

Firstly, the Motor Sports Association refused to grant the track a safety certificate which led to a cancellation of a number of events.

The debenture scheme to raise private investment was also due to launch at the end of March but has failed to get off the ground.

The legal dispute with the track owners, the council's concerns and the BRDC's insistence the race should return to Silverstone have added to Gillett's headaches.
   
I'm still working to the mantra that it's Donington or the Grand Prix goes outside of the UK

Despite the delays, Gillett is optimistic he can meet his self-imposed deadline of 1 April 2010 to revamp the track.

"We have a nine-month construction programme and that has never changed," said Gillett.

"We have always known we could construct everything we have to in nine months but we have the construction in hand.

"We need to be in a position to roll everything out by July 2009 but we are not panicking yet."

Gillett is determined to get Donington ready in time to ensure the British race, one of the sport's oldest Grands Prix, remains on the F1 calendar.

"I'm still working to the mantra that it's Donington or the Grand Prix goes outside of the UK," he said.

"We are here to try and save the British Grand Prix not to jeopardise it.

"At the moment the British Grand Prix doesn't have a home, we have stepped in and given it a lifeboat.

"Without the Donington circuit being available it would have gone already - we are here to make sure it stays here."

[Everso Biggyballies]

The only thing that is on Gilletts side, is that the constructor involved is tied into the deal (one of Gilletts backers) financially and so in effect although Gillet is behind on paying the constructor,  the constructor stands to lose more from not doing the work and the GP not happening than he does from downing tools on the job over non payment for work done.  Hence they are now on site 24hrs a day apparently.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Ecclestone: Donington could be postponed to 2011

It seems that Donnington the GP may not now happen until 2011, not the 2010 originally scheduled.  Bernie is talking of cancelling the GP for the year, but has not  ruled out the race staying at Silverstone for a further year


"If the work at Donington is not finished in time, we would be happy to skip a year," Ecclestone told The Times. "I don't want to lose the British Grand Prix — that's the last thing we want to do, but we aren't going to Silverstone for sure.

Seems to be a fairly large about turn in light of his previous stance that if it isnt at Donnington, it will be gone and permanently replaced by the Fatang Fatang Biscuit Barrel GP.

As far as Donnington goes he is seemingly the only person confident they (Donnington) have their finances under control..... although me thinks that this specific 'Donnington' have their finances in order might not relate to Gillett, currently in debt up to his eyebrows, and likely to lose his lease unless he pays rent owed since he took out the lease over a year agoto the Donnington owner Wheatcroft, one of Britains wealthiest men (and a good mate of BE)..

Ecclestone is positive about the plans at Donington Park. I cant help thinking that somewhere somehow, Bernie has, possibly with Wheatcroft, taken a financial interest in the GP itself...... This following quote from Bernie isnt in line with the financial assessment of Gillett in financial circles, and Gillett still hasnt released details of his now some months overdue public debenture scheme to raise the money.

He said: "I think they are getting their act together, I think they are gettng things up and running. The debt will be sorted out. It's not a problem and raising money is looking positive."

I smell we are not being told everything here.....

[Night crawler]

* Ecclestone gave his OK and will help Rome to “realise their dream”
* First it was intended to use more of the Cristoforo Colombo street, but after Hermann Tilke’s visit this project was changed and new track was mapped.
* Track: start on Tre Fontane street (where paddock would be build using rugby fields), left turn to Val Fiorita street going uphill to Colosseo Quadrato (Mussolini time monument), turn to the Cività del Lavoro street with a chicane on Agricultura square, right turn to Cristoforo Colombo street and up to Marconi square, U-turn at Marconi square around the obelisk at the widest radius (there is still a possibility that this turn will be further on Colombo around Palalotto building so that cars will pass the bridge over the lake), after turn back in direction of City centre on Colombo, right turn at Industria square, downhill to the left to Luneur park, left turn to the start/finish line.

First turn


Second turn


Hairpin at the monument


Final turn


From- http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/05/13/2012-rome-grand-prix-circuit-revealed/

Your views about the circuit??

[Eno the Wonderdog]

Mayaswell start playing video games if they're gonna bring rubbish like that in.

I hate street circuits (except Melbourne and the antique one)

[Oldtony]

Good, Bernie can take his F1 there and leave Monza for the new series for the real GP cars.

[ninwishes]

I know I'll get cyber beaten-to-death by OT, EB, and maybe Eno, but god, that could be pretty

That said, it's gonna be feckin' boring to watch, beyond the awesome photo ops...so screw it.

[SchueyFan]

looks like there will be zero overtaking...

[Bumble1290]

Looks like they copied one of the tracks from Grand Torismo.

[Jiji_the_cat]

as much as i love monza, and think it should stay, i love street circuits. so it gets a  from me.

[Oldtony]

I can see your point nin, but Rome having hosted Vatican 2, I don't think Valencia 2 is a great idea.

[Night crawler]

Rome Grand Prix track video lap-

[Eno the Wonderdog]

I've read that the area of Rome they want to use is actually very interesting as the architecture was all minimalist in a grandiose kinda way. 

Apparently it was pretty much built as the blueprint of the way Mussolini and his Blue Caps thought Italian cities were to look into the future.

[Mothers Worry]

Good, Bernie can take his F1 there and leave Monza for the new series for the real GP cars.

I totally agree. Monza should remain. His new series can have the streets of Rome.

Even if you discount a potential breakaway series; how much more can this pathetic little creep of a dwarf do to ruin the sport?

No more European speed circuits, another Bob the Builder street circuit. No more overtaking so the little prick can make more money.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Tifosi aren't getting something going right now to blow this little ****ers brains out.

........ Rome having hosted Vatican 2, I don't think Valencia 2 is a great idea.

Any time they want to hold a dwarf funeral, that would be okay by me.

[Eno the Wonderdog]

MW. Anyone would think you didn't like Eccles.. 

[Everso Biggyballies]

Any time they want to hold a dwarf funeral, that would be okay by me.

I'm sure it would just be a 'small' gathering.....

[Bumble1290]

Good, Bernie can take his F1 there and leave Monza for the new series for the real GP cars.

I totally agree. Monza should remain. His new series can have the streets of Rome.

Even if you discount a potential breakaway series; how much more can this pathetic little creep of a dwarf do to ruin the sport?

No more European speed circuits, another Bob the Builder street circuit. No more overtaking so the little prick can make more money.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Tifosi aren't getting something going right now to blow this little ****ers brains out.

........ Rome having hosted Vatican 2, I don't think Valencia 2 is a great idea.

Any time they want to hold a dwarf funeral, that would be okay by me.

Gee MW I'd hate so see what happens in your house when the misses burns the dinner 

[bpratt]

Rome Grand Prix track video lap-

Gee, they really didn't want to give us much of an idea of how the track really is meant to look, as they kept on swapping the views around all the time.

Reading the graphic, it talks about some 28 corners or something ridiculous.

Sounds to me like a real mickey mouse track.

[Mad Maper 13]

I think i rule needs to be put in place that to be eligible for an f1 race it must have some history, the first race must have been done over 10 years ago.

[Eno the Wonderdog]

Rome was actually invented quite a while ago according to my history teacher..